For companies to achieve the BPIF Seal of Business Excellence, which was launched in July 2011, they must pass three stringent audits which examine their HR, health and safety and environmental management policies and practices.

The audits, carried out on site by the BPIF, consist of a series of interviews followed by practical inspections to verify the information provided.

Wales-based Pensord – the so far the only printer to achieve the best practice standard - achieved the BPIF’s HR accreditation in January, followed, in the last couple of months, with the assessments for health and safety and environmental management in which the company scored 99% and 98% respectively.

Managing director Darren Coxon said it was a terrific result: "It’s really an endorsement of our team here from the bottom to the top, and what great work we are doing together.

"There are so many people behind the scenes who do less glamorous jobs like keeping us inline with policy and legislation and this is a real achievement for them too. If you aren’t on top of that kind of stuff it can be very expensive and potentially devastating for your business."

To maintain the Seal the firm will be re-assessed in each department every two years. Coxon said: "Having attained such high scores, it’s now going to be very challenging to maintain and improve on them, but I’m confident that we can."

The achievement comes on the back of a series of successes for Pensord which have seen the printer secure a £150,000 grant from the Wesh Assembly Government in September last year to fund the training of 50 members of staff and in January this year the firm scooped a top manufacturing award.