Blaze founders Howard and Ann Johnson

Blaze Manufacturing Solutions, which is headquartered in Blaze House at Laurencekirk, has been shortlisted in this year’s Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Northern Star Business Awards, in the Outstanding Contribution to the Energy sector category.

The awards, in their 12th year, recognise the excellence and achievements of businesses throughout Aberdeen and the north-east.

Blaze, which was established in 2006 by Howard and Ann Johnson, currently employs 32 full-time members of staff, including design and engineering teams, procurement, and business support personnel, and 67 sub-contractors working from its Laurencekirk HQ.

The specialist firm also has an engineering office in Kemnay, near Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, which focuses on specialist safety critical systems incorporating fire and gas detection and suppression. The firm also has a regional office in Great Yarmouth.

Since its establishment the company has continued to secure contracts with major names in the industry, resulting in a 500% growth in turnover since 2012 to £19m this financial year.

Blaze managing director Howard Johnson, said: "Since our establishment nine years ago, we have strived to make the business a success, and being recognised in the finals of the prestigious awards in recognition of our work in the energy sector at a time when the industry is experiencing a downturn, is a great achievement.

"Throughout 2015, we will continue to diversify our services in the safety critical systems division and build on the expertise of the engineering office and the specialist resources it offers."