KNOWSLEY cushions king Tony Caldeira is in the finals of a national business awards that recognise forward-thinking firms with a £6m loan and a cash prize.
He, and Liverpool lubricants manufacturer RS Clare, are among five North West firms in banking group HSBC’s Business Thinking initiative.
They will travel to New York on a “Thought Exchange” visit to meet like-minded business thinkers and find out about international development opportunities.
On their return, the finalists will refine their business case and two companies will be chosen as regional winners, receiving up to £6m in lending and a financial reward of up to £120,000 each.
The overall UK winner will see their financial reward doubled.
Mr Caldeira began his career on a stall in Great Homer Street market and now has factories in Knowsley and China.
He also set up a retail operation with a string of high street shops in Southern England, and a sales office in New York.
