Gripple named the UK's best employee-owned business

For its best all-round performance this year, Gripple has been named The Employee Owned Business of the Year by The Employee Ownership Association (EOA) in its 2015 awards scheme.

A group of employees from Gripple, the world-leading wire joiner and fastener manufacturer, were presented with the top accolade in the sector by the BBC presenter, Martine Croxall at the glittering gala dinner held during the EOA’s annual conference.

An independent group of judges, drawn from the employee owned sector, highlighted Gripple’s best ever performing year, with before tax profits up 157%, 13 new products launched and a new commitment to bringing employee ownership to life throughout the business through enhanced employee engagement and decision making.

Andy Davies, director and chairman of GLIDE, the in-house company representing all employees, said: “We are all so proud to have received this important tribute. The employee ownership culture has always been pivotal at Gripple. Indeed, it has always been extremely close to the heart of our chairman, Hugh Facey who believes it continues to be fundamental in all staff pulling in the same direction in the company’s and their own interests.”

Sponsored by employee ownership specialists Baxendale and managed by the EOA, the UK Employee Ownership Awards - formerly the Philip Baxendale Awards - are in five categories. Gripple’s award was open to well-established employee owned businesses, focusing on performance, with the key criteria outstanding achievements relating to services or products plus overall performance.

Deb Oxley, EOA chief executive said: “Gripple’s award as the Employee Owned Business of the Year is the culmination of a phenomenal story of success for the entire business. And, as one of the most vocal champions of employee ownership, it is great for the sector as a whole too.

“This well regarded and well known company has quite deservedly been recognised by the sector in what has been its most successful year to date.”