Lancs firm wins national export award

Blackburn textiles supplier, Vision Support Services, has been named Exporter of the Year at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards, thanks in part to its sustainable manufacturing commitments.

Vision is a leading supplier and distributor of luxury, performance and specialist textiles to key players in the global hospitality, healthcare and retail markets.

The company was recognised in the prestigious awards after tackling overseas expansion and winning international recognition with the likes of Marriott, Hilton, Accor and other international hospitality brands over the last few years.

In a statement, Vision said that it attributed its success to concentrated efforts on ethical sourcing, fair dealing and a commitment to managing the impact of its activities on the environment. It only purchases products from manufacturers that are actively working to improve the environment using sustainable, recycled or recyclable materials and minimising the amount of waste, packaging and energy used.

The company holds the ISO 14001 environmental management standard and encourages all of its manufacturing suppliers to achieve the same accreditation or, as a minimum, complete an environmental questionnaire on an annual basis and facilitate third party audits.

Laurie Thomas, Managing Director, said:

“I’m very proud of what we have achieved. We deal in over 65 different countries, we have very capable skilled people employed all around the world, and we want to use this award now to springboard with the big major hospitality brands and get some more penetration around the world in those markets. This award will help everyone feel proud in the business.”

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