Tech firm with the X factor claims region's top prize

A COUNTY Durham tech company which is making waves in the space sector has triumphed as the Business of the Year at the grand final of the North East Business Awards.

- By COREENA FORD

The win tops a stellar trading period for Filtronic, which is enjoying a transformative time on the back of its radio frequency technology products which have grabbed the attention of Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The company, which also has operations in Leeds and Cambridge, has seen its partnership with Mr Musk's business expand, allowing deeper collaboration between the companies having struck an initial ($60m) agreement over a year ago.

Filtronic last month extended its agreement allowing SpaceX to buy shares in the company, having sealed its biggest order to date for its cover E-band GaN productsa contract topping $62.5m (£47.3m).

The NETPark-based business won the final trophy of the night at the black tie event at Hardwick Hall - the 25th final of the North East Business Awards - where hundreds of its peers gathered for the largest awards night in the region's business calendar. It edged out fellow regional winners Advantex Network Solution and CF Fertilisers UK Ltd to take the coveted award.