Saville Audio Visual, of York, was voted AV Rental Company Of The Year for the fourth time at this year's annual AV Industry Awards, held at the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales.

Now the UK's largest AV company, Saville provides audio visual equipment hire and conference facilities through a nationwide network of 15 centres with headquarters in Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton.

Accepting the award, managing director John Sills said: "The competition gets tougher every year so we're very proud to win this again. It's a tribute to an outstanding year's effort and commitment from our entire rental team."

Saville conference and hire division is now the company's most profitable and fastest growing business sector, with turnover up by 15 per cent to £7.8 million.

Investments have been made in new equipment, including widescreen digital projection, plasma displays and portable XGA projectors, as well as opening new premises at Coventry and Liverpool and refurbishing others.

Saville's creative events service has been boosted by the acquisition of Scapegoat, the former York-based conference design company.

In February, Saville was also named Best Conference Equipment Supplier at the Meetings & Incentive Travel Industry Awards.

The company provides stage sets, lighting and multimedia graphics for many events in the region.

Updated: 10:59 Monday, October 25, 2004