Receiving a Royal visit and three awards in a day, manufacturer of wire joining devices Gripple will not forget November 18th any time soon.
The Sheffield-based firm welcomed HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, who officially opened Hog Works, the new facility of its sister company Loadhog, the reusable packaging innovator, and presented Gripple’s latest Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.
The completion of an expansion programme, Hog Works provides 250 per cent more space, incorporating Loadhog’s administrative, production and hi-tech washing activities and housing an additional new 1,700-tonne injection moulding machine.
Gripple may be the only Yorkshire company to be visited by three members of the Royal family. The Prince of Wales opened Gripple’s headquarters, The Old West Gun Works, and The Duke of York inaugurated Loadhog’s first home, which now accommodates Gripple’s agricultural sales team and facilitates increased production.
On November 18th, the company was also presented with the Best People and Skills Award in the Manufacturer of the Year Awards, recognising Gripple’s commitment to its staff and to their development, and with the Phillip Baxendale Award by the Employee Ownership Association, for promoting an employee ownership culture.
Gripple chairman Hugh Facey said: “The Duke of Edinburgh’s visit was a tremendous honour for both companies. I think it acknowledges all that we have achieved in Sheffield, and the acquisition of even more awards truly reflects the tremendous effort and commitment of our employees. I am certain that everyone present on this memorable day – customers, partners, suppliers, special guests and staff alike – will remember it for many years to come.”
