Parafix named Sussex Company of the Year to cap successful 2011

Lancing-based manufacturing firm Parafix has been named Company of the Year in the Sussex Business Awards.

Parafix, a UK leader in the adhesive tape industry, converting and cutting filmic tape, beat dozens of entries to win the coveted title at an awards ceremony in Brighton.

The award caps a successful year for the firm in which growth has been strong despite difficult economic challenges.

The company has continued to invest in state of the art technology to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of the adhesive tape sector.

And it has demonstrated its on-going commitment to staff training by helping half its UK workforce to gain NVQ certificates, a strategy that impressed judges on the awards panel.

In total, 26 employees at the firm’s Lancing factory have successfully gained NVQ qualifications in Business Improvement Techniques since 2009 despite a cut in Government funding for NVQ programmes.

Managing Director Mike Punter said: “It was an honour to accept the Sussex Company of the Year award on behalf of all the team at Parafix. They all played a vital role in winning the title. 

“For me, investing in our people is crucial. By helping them to grow and learn, so the company has grown. I believe it is this ethos that has seen us through the recession to become a strong and proud Sussex manufacturer.

“We pride ourselves on not only engaging our staff but also delivering exceptional customer service, and we believe this makes Parafix a role model for manufacturing in the region; as strategists, responsible employers and innovators.” 

Parafix converts and cuts filmic tape to incredibly accurate specifications for use in sectors such as electronics, healthcare and engineering.

Since 2009, Parafix has invested £350,000 in market-leading equipment helping to improve productivity and efficiency, and as a result was able to expand, adding a factory in Russia to its already successful overseas operations launched in Hungary.

The firm stayed focused on customer satisfaction, scoring an 80% repeat business rate and an increased new business win rate, using an advanced online product selector to help customers choose the right product.

As a result of the company’s commitment to its staff and customers, it remained profitable for 2009 and 2010 and has now returned to pre-recession sales.