OKEHAMPTON-based employees of Owen Williams Engineering Consultancy were thrilled to hear the company named Consultancy of the Year at a ceremony last month.
Owen Williams swept the board to receive the prestigious award at London's Claridges Hotel on March 26.
The firm's Okehampton branch, on Exeter Road industrial estate, is responsible for the assessment of Network Rail structures, including bridges, tunnels and walls right across the South West.
Area project manager Nick Keat said: 'We were thrilled to hear that the company had received the award.
'It shows everyone is working well together — we are a very client-based environment and clearly that has paid off.
'The Okehampton branch is growing, along with the rest of the company.
'We opened in 1997 having obtained a four-year contract with Railtrack, that was extended for a further two years until last year when we won a ten-year contract from new track owners Network Rail.
'In that time our staffing levels have increased by a third and our client base has increased as well — it's great that we have received recognition for that.'
Owen Williams chief executive Richard Williams echoed those sentiments: 'I am delighted we have won this award — it is a great achievement that sums up the dedication and enthusiasm of everyone in the company.'
Antony Oliver, editor of trade magazine New Civil Engineer, who sponsored the ceremony, said: 'Last year was defining for Owen Williams — the company showed great business growth in 2003 and demonstrated that it was far more efficient than it was 12 months ago.'
The company is a huge success story nationwide, having generated hundreds of new jobs in the last 12 months and increased turnover by 50% in the last three years.
The firm saw off 300 other contenders to become Britain's top civil engineering consulting group and now has a crystal trophy as a permanent reminder of its success.