Latest News & Insight

Steelite International Win Made in Britain Award

26 November 2014

Steelite International is recognised for its commitment to manufacturing in Britain as it wins the ‘Made in Britain’ award at The Real Business Growing Business Awards. 

Steelite International is today celebrating its success in winning the prestigious ‘Made in Britain’ award at the ‘most established, most important, most widely supported national recognition of successful UK SMEs and entrepreneurs’; The Real Business Growing Business Awards held in association with Lloyds Bank and supported by the CBI. 

Tim Hinton, Managing Director, SME & Mid Markets at Lloyds Bank, commented: “The Growing Business Awards are an important opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate UK business successes across a wide variety of industries. The stories behind this year’s award winners are incredibly interesting and motivating. It’s great to see the combination of personal passion and clever business thinking that have driven these businesses forward.” 

The ‘Made in Britain’ award puts the spotlight on products, technologies and innovations primarily developed, designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK and saw Steelite International come up against specialist engineers Meltech, industrial lubricant supplier Rock Chemicals, office furniture company Orangebox and HECK, the premium sausage supplier. 

Judges commented: “Steelite is a UK manufacturing success story in a tough sector. The business has turned around its industry and showed real scale. The business has shown real innovation in its products and marketing, and has a clear route map for future growth.” 

Kevin Oakes, Chief Executive at Steelite International commented on the business accolade: "Winning this award is testament to everyone within the business. Last night, we were able to showcase not only our commitment to the resurgence in manufacturing and the ceramic industry, but Stoke-on-Trent as a city of hardworking people and importantly, success. The ‘Made in Britain’ award emphasises exactly what Steelite International is about; our efforts in continuing to fly the flag for ‘Made in Britain’ while maintaining a firm commitment to making its core product here in the UK where we have the greatest expertise, skilled people with loyalty and commitment, the ability to create products with a lifetime guarantee and over 100 years’ manufacturing history.” 

Laura Cohen, Chief Executive of The British Ceramic Confederation sent her congratulations on the win: “We know that many customers value “Made in Britain” products. We are delighted that Steelite has won this award. The company has worked hard in developing their workforce, new products and improving manufacturing.” 

Steelite International Chief Executive, Kevin Oakes and Group HR Director Wendy were there to collect the award and hosted a table of likeminded friends of the business; all with a firm commitment to British manufacturing. Celebrating with the business was Joan Walley Stoke MP, Anthony King and Tina Billet from David Redman, Steve Wooldridge from Bunzl Lockhart and Anthony Mashall from Park Lane Hilton.