MEDIA RELEASE

Specialist Somerset manufacturing company receives Queen's Award from Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset

06 September 2018: Jo Bird, a company specialising in the design and manufacture of storage cabinets to protect vital lifesaving equipment, today received its second Queen's Award in the space of five years from the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset.

Handing over The Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation to MD Guy Atkins, Mrs Anne Maw, Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, praised the skills and commitment of everyone in the company and expressed admiration at the precision and ability that went into the manufacturing process.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious business awards to celebrate and encourage business excellence. Out of 1.8 million companies in the UK, only around 200 receive a Queen's Award. The accolade was particularly welcome at Jo Bird's HQ in Highbridge, Somerset as five years earlier the company received its first Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. The company exports its products across the globe to over 30 different countries.

Today's Queen's Award in Innovation recognises the redesign and manufacture of a range of fire safety cabinets. Jo Bird has employed the latest technology to develop these products to protect vital safety equipment in hazardous environments. In doing so the company has also achieved the remarkable feat of doubling productivity. Managing Director, Guy Atkins, commented, "We have also seen the improvements and adjustments made to the manufacturing process have resulted in a more involved and happier work force."

Local Cllr. Anne Fraser, MBE, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Sedgemoor District Council, commented on the company's achievement: "To receive the accolade of The Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation is richly deserved and Sedgemoor are proud to have such an aspirational and successful company in their District."

Guy continues: "We are the internationally recognised leader in the design and manufacture of life saving and fire safety equipment storage. This innovation enhances our reputation as the market leader in quality and in being at the forefront of design in our market. Being successful in winning a second Queen's Award for Enterprise is a huge achievement and could not have happened without a substantial investment in skills and training as well as the ambition, determination and hard work of our staff."

Picture Captions:

1. Jo Bird staff and guests delighted as the firm receives Queen's Award from the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset

2. Jo Bird has employed the latest technology to develop a product that saves lives

For more company information contact Guy Atkins, T/:01278 785546 or E/:guy.atkins@jobird.co.uk     or visit:www.jobird.co.uk.

For further information and high res images or to request interviews with Guy Atkins, MD of Jo Bird, please contact Jane Adkins, A Head for PR, T/: 01935 813114 or E/:jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Editor's Notes:

Since its establishment in 1986, Jo Bird has developed its products to meet the demands of a range of industries and environments. Its Firebird GRP cabinets and Toughstore cabinets are used by clients around the world, including multinational companies such as BP, Shell, Exxon Mobil and Total. Jo Bird also operates in the energy sector (offshore wind, oil & gas, refining, power generation), as well as marine and defence. The company is also able to custom make cabinets to protect equipment as small as a smoke hood and as large as 120 lifejackets.

Uniquely among UK manufacturers, Jo Bird has been awarded Lloyd's Register Type Test Approval for many of its lifesaving and fire safety storage solutions. This, together with the ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications, serves as an independent endorsement of the quality of its products.

Sept 2018 (JB 02 Local)