Paul accepts Quuen's Award

Paul Bentham and his wife Renata, with two children Erica and baby Emilia who are residents of Ripponden, pictured with The Lord Lieutenant of Manchester.

A Ripponden businessman was presented with the Queen's Award for Enterprise after the recent success of his Salford-based company.

S and B UK Limited is a Salford based manufacturing company which specialises in the design, supply and installation of laboratory furniture systems and fume cupboards for the education, healthcare and food and beverage industries.

Previously Dutch owned, the company celebrated the 10th anniversary of a management buy-out in March of this year.

Following an extensive research and development plan designed to help the company create new overseas business opportunities which has helped secure growth in export markets in each of the last five years, S and B won the prestigious Queen’s Award For Enterprise in International Trade.

Sales director Paul Bentham, of Ripponden, who has been with the company for 25 years, said: “The growth in export trade has been achieved by the development of innovative science furniture systems designed to attract more students to a subject than might otherwise be the case and by offering unique UK designs which are completely new to our target markets.”

The Lord Lieutenant of Manchester presented the award at the S and B factory in Swinton earlier this month (pictured).T

he Salford Deputy City Mayor and Deputy Ceremonial Mayor were also in attendance to mark the occasion.