A DROITWICH manufacturing firm has been commended for achieving a quarter of a century in business.
The British plastic thermoforming company, Big Bear was praised by the government’s minister for business and trade – Mid Worcestershire MP Nigel Huddleston – on the impressive milestone.
Nigel Huddleston MP noted it was ‘no mean feat’ for a manufacturing firm to reach 25 years in business in these ‘uncertain times’.
He also acknowledged Big Bear’s status as an important local employer, particularly as recent growth has seen the workforce double.
Long serving members of staff from the company were also commended for their loyalty during the celebration, where staff serving 15 years were given certificates and gifts.
One notable employee, Dave Colley, merited a special prize for his 25 years of service.
Certificates were presented by Gerald Bloom, founder and owner of Big Bear, who was recently recognised in the ’75 at 75′ Interplas Awards for his contribution to the plastic industry.
Gerald and his daughter, Emma Hockley, Big Bear’s managing director, also cut a suitably enormous cake which had been specially created for the occasion with the “Big Bear 25 Years” logo.
Emma said: “Achieving a key milestone such as this is a time for reflection on how much progress has been made, despite the many challenges along the way, and we have certainly had our fair share of those.
“More importantly though, it is a time to look to the future, so it’s fitting that on the same day as the anniversary celebrations, we took delivery of a brand-new CNC machine.”
The business are continuing to invest in new machinery and have hired a new senior leadership team.
