E-corks, a Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise company, recently won the title of HSBC Company of the Year for 2011 with their product Corkie, during the award-giving ceremony held at the Phoenicia Hotel, Floriana.

Corkie is a durable and environmentally friendly pen-drive made from wine cork.

The team of five Junior College students will represent Malta in the Junior Achievement-Young Enterprise Europe Company of the Year Competition in Oslo, Norway, in August.

E-Corks also received the Playmobil Best Use of Technology Award, the Best Future Potential Award, and the Most Responsible Business Award. Company member Andrew Debono also won the Smart Achiever of the Year Award.

During the ceremony, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business Jason Azzopardi was presented with the John Harper Award for his assistance in providing new premises for the Junior Achievement Young Enterprise at The Point, Tigné, which will allow the organisation to extend its programmes and reach students at primary and secondary level.

Five companies competed during the finals ceremony. Junior College’s RA+, with their product Quabalitpic, an LED-lit photo frame made of glass and recycled wood, won the Farsons HR and Operations Award, the Adpro Excellence in Quality Award, the Best Presented Financial Statements and Profitability Award, and the MTV Mobile Best Presentation.

Spin from Verdala International School won the Misco Best Business Plan Award and the CIM Best Marketing and Sales Strategy Award with their novelty products made from recycled LP discs, while EFIE from Junior College won the Edward de Bono Most Innovative Product/Service Award for their cotton t-shirts sporting environmental quotes and made-to-order designs.

Dropless from Junior College sold a selection of shower timers which aimed to reduce water consumption and energy bills.