Lattimer officially recognised as a world-class exporter

Global glass industry firm Lattimer has been officially recognised as a world-class exporter after being presented with the 2018 Queen’s Award for Enterprise, International Trade.

The precision-machinist manufactures around 30,000 different products for container glass manufacturing plants in more than 60 countries worldwide. Its prolific record has now been officially recognised by the Government office in charge of honouring ‘outstanding achievements by UK businesses’. Lattimer has offices in Southport UK and New Jersey USA.

Queen’s representative and Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside Mark Blundell visited the GBP 12million turnover company to present the award to the firm’s senior management, employees and apprentices. It follows a Royal Reception held at Buckingham Palace, hosted by The Prince of Wales, attended by Lattimer Holdings CEO Stephen Waterhouse and Managing Director Mark Hailwood.

Lattimer is also now permitted to fly The Queen’s Award flag outside its head office and use the Queens Award logo on all company stationary for a period of five years. Mr Waterhouse said the presentation marked a significant moment in the company’s 76-year history following 40 years at the forefront of design and manufacture of components for the glass container industry.

“This is an incredibly proud moment for each and every person who has contributed to the success of Lattimer since its inception in 1942,” he said. “This business has remained hungry and ambitious. For decades we have consistently raised the bar in terms of engineering processes and techniques for the container glass manufacturing sector. Due to the quality of our products and ability to produce complex, tailor-made solutions we have been able to export to all four corners of the globe. Lattimer is now widely regarded as the world’s leading IS variable equipment supplier to OEMs (Original Equipment Suppliers), glass manufacturing groups and independent plants.

“In our opinion there is no greater accolade or seal of approval than that of Her Majesty the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister. We have enjoyed many successes over the years including the development of ground-breaking products, however this moment ranks amongst the best. We are indebted to previous generations and their contribution in building the firm to where it is today. As the current custodians of the Lattimer brand we are determined to ensure it continues to prosper and thrive for the next 70-years and beyond.”

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is an awards programme for British businesses and other organisations which excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development. The scheme was established as The Queen’s Award to Industry by a royal warrant on 30 November 1965. It is regarded as the highest official UK award for British businesses.

Lattimer Managing Director Mark Hailwood said exports have been fundamental to the company’s success and will continue to form the backbone for future growth.

“Our ethos is firmly rooted in developing international trade and new export markets,” he said. “Overseas sales account for a total of 96% of turnover. Around 30% of this comes from Europe while our largest overseas markets include the US, Australasia, the Middle East and Africa. Lattimer is able to supply all IS variable equipment requirements in all product families. Many of our products have led the field in innovation and have subsequently become industry standards, specified and recommended by companies worldwide.

“One of the keys to our success is the ability to engineer, design and manufacture special parts addressing specific needs of clients. This combined with decades of experience and the sheer volume of parts we supply each year helps set us apart from the competition. Over the years the Lattimer brand has become synonymous with quality, consistency, innovation and reliability. In order to continue developing the brand we have devised a 15-year growth strategy underpinned by new product development and supported by a new multi-lingual sales force.

“Meanwhile, the Lattimer Training Academy ensures we can manage our engineering resource in-house. We deliver high-level apprenticeship schemes not only to maintain our engineering standards and future proof the firm but to nurture the next generation of world-class engineers.”

Lattimer is a globally renowned precision machinist and a champion exporter with overseas contracts accounting for 96% of all sales. It designs and manufactures more than 20,000 different component parts predominantly for the glass container manufacturing industry. Lattimer is effectively a one stop shop for IS variable equipment. The firm employs circa 114 people with its head office located in Southport, North West, where it was founded in 1937. More than 40% of the current workforce have come through an internal apprenticeship course. It exports to all four corners of the globe with key markets including Asia, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and Australia. Group turnover stands at circa GBP 10.5m. It’s broad product range can be broken down into 14 groups, made through a number of different machining processes – milling, turning, mill-turning and grinding. Within the glass container industry Lattimer has two key targets – the glass factories and also the OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) who sell into the factories.