AN export packaging company in Meltham has scooped a national award from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Neal Brothers Ltd, with operations at Bent Ley Road, won the category for best purchasing initiative by a small-medium enterprise at the CIPS 2011 Awards.

The firm gained recognition for a programme of cost savings coupled with a corporate social responsibility initiative.

Under the leadership of Elena Selezneva, head of procurement, Neal Brothers developed and installed a timber purchasing and tracking system to cut material costs and comply with international regulations over traceability of source materials.

The system has now been rolled out in the company’ sites in the UK and Romania.

Said Elena: “The UK is recognised as one of the first EU nations to have a strong system and it is used as the bases now for several other EU and other European nations.

“Neal Brothers has introduced better control of waste and energy cost savings, coupled with a reduction in the company's carbon footprint.”

Judges recognised the innovative approach taken by the company with limited resources in a very demanding and challenging environment.

Other entrants included high-profile multi-nationals including AstraZeneca, DHL, Microsoft and Skanska.