Sheffield Firm Scoops Hat Trick of Awards

Phil Black - PII Editor 16/12/2015

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Parker PEGL Ltd, the parent company for Bestobell Valves, is celebrating securing three prestigious regional business awards

The Sheffield-based firm, which earlier this year secured a Queens’ Award for International Trade, won the Manufacturer of the Year and Outstanding Business Awards and Business Person of the Year Award went to Marie Cooper, Finance Director.

The awards were presented at Ponds Forge International Sport Centre in Sheffield at a special ceremony attended by over 700 guests. Parker PEGL faced stiff competition, with dozens of companies entering each of the 14 categories at the awards, before judges narrowed it down to a 60-strong shortlist. The winners were announced by BBC Look North presenter Harry Gration.

Mark Henley, Managing Director at Parker PEGL, said: “We are so thrilled to have won a number of these prestigious awards. This has been a tremendous year for the business and these latest awards really are the icing on the cake! There is nothing better than achieving an award in our own home town and we would like to thank all our staff for their efforts in making this possible.”

Parker PEGL impressed the judges with how the company has invested in its manufacturing operations, which has enabled it to complete several machining tasks more cost-effectively and efficiently.

It has also invested in rapid prototyping equipment to bring new products to market more quickly. This has led to many innovations, including developing a high-pressure valve range for the international marine market to meet new environmental legislation.

Judges awarded Parker PEGL the title of most outstanding business for the way it has invested in bringing its manufacturing operations back to Sheffield and in expanding its design and engineering teams, which has helped it to become renowned as one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cryogenic valves.

The company also demonstrated how, now it is part of Parker Hannifin, it plans to further invest in its manufacturing base in Sheffield.

For the Business Person of the Year award judges commended Finance Director Marie Cooper on her leadership skills and her instrumental role in ensuring the company could meet its growth aims, through effective financial management.

This had a huge impact on the business in terms of achieving the financial support the business needed to increase its trade in the international markets and retain the working capital requirements with the implications that large new Marine projects brought to the business.

Marie Cooper, Finance Director at Parker PEGL, said: “This is a real honour to be recognised in my home city with such a special award. I will remember this evening for a long time!”