This week #MadeInSandwell Monday is raising a glass to a trio of local organisations announced as joint finalists in the West Midlands 2020 Constructing Excellence awards – including our own Business Growth Team.

Doocey Group and Western Power Distribution (WPD) have been recognised alongside the Sandwell Council team for their exemplary community wealth building and supply chain stewardship aligned to the preparatory works on the iconic £73m Sandwell Aquatics Centre.

The trio’s joint entry in the innovation category of the awards is based on the progressive partnership work between civil engineering contractor Doocey Group and WPD, the electricity distribution network operator for the Midlands, South West and Wales. The two Tipton-based companies worked together to help SMEs collaborate and win work on local contracts, and also worked with Sandwell Council to access specialist business support for the SME supply chain through the Aim for Gold programme.

Founded in 1981 by Michael and Annie Doocey, the family-run Doocey Group has its head office on Watery Lane and main depots in Tipton and Cradley Heath. The company began with the installation of gas and water mains, but soon diversified into power distribution, working closely with WPD. Doocey Group now occupies sites in Kingswinford, Birmingham and Cambridge and in 2015 achieved a major milestone – laying a total of over 1000km of water mains.

Although the company serves the whole UK, it is still very much a family business and is very proud of its strong Black Country roots. Joint managing director Mark Doocey said: “We are delighted that we have been shortlisted in the innovation category, which demonstrates our progressive approach to community wealth building. We currently employ over 200 people, 90 per cent of whom live in Sandwell or the surrounding Black Country.”

He also added: “We buy and hire locally, creating wealth in the local supply chain. We support community events, donate time and sponsorship resources to local charities, and our commitment to workforce development allows us to retain and attract new talented people to the team. Doocey Group is very proud of its skilled engineers and proficient workforce.”

The Celebrating Constructing Excellence awards are highly regarded within the sector and taking home the innovation award would be a huge badge of honour for Sandwell. The winners will be announced at a high-profile dinner for more than 600 business leaders, held on Friday 10 December at Edgbaston Cricket Ground. The successful regional competitors will go on to represent the West Midlands in the national awards in 2021.

#MadeInSandwell Monday is a celebration of the talent and diversity within our borough. If you’re interested in being considered for a #MadeInSandwell Monday profile and having information about your organisation shared on Think Sandwell and through Twitter, read this.