What More UK, the UK's largest manufacturer of plastic housewares, storage and garden products, has been awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2014 - the highest accolade in business success.
Her Majesty will officially grant the award at a reception at Buckingham Palace on July 14, and the company will hold the award for five years.

Director Tony Grimshaw spoke of the Burnley-based company's "immense satisfaction and pride" in having won the award, which he said was "only granted to businesses that can demonstrate outstanding levels of excellence.

"The award goes to all 165 employees who have all helped to win this outstanding business award. We presented the story, but it was the whole company that wrote it."

Amongst other individuals and organisations he also thanked the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) for its involvement in the nomination for the award, and What More's suppliers and customers.

What More currently exports to 48 countries including the Far East, and last year opened a 100,000sq ft distribution facility - the first phase of an £8m expansion plan that will shortly be followed with another 88,000sq ft construction on the same site.

Both developments are enabling the company to bring its manufacturing and distribution operations under one roof, taking the total space to over 450,000sq ft.

"We can't wait to fly the Queen's Award for Enterprise flag outside our headquarters," Mr Grimshaw added. "This award gives us the confidence to continue investing, not to mention the recognition this gives to the manufacturing prowess of Lancashire and the north west of England."