The company is delighted with this recognition with what is seen as the premier business award in the North East. Managing Director Keith Wickham commented ‘This is a special award, even with the very high standard of the other finalists across a wide range of award categories.  To source raw materials locally, to cultivate a focussed and commiited workforce, to bring these together in a Team Valley factory, through lean manufacturing value is added, quality introduced and the essential element of risk is controlled, the goods sold worldwide, and foreign currencies returned to Gateshead.  I think that is very special’.