THE shortlist for tomorrow night's annual Daily Post Regional Business Awards reflects the immense range of business activities going on in the city. The task of drawing up the shortlist, printed below, was made all the more difficult for our panel of judges due to the high level of entries received this year. In total, 75 entries were received for the seven categories that have shortlists. The winners of each category will be revealed at a black-tie awards evening at St George's Hall tomorrow evening. The shortlist is: New Business of the Year: STS Boats, which has exploited growing interest in canal holidays, Break Bread, an innovative gourmet food home delivery service and Taxi TV, which is introducing video facilities into taxis in a number of cities around Britain. Exporter of the Year: Eli Lilly. The firm's Speke factory has been shortlisted because it sells products to Eli Lilly's worldwide network of pharmaceutical factories. An example of the type of employer that is key to the future of the region's economy, the Speke factory makes the company's entire global supply of biosynthetic human growth hormone. Powder Systems: Export orders account for 85% of the company's output. From its Speke premises, it makes and sells laboratory equipment to all corners of the earth, including a diverse range of linguistic markets. Getrag Ford: Situated next door to Jaguar's assembly plant, this is a major driving force in the Merseyside automotive industry. Around 95% of the transmissions it makes are exported. Like its near neighbour, it is one of the most efficient plants in the UK car industry. The Mersey Partnership Investment of the Year Award: Grosvenor: The property developer has been nominated for its huge programme of work commenced late last year that will see £850m of investment pour into Liverpool city centre. Once finished, the 1.5m sq ft of new retail space is expected to add £500m a year to local gross domestic product and create thousands of new jobs, as well as single handedly transform the appearance of the Liverpool shopping district. Arvato has invested 170m euros to build a new print plant at Speke. The judges were impressed by the huge scale of this commitment and the fact that it will create 400 new jobs. It is the second significant investment in the region by Germany's Bertelsmann group. Computer Science Corp i s another example of a blue chip company coming to Merseyside. A leader in its field, CSC is a prime example of how inward investment can contribute to the growth of the local economy. Employer of the Year: Coulter Hurst & Co was seen by the judges as an example of a small firm that has taken the time to invest in its staff training while coping with rapid growth. It has shown creativity and innovation across a range of areas. Total Glass: This firm has maintained focus on training despite being in a highly competitive market sector. It is demonstrating commendable social purpose by recruiting people straight from government employment schemes. Eli Lilly; A major international operator this firm demonstratesa comprehensive approach to career development. With strong links to local universities, it recruits and retains top talent within the region. The University of Liverpool sponsored Corporate and Social Responsibility Award: Medicash: This is last year's winner nominated again demonstrating a sustained commitment to CSR by both the company and its staff. Jaguar has a wide ranging commitment to corporate and social responsibility in its broadest sense, underpinned by its local activities. AVI: This company puts CSR at the heart of its operations ina creative and innovative way. Liverpool John Moores University Business Liverpool Small and Medium Enterprise of the Year: Chums: This company hasa terrific track record sustained over a long period of time. It has strong margins and has realised its job creation potential. Total Glass: Has shown continued investment despite difficult market conditions. This firm aspires to excellent with service standards and the judges were impressed with the way its exploiting overseas potential. Crystal Clear is an innovative company with strong and visionary leadership and outstanding marketing. KPMG Company of the Year Award: VLM: Following its arrival in the city last year, VLM continues to show commitment to the city and has aspirations to expand its services further. Bibby Group This long established company appealed to the judges because of its 200 year track record of investment. It has also undertaken in recent years a major broadening of its activities into financial services. Getrag Ford This business is successful on several fronts. Exporting most of its output overseas and employing local people in highly skilled jobs, the plants success is another example of Ford's longstanding commitment to the area. | 
