NOMINATIONS are coming in thick and fast for the 2015 Clacks Business Awards.

Manfrini Accordions – a maker of bespoke, high-quality accordions and a professional repair service – is one of the latest nominees.

It has been put forward for the Outstanding Performing Business Award and owner Robert Rolston, who has more than 40 years experience in the industry, said he felt “privileged and quite excited” to have been nominated.

A few years ago, he decided to move overseas to expand his accordion repair business and while there developed the Manfrini Accordion.

He explained: “Manfrini Accordions started in 2008 when business became very difficult. I knew I had to do something, so I moved to Italy with the intent of making something new and something I had more control over.

“It took three and a half years to find all the right people to work with and get the manufacturing into place before we could come back to the UK to promote our new product.” Robert returned to Scotland in 2011 to promote his development.

Manfrini Accordions is now based at Alloa Business Centre, on Whins Road.

It has a number of well-known faces as customers, something Robert is pleased with.

He said: “I think I’m most proud of the fact that Manfrini Accordions has become well established as a quality instrument in the relatively short time of eight years with many professional players like Phil Cunningham, Donald Shaw and Mark Knopfler choosing our instruments over companies that have been around in excess of 80 years.

“We’re looking to expand into Scandinavia and increase our market share in the Republic of Ireland. Locally we’re looking to secure funding to put accordions into some of the Clackmannanshire schools and to provide a teacher.” How to enter: The Clacks Business Awards is a chance for you to earn your business recognition for its achievements and reward staff for making your company what it is.

Nominating your business could not be easier and what’s more, it’s completely FREE.

To enter, simply go to www.clacksbusinessawards.co.uk Entries are open across the six categories outlined above and the awards are open to businesses of any size across Clackmannanshire.

Our panel of expert judges will choose the winners across all categories.

Categories: Outstanding Performing Business Award This is the big one. For the company that can best demonstrate outstanding commercial performance or growth, with particular recognition given to innovation in products or processes.

Most Promising New Business Award It takes something special to make your mark in business. This award will go to a new Clackmannanshire business that best demonstrates an organic growth strategy and has achieved outstanding levels of sales, profit and market share improvement.

High Street Business of the Year Award We’re looking for a community champion. This award is for an established business which plays a vital role in supporting its local high street and serving the community in which it resides. It will reward a high street business by recognising the important bond with their local community.

Best Green Business Award Responsible and remarkable. The winner of the award for sustainability will be a company that can show a consistent commitment to social and environmental improvements as part of its economic strategy. It will have systems in place to improve resource efficiency, have capacity and responsibility to contribute to socio-ecological improvements, and engage with communities and other businesses to create a more sustainable economy.

Best Not-for-Profit Organisation Award Selfless serving. From public sector agencies to the third sector – charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations of all shapes and sizes – Clackmannanshire has them all. This award is to recognise the incredible work they tirelessly undertake.

Food & Drink, Hospitality and Tourism Industry Award A Wee County welcome. The food, drink and hospitality award will go to the establishment which not only achieves excellence in the service of meals and refreshments and/or providing accommodation, but demonstrates a unique, customer-focused approach and actively encourages people from outside the Clackmannanshire area to visit the County.