A KEIGHLEY company has been shortlisted for a coveted regional accolade.

Viking Industrial Products – which distributes tapes, adhesives and abrasives – is among the finalists in the Yorkshire Family Business of the Year awards.

The honours scheme is organised by Family Business United, recognised as a leading online magazine and resource centre for family firms in the UK.

Viking, which is based at the Coronation Business Park in Hard Ings Road, has Colin Bennett at the helm as managing director – with wife Pat purchasing director and daughter, Melanie, operations director.

Since it was established in 1989, the company has dealt with global technology giant 3M and has become a strategic partner.

It is also the leading online supplier of 3M products in the UK and ranks among its top three performers overall.

Viking's core operating areas are West, North and East Yorkshire, but last year it opened its first branch office – at Manvers, near Rotherham – to service business expansion across the south of the county.

And in October it made its debut at the Northern Manufacturing & Electronics exhibition in Manchester, the biggest event of its kind in the north.

Paul Andrews, founder and managing director of Family Business United, said there was a high standard of nominations in this year's awards.

He added: "We are delighted to be able to pull together a vibrant bunch of family businesses, some that have succeeded for numerous generations and continue to thrive and others that are relatively young but have great values at the heart of what they do."

All shortlisted firms are automatically entered into the People's Choice Award, which is determined by a public vote, and an overall Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year will be selected by a panel of judges.

Winners will be announced at a gala reception at London's May Fair Hotel on June 11.

Visit familybusinessunited.com for further information about the awards and an online voting link.