Companies large and small involved in a wide spectrum of commercial activity have made the final cut for the 2015 Herald Scottish Family Business Awards, in association with Business Gateway.

Today we publish the shortlists for nine contested prizes in the fourth Herald family business awards, following a rigorous judging process.

Together with the award for outstanding contribution to family business, the winners will be announced at the Grand Central Hotel in Glasgow on December 2.

Entries were attracted this year from many businesses which have not previously participated. And a diverse range of companies put themselves in the running, from travel providers to retailers and bakeries. Judges were impressed by the contribution these businesses make to the Scottish economy, and by their focus on innovation.

Two family firms have made the short-list for three awards – Campbell & Kennedy and Wholesale Domestic. And four companies, PG Paper, Angels’ Share Glass, Three Sisters Bake and Auchrannie Resort, are in the hunt for two. Hugh Lightbody at Business Gateway, said: “Yet again the judging process was as difficult as ever but that simply highlights the high quality of all of the businesses that entered.”

Battling it out for Scottish family business of the year (small/medium) are Cameron Presentations, Little’s, Warranty Services and Wholesale Domestic. Alastair Christmas at sponsor Clydesdale Bank said: “I’ve been more than impressed so far by the standard of entries, and I’m certain that selecting a winner will be an incredibly difficult challenge.”

GAP Hire Solutions, John Mitchell Haulage & Warehouse, Mactaggart & Mickel Group and NWH Group are up for Scottish family business of the year title for large companies, sponsored by Craig Corporate. Tom Craig of Craig Corporate said: “Once again, we have been very impressed by the quality of firms nominated.”

The award for fastest-growing family business, sponsored by Business Gateway, will see Campbell & Kennedy, TOM Vehicle Rental, Warranty Services and Wholesale Domestic go head to head. Wholesale Domestic is also in the mix for the Business Innovation Award, sponsored by Campbell Dallas, alongside Anderson Maguire and Angels’ Share Glass. Fraser Campbell of Campbell Dallas, said: “This year the calibre of entries was extremely high, which is testament to the success of family businesses in Scotland.”

Burness Paull sponsors this year’s international growth award, which sees Angels’ Share Glass going head to head with PG Paper and Macdonald Sporrans.

Grant Stevenson, partner at Burness Paull, said the “ambition and innovation” show by the candidates was striking. “They are a real testament to what Scotland can achieve,” he said.

Campbell and Kennedy Apex Hotels and Arran’s Auchrannie Resort made the short-list for the customer service excellence award. Tom Aldridge at TL Dallas, said: “It was fascinating to learn about the family success stories stretching across Scotland – from Mull to Inverurie. Judging was deservedly difficult due to the calibre of entrants.”

The Grand Central supports the commitment to the community award, which will be contested by Campbell & Kennedy, PG Paper and Three Sisters Bake.

MDIVE Ltd, Mitchells, The Oak Tree Inn and Three Sisters Bake, have made the final for the rural family business award (small/medium), sponsored by the Supplier Development Programme. Chairman Chris Thompson said: “Rural family businesses are an essential part of the Scottish economy and we wish the best of luck to those in the final.” The short-list for the rural family business award (large) Pat Munro, Cobbs and Auchrannie Resort, while the outstanding contribution award will be presented by Strathclyde Business School. Strathclyde’s John Anderson said: “We were incredibly impressed by the strength and depth of the finalists.”