The family-owned business proudly claims to be the world’s top specialist manufacturer of torque tools and this year celebrates 67 successful years. The award highlights a success story in a sector that has generally experienced decline.

Norbar equipment is used in diverse industries including manufacturing, sub-sea, aerospace, energy, mining, and oil and gas. In the past six years the company has almost doubled overseas earnings from its worldwide markets and now exports more than 73% of its output. Norbar has distributors in over 60 countries as well as nine of its own sales and service branches around the world.

Philip Brodey, sales and marketing director of Norbar, said: "At a time when all we seem to hear about is doom and gloom this award will be a real boost to our staff and also hopefully send a message out to other manufacturers that business is out there to be won." And, the award is not the only good news from Norbar. The £20m turnover firm is continuing to invest in production equipment, new business systems, sales channels and people.

Human Resources Manager Wanda Stewart-Lee explained, "A number of education opportunities were identified in our six-monthly review process. One of those was that people wanted to understand the business better – so we have organised a programme that uses presenters from all around the company, educating others in the way their department fits into the output of the company as a whole. We feel that investments we are making will help us to make improvements to the bottom line."

She added that Norbar is working closely with Warwickshire College to promote engineering as a career, and also to recruit at least one additional engineering apprentice by the summer. (Tyres & Accessories/Staffordshire, U.K.)