A company making pipe cleaners for a variety of specialist industries has landed a business award.

Hewitt & Booth, based at Turnbridge in Huddersfield, was named Business of the Month in the competition run by Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith in conjunction with the Mid Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and government export support arm UK Trade & Investment.

The company, founded more than 100 years ago, is part of the John Brierley Group, an old-established textile business which was started by the current owner’s great grandfather.

In the past, the firm specialised in manufacturing smokers pipe cleaners which at the time was a very large market.

As this sector has declined over recent years, the company has developed new markets and now operates in many different specialist areas including medical, engineering, laboratories, craft, sports, gardening and textiles. The craft market is the largest by turnover closely followed by the medical industry.

The judges were impressed by strategic development plans which have been put into place to help drive the business forward, including a business merger, ongoing training on a range of lean manufacturing techniques for all staff, recruitment of sales and marketing personnel and the launch of a new website and associated branding.

As well as being market leader in its field and the only one in the UK, Hewitt & Booth can offer turnaround times which are about a third quicker than those of their overseas competitors.

Managing Director Viv Jebson said: ”We are thrilled to bits to have won the Eaton Smith “Business of the Month Award. It’s great recognition for the abilities of the fantastic employees in this business to adapt to change as Hewitt & Booth has reinvented itself over time.”

The award is open to firms in Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Contact Ian Greenwood on 01484 821389.

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