Two companies, both from the North West, have won the 2004 UK Business

Excellence Award, the UK's top business award.

This year's winners, Siemens Automation & Drives, based in Congleton, Cheshire, and United Utilities Facilities Property & Services, based at Warrington, Cheshire, were chosen by an independent awards jury for their exceptional performance and increased competitiveness.

Siemens Automation & Drives, which manufactures electronic motor controllers and drives, has shown a five-fold increase in profits over the past four years. Some 98% of the company's production is exported to over 60 countries.

Facilities and Property Services (FPS) is the specialist facilities, property and real estate management arm of United Utilities. The company manages one of the largest and most diverse land and property portfolios in the UK, including a wide range of commercial properties such as offices, depots, retail premises and business parks.

Recognised as the toughest and most prestigious business awards, previous winners have included: Rolls-Royce Airlines Operations; NatWest Insurance Services; Nortel Networks; Hewlett-Packard (UK); Rover Group, and TNT Express.

Commenting on the 2004 winners, Joe Goasdou, Chief Executive of the British Quality Foundation, said: "Entering for a UK Business Excellence Award is one of the toughest tests any organisation can take. This year's winners are living proof that the UK can produce world-class companies."