Held at the European Parliament in Brussels on 3 February, the "Europe's 500" awards included Benson Group for the first time, making number 122.

Manging director Mark Kerridge said: "The award was judged on which European entrepreneurial businesses had driven growth and employment levels.

"We are very proud of the fact we have won this award as a strong manufacturing business."

The company has grown from a turnover of £11m in 2002 to a mammoth £95m in 2010. Kerridge said that the company has plans to grow organically during 2011.

Award certificates were presented to representatives by former german chancellor Gerhard Scröder.

Benson Group is a privately-owned printed carton supplier that produces packaging products the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Group headquarters are at Benson Box, Bardon, Leicestershire, where it handles work for food manufacturers along with the company's two North East facilities in Newcastle and Gateshead.

The fourth site in Crewe, Medica Packaging, serves pharmaceutical and healthcare companies.

Clients include GlaxoSmithKline, Northern Foods, Reckitt Benkiser, Greencore, Bakkavör, Samworth Brothers, and supermarket chains.