Rochdale company strikes gold at regional manufacturing awards

Dan Hulme from Inspired Plc; Dawn Huntrod, region director of Make UK in the North and Richard Hagan, managing director of Crystal Doors

Crystal Doors, a manufacturer of bespoke doors and accessories for kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms, based in Rochdale, has struck gold at a prestigious regional manufacturing awards ceremony.

The awards, organised by Make UK, the manufacturers’ organisation, which represents industry across the UK, were held in Manchester to recognise the achievements of companies from across the North West, with the winners now going on to the national finals which will be held in London in January.

Crystal Doors was presented with the Make UK North West Energy & Sustainability Award, sponsored by Inspired. The award was given in recognition of its extensive and relentless efforts over the last decade to pursue the ambition of becoming a net zero company by 2023. This has involved sustainable affordable and clean energy through the use of renewables, responsible consumption and production through zero waste to landfill and 100% recycling of card and plastic.

This has translated into not just financial savings but also the adoption of similar sustainable goals by employees with almost two thirds of staff choosing active or shared commutes. The efforts towards net zero has also aided brand recognition which, in turn, has helped sales growth as customers and suppliers have bought into the companies’ goals.

Richard Hagan, founder and managing director of Crystal Doors, said: “Winning this year's Northwest’s Make UK award champions the value of Greater Manchester’s many supporting organisations. Enjoying significant support from Made Smarter, Rochdale Development Agency and Manchester’s Groundwork. 

“I do believe that Rochdale is now firmly on the UK’s map for sustainable advanced manufacturing, receiving investment from central government.  Catapulting the opportunities for employees and employers to financially benefit from sustainability awareness and actions.”

The judges said: “Undergoing a huge sustainability transformation in response to a business critical situation saw the company focus on their environmental impact – having to upskill and educate themselves in order to implement this transformation. The resulting strategy and financial investment not only transformed the business model for net zero manufacturing but also served as an educational tool for other SMEs and manufacturers.”

Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for Make UK in the North, said: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing. The sector remains at the heart of creating wealth in North West of England and as we grow our economy there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

Crystal Doors will go on to compete in the national finals against other companies around the UK in January 2024.