Most Mondays we share a profile of a Sandwell-based organisation, to shine a light on the talent in our borough.

Looking back at our profiles from 2018, we’re newly amazed by the specialist knowledge, accolades and diverse skills of our #madeinsandwell Monday stars.

This year we’ve showcased the world-class engineering capabilities of Barnshaw Steel Bending Group, cold roll-forming giant Hadley Group and civil and ground engineering company Forkers. We revealed how many of the sunroofs found in Land Rover Discovery and Evoque models are made in Wednesbury by Star Precision Tools. We also profiled commercial vehicle bodybuilder Bevan Group, which had recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and Fred Smith & Sons which builds, repairs and services trucks from three sites in West Bromwich.

We loved learning how Giffords Recycling of West Bromwich has turned unwanted wooden pallets into a multimillion pound business, even supplying bedding for the Queen’s horses.

In an uncertain year politically and economically, we have been heartened to see several of our #madeinsandwell Monday stars thriving and growing. Latham’s Security Doorsets in Oldbury, for example, made investments that are bringing a forecasted annual growth in turnover of 25 per cent. We’ve also showcased two of Sandwell’s fastest-growing companies, Esprit UK and Ian Smith Group.

We told readers about workwear suppliers Wizard Pro Gear and Supertouch; both in Smethwick, both keeping workforces protected and smart.

We have loved hearing about the high-profile clients Sandwell businesses have secured. Joinery firm Aspen Concepts, for example, has worked with John Lewis and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. Hinges and hardwear specialist A Perry has supplied Buckingham Palace, Wembley Stadium and Warner Brothers. It also has a contract with Aardman Animations to produce Shaun the Sheep statuettes.

We enjoyed writing about North Smethwick Development Trust and how it turned a dilapidated 1960s building into a much-loved community hub with a social enterprise cafe. Talking of food, we showcased Cradley Heath-based Manor Abbey Foods, which supplies to schools, cafés and businesses across the borough.

Also making us feel warm inside was the social enterprise Spinsonic Circus Academy, bringing circus into the community and making it accessible to all. And RTB Performance – a rehabilitation and injury prevention service which encourages people to become and stay healthy.

We celebrated Black Country ingenuity with this profile of Cradley Heath-based Enforce Technology, which went up against the Beast from the East to help clients at Forestry Commission Scotland.

Our profiles attempted to explain in layperson’s terms the specialist work of Johnson Test Papers, AME Pressure Diecasting and Majorsell. Among its accolades, the latter supplies repair kits to SpaceX, a company that launches air rockets and spacecraft in the US.

We often find that even very technical businesses have stories of human interest. Smethwick-based Mastervent, for example, supplies clipped ductwork in galvanised steel, mild steel and stainless steel. It also helps win gold medals from the Chelsea Flower Show. Hawthorn Trading Company in Wednesbury makes those crowd control barriers you find at big events.

Not all #madeinsandwell Monday features are about businesses. In February we featured Sandwell College for its excellent facilities that prepare young people in the Black Country for a lifetime of achievements. In September we wrote about the Oldbury Viaduct, giving a positive take on the repair work that was otherwise causing delays and frustration for motorists. Our final #madeinsandwell Monday of the year celebrated the new Lions of the Great War statue that now stands in Smethwick, commemorating people of all faiths from the Indian subcontinent who fought for Britain in the First World War and subsequent conflicts.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about our #madeinsandwell Monday stars this year. We’ve certainly enjoyed sharing their stories with you. If you’d like to take part in 2019 and have your organisation’s profile published here and shared widely through Twitter, read this.