Valley business duo celebrating Queen’s Award

TWO Valley firms are celebrating the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020.

Orthoplastics Ltd, of Bacup, and Slingco Ltd, of Facit, Whitworth, were both named as award winners in the London Gazette.

In its 40th anniversary year, it is the second time in four years that Slingco Ltd has received a QAE award in the international trade category. The company, based at Station Road, supplies products that make installation and support of industrial electrical conductor, cable and hose, easier and safer.

The company delivered outstanding overseas sales growth over the last three years of 178 per cent.

Managing director Nick Dykins said: “We were incredibly grateful and honoured to win our first Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade four years ago and are doubly so today. A very special thank you must go to our employees and their families, this award being recognition of the hard work, dedication, and skills of our people. I also want to express our sincere gratitude to our loyal customer base and supply chain partners, without whose support this award would not have been possible.”

Implantable plastics firm Orthoplastics Ltd, based at Grove Mill, started trading in 2005 and has a workforce of 187. The company entered new markets in India, China, Turkey and Brazil during the application period, virtually doubling overseas sales in three years. A new £3.5m manufacturing facility has been constructed for the firm at Plot 5, Futures Park by Barnfield Construction in conjunction with Rossendale council.

Managing director Mark Allen said: “Winning such a prestigious award confirms that Orthoplastics is a leader in the manufacture of medical-grade plastics for the medical sector. The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is the highest accolade for British businesses, bringing with it a host of new opportunities and recognition nationally and internationally.”