Vision Support Services wins export award

Vision Support Services has been named Exporter of the Year at the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards 2018.

The Blackburn company manufactures performance and luxury textiles for the hospitality, healthcare and retail markets.

The company has tackled its overseas expansion and won international recognition with the likes of Marriott, Hilton, Accor, Jumeirah, IHG and numerous other hospitality brands. Only last year the company opened a brand new sales office in China, and in early 2018, it  reported bumper export sales and later placed on the Sunday Times export growth list.

This latest award recognises successful British businesses that have achieved the highest and most sustainable levels of international growth through exporting over the last 18 months. It focuses on all aspects of exporting and rewards sustainable exporting models and innovative practices.

The company attributes its success to concentrated efforts on ethical sourcing, fair dealing and commitment to managing the impact of its activities on the environment.

The company only purchases products from manufacturers who are actively working to improve the environment using sustainable, recycled or recyclable materials and minimising the amount of waste, packaging and energy used.

Managing director Laurie Thomas 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."

Attended by more than 1,200 business leaders, entrepreneurs, politicians and journalists in celebration of the Best of British Ambition, the 17th National Business Awards (organised by UBM) were held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London and presented by BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty and received a keynote speech from Joanna Lumley.