Entering and winning a York Press business awards proved such a morale booster for staff, a York firm says they are going to enter again.

Sheppee International is an 80-year-old engineering company that designs and makes the equipment used in manufacturing glass containers.

The company’s Marie Allen says what makes the Elvington company special is that it is the “only company in the world dedicated to supplying hot end ware handling equipment.”

The company constantly invests in new technologies to develop new innovative products. It also prides itself on having close relationships with customers both directly and with agents based around the world.

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Such support is also bolstered by support engineers, who provide emergency response 24 hours a day.

Sheppee won the Manufacturer of the Year Award, which this year is sponsored by Parsons Accountants, a leading chartered accountancy with offices in York and Wakefield.

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The company won by investing in new staff through apprenticeships, establishing new or strengthened relationships with suppliers, and streamlining its manufacturing processes.

It also delivered “outstanding turnover performance” and is a “great, local employer!”

(Image: pic supplied)

Marie says her firm’s machinery produces fewer defects, which boost efficiency, productivity and gives a quicker return on investment.

This year, Sheppee will assess the possibility of exporting to Africa. This follows it attending the glass container industry’s most important exhibition in Dusseldorft, where it will launch two new products and re-launch a strategically important product.

Extra presence in the Asia-Pacific will be further stepped up, boosting its spares business in the region.

Marie says the staff who attended the awards last November were those who had never been to such events before.

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She continued: “They were very pleased to have the kudos of bringing the trophy home!  All of the employees at Sheppee were delighted to win the Manufacturer of the Year award and it enhanced morale in the workplace.”

Marie added: “You can't win if you don't enter and nobody will know if you work, run or own a great company if you don't tell them!”

The Press BUSINESSiQ Awards 2024 are free to enter and open to all businesses in The Press’s circulation area of York, North and East Yorkshire. They conclude with a glittering black tie dinner at the Knavesmire, this year on Friday November 29.

There are 11 categories: Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Hethertons Solicitors; Large Business of the Year, sponsored by YO1 Radio; New Business of the Year, sponsored by the NFU; Retail, Tourism or Leisure Business of the Year, sponsored by York Data Services; Business Personality of the Year, sponsored by York Racecourse; Family Business of the Year, sponsored by JW Myers Monumental Masons; Business Sustainability, sponsored by Portakabin; Business Innovation of the Year, sponsored by Fera Science Ltd; Employer of the Year, sponsored by City Cruises; Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Parsons Accountants; and Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Merchant Adventurers Hall.

The headline sponsor is York St John University.

The closing date for entries is Friday August 16. To enter, go to https://forms.office.com/e/RhdjnF6UFH or use the QR code.