28 January 2015

Jubilee® scoops prestigious ‘Manufacturing Award’ first time!

Jubilee<sup>®</sup> scoops prestigious ‘Manufacturing Award’ first time!

2014 represented the 30th year of the Medway Business Awards, the most prestigious event for businesses in the unitary authority. 

Medway is the largest conurbation south of London in the UK with over 260,000 inhabitants and an economy driven by manufacturing, with the sector contributing a third to the area’s GDP.  This makes life particularly tough for the judges of the competition in the manufacturing category.  As a first time entrant Jubilee Clips were not expecting an immediate breakthrough, but that is exactly what they got, scooping the award for manufacturing at the first attempt.

Medway Business Award 2014 (Large)

The judges consider a range of factors in determining the winners and although Jubilee has a rich history, having been based in Medway for 93 years, it was the present and the future that really impressed the panel.  Targeted export growth in recent years and the wide spread of export markets, proving that Jubilee Clips is a global player, caught the attention of the judges with 12% growth to European markets in 2014 and an impressive 20% growth to markets further afield.  The judges were also inspired by the ongoing investment in technology and the in-house machine building programme, increasing automation and keeping the business at the cutting edge of technology and efficiency.  Of high importance to the judges was the Jubilee apprentice scheme which proactively recruits and trains the next generation of engineers.

The awards were presented by BBC news reader Rob Smith at a gala dinner held at Gillingham Football Club at the end of 2014 attended by local businesses and dignitaries alike.  It wasn’t just the judges who were impressed by the Jubilee Apprenticeship scheme, one of the attendees, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, Rehman Chisti was so impressed that he arranged a visit to the factory himself.  He wasn’t disappointed and was keen to share his experience in a commons discussion on Business Innovation and Skills congratulating, “businesses such as Jubilee Clips on providing excellent engineering apprenticeships,” a point supported by the Minister for Skills and Equalities, Nick Boles, “Businesses such as [Jubilee Clips] are leading this country into recovery and ensuring that that benefits everyone”.

MD Ian Jennings was delighted to receive the award; “Obviously recognition of our efforts and achievements such as this is very rewarding, not just for Jubilee Clips, but also our suppliers and customers and to receive a mention in Parliament was pleasing too, but it doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels, we will continue producing the finest hose clip in the world and delivering it with service to match.  The award is a credit to the whole team and a by-product of the hard work that happens here every day and that will continue to happen here every day.”