Leeds-based Northern Flags and its sister company FaberExposize UK, and Kingston-upon-Hull-based Kingston Carton Company are both up for Manufacturer of the Year (Under £25m) in the Made in Yorkshire Awards.
Northern Flags is also nominated in the scheme’s Apprentice of the Year and Training Scheme of the Year categories.
Commenting on the company’s Manufacturer of the Year nod on LinkedIn, Northern Flags managing director Iain Clasper-Cotte said: “What can we say other than so proud of the team! We have only been manufacturing in the UK for five years. Historically we brought our print in from our sister companies in Europe and Asia.
“Now we operate the most modern wide-format facility in the UK going from strength to strength – leading the move to green display products.”
Kingston Carton Company serves sectors including healthcare, food, and beverage. Established in 1917 and operating from a four-acre site, the business employs more than 60 staff and runs two Manroland presses, and Bobst cut and crease machines.
Purchasing manager Mark Wilson told Printweek: “As an independent manufacturer that has been trading for over 100 years, we are extremely proud to be shortlisted for this award. It is testament to the hard work and dedication of our colleagues, many of whom have been part of the business for more than 40 years.
“This [recognition] comes on the back of significant recent capital investment, in order to keep ourselves at the top of the industry in terms of quality and service.
“Whilst high quality machines are a benefit to our production, they would not be able to produce a high-quality product without the skill of the workforce we have in place.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, Wilson said the business manufactured cartons for over 12 million pieces of PPE.
“In addition to supplying the packaging, we purchased several thousand pieces of PPE ourselves and packaged these to give away free of charge to help play our part in the fight against Covid-19.
“Our sales have increased during the past year and we have increased our production capacity, logistics fleet, and workforce in line with this growth; taking on three apprentices aged 17 years old. We feel privileged to be able to offer apprenticeships and jobs to local people at a time when many jobs are being lost throughout the UK.”
The Made in Yorkshire Awards celebrate world-class companies based in Yorkshire and the Humber, and the products they are making in the region and selling across the world. Winners will be revealed at a black-tie event at the Hilton Hotel, Leeds on 29 July.
