HRH The Duke of Kent visited our offices and factory last week, to present us with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation – described as an ‘Oscar’ of the business world by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter.
Precision Dippings Manufacturing (PDM) is a family-run company, first established fifty years ago, that specialises in bespoke rubber dipped products for a range of national and international clients. When one of our directors’ children ended up with a plaster cast, the idea of using the company’s expertise to create a waterproof cover that allowed the child to swim and bathe was born. Years of intense research and development followed – resulting in Bloccs, PDM’s first consumer product, being launched in 2013. Already a market leader in dressing protection for both children and adults, we’ve now received the ultimate accolade of a Queen’s Award.
Our Managing Director Doug King and Director Kate Richards were waiting to greet His Royal Highness when he visited the factory. They were joined by the team of staff, the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire Countess Bathurst, Mayor of Yate Councillor Tony Davis and other invited guests.
Following a tour of the building, HRH presented Doug with an engraved cut glass bowl and Kate with the official Queen’s Award scroll. The royal visitor also hoisted the Queen’s Award flag up the newly installed flagpole.
“We’re extremely proud to have come so far so quickly with Bloccs,” said Director Kate Richards. “2016 has been a very exciting year for us and we’re now looking forward to expanding production and increasing sales globally.”