THE Excellence in Innovation Award sponsored by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Liz Lean PR is open for entry for the second year.

Judges will be looking to add another innovative company to the impressive list of winners in the Dorset Business Awards, in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo.

This award is open to all Dorset-based organisations with a BH or DT postcode. The innovation must have been launched or implemented within the last three years.

The winner will be able to demonstrate the development of an excellent innovation, which could be a new process, product, service or technology.

Last year, this Award was presented to Weymouth-based Permavent Ltd for developing the revolutionary Easy Roof System.

Stephen Makin, director of Permavent Ltd, said: “Winning this award was great for team spirit and camaraderie. After the many minutes, hours and days spent developing the Easy Roof System, we were thrilled to be recognised for our achievements.

“The award has definitely helped to raise our profile locally, and having the opportunity to attend the evening ceremony meant we were able to meet other likeminded business people and entrepreneurs.”

Ian Girling, chief executive of DCCI, said: “Innovation is a new idea, a more effective device or process. It can be defined as something original, more effective and new that ‘breaks into’ the market or society.

“We are on the search to hear about exciting breakthroughs or changes in thinking which have made a real difference to how a business performs.”

Liz Willingham, managing director of Liz Lean PR, said: “Organisations that can innovate are those that know how to harness the knowledge and creativity of their staff to force the pace in their chosen field. Dorset has many diverse examples and we are looking for those that do this best and therefore contribute to the region’s economy.”

Entrants should include details of:

• The innovation and why it should be celebrated

• Research and development prior to launching the innovation and how this influenced development

• How the innovation has impacted on the business

• How the innovation may impact the industry sector as a whole

• The next level for the development of the innovation

The awards are also backed by Wave 105 and are free to enter. Details are at dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk and the closing date is Friday September 11.

For information about the awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner at the BIC on Thursday November 26, contact Lorraine Hubbard on 01202 714810.