K&S McKenzie have taken the Small Family Business of the Year title at this year’s national Family Business of the Year awards.

The business, based in Carlisle, was founded back in 1968 and is currently run by brothers – and second-generation – Stuart and Alastair McKenzie.

When the business began life, there was a shortage of parts suppliers to the commercial vehicle market in the area and it was this opportunity that Keith McKenzie knew was too good to let pass him by. 50 years later and they are one of the most well-respected motor factors in the North West supplying a large range of products across the UK.

Stuart McKenzie was delighted to accept the award, adding that; “It is a fantastic achievement to win this award. I learnt from my father the value of seizing opportunity, having a fantastic supply and distribution chain, and importantly on never swaying from the values and focus on service that formed the foundation of this business all those years ago. It is this that drives us forward, builds our customer base, and makes us more than just a motor factor.”

“Winning this award is such a huge honour and is dedicated to each and every member of our team who has worked tirelessly over the past year, and every year preceding it. We are such a proud family business and couldn’t succeed without the support of our people and our customers.” concludes Stuart.

Paul Andrews, founder of Family Business United and organiser of the awards, concludes; “Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and these awards celebrate their contribution. This award in particular seeks to recognise the outstanding contribution of a small family business. K&S McKenzie first opened their doors over 50 years ago and have always put their customers first, continually invested in the business, and made a profit every single year since they traded.

Not only do they have strong family values and an ethos based on service, but this Carlisle based business supplies customers large and small from the very northern tip of Scotland to the south coast of England. Stuart and his brother Alastair work well together and grew up watching their parents build a successful business through hard work and good, honest service. This remains the way the business is run today with the company at the centre of all that they do.”

“This is a business with a long-term view, planning for the future with a great team who have dealt with all the challenges the events of the past year have thrown at them and with the next generation already involved has its sights firmly set on remaining in the family for generations to come and is a worthy winner of the 2021 Small Family Business of the Year award.” concludes Paul.