Aston Manor Cider, the UK’s largest independent cider marker, is celebrating after winning the coveted award for the Best Manufacturer (Large) at the West Midlands Business Masters Awards 2015.

The family-owned business scooped the prestigious award at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham after being selected from the shortlist of major international businesses based in the Midlands.

Aston Manor Cider, who currently employs over 280 workers, was recognised last night for its growth and contribution to the local community.

The Midlands-based business has increased its production with a significant planting scheme which will add 350,000 trees to the landscape, expanding the number of acres that supply the business from 300 to 1,300.

In anticipation of thousands of tonnes of additional apples needing to be pressed, Aston Manor invested around £5m to date, with a further £2m planned for this year at a purpose-built fruit processing facility at Stourport-on-Severn.

On taking home the award, Gordon Johncox, managing director, said: “We were shortlisted in this category last year so to come back and win is incredible and is evidence of the continued and sustained progress we are making.”

“There have been lots of exciting developments over the last couple of years – including our largest ever planting scheme and all the new infrastructure being put into place to manage the extra supply – so this recognition is testament to the hard work we have put into becoming a successful and robust business, based in the Midlands.”

TheBusinessDesk.com editor Andy Coyne told the large audience at the black tie awards ceremony that the judging panel was impressed by the quality of businesses recognised.

“These awards make no apology for ‘bigging up’ our manufacturers and exporters. Without them there would be no regional economy.

“The winners and the short-listed firms in these awards are the best of breed and I heartily congratulate them on their success.”

Adding to its award wins, Aston Manor Cider also recently won four medals, including gold, at the acclaimed, International Cider Challenge 2015.

The awards, which celebrate the best tasting ciders, are given to individual cider brands which have been selected for their flavour, aroma and appearance by a panel of judges after a blind tasting.

Benchmarked against a wide range of other ciders, Malvern Gold won the gold medal, Crumpton Oaks won a silver medal and Frosty Jack’s Mixed Berry and Kingstone Press Pear both earned a bronze medal.