A LOW Prudhoe business has fought its way back from Storm Desmond to achieve a hard-won accreditation for first class quality standards.

It’s just over a year since the privately-owned company’s workforce was standing knee deep
in flood water and the future for
Tyne Valley Plastics (TVP) looked bleak.

But the plastic injection moulding company has become one of the first such specialist businesses to win the Lloyd’s Register UKAS Approved ISO 9001:2015 accreditation for professional working practices.

Managing director Gill Rice heaped praise on her staff: “For three months we had to subcontract all our work, but everyone continued to come in daily to mop up, clean up and repaint the premises.

“It was stressful and difficult, with over £300,000 of damage, but thanks to the staff’s efforts, we were back on our feet quickly and even increased our annual turnover by three per cent – so this accreditation is as much a testament to their loyalty and enthusiasm as it is to their professionalism.”

TVP was set up in 2003 when Gill, a Licentiate of the London School of Polymer Technology, recognised a gap in the market for the UK manufacture of specialised custom moulded components for various industries.

With an emphasis on research and development, TVP’s customer base has been expanding.

Gill said that fast response times, reliability and excellent quality controls have helped business growth.

“Some of our clients were sourcing components from the Far East, but because of quality issues and inconsistency of supply, they brought their business to us,” Gill explained.

“With a combination of customers starting new projects and resourcing within the UK, we feel that TVP will do even better this year and are looking to scale up.”

Gill added : “I have always been ambitious and focused. I am a great believer in advancement for staff and encouraging ideas.

“We have a tight team here at TVP and we pull together to achieve results.

“This accreditation has been a morale booster after a difficult year, but now we can get on with fulfilling our orders and bringing in new business.”