Queen's Award for cotton bud company

Radcliffe's very own 'cotton kings' have received royal recognition by being presented with a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in tribute to its overseas trade.

More than 60 guests gathered in a marquee at Quest Personal Care Global's headquarters in Eton Hill Road to watch Greater Manchester's Vice Lord Lieutenant present company founder Antony Wagman with the award.

Quest, which manufactures a staggering 20 million buds a year, won the top industry accolade in the international trade section. The small family merchant, which was launched in 1989, now trades in more than 50 countries worldwide. The Radcliffe firm was just one of seven Queen's Award for Enterprise recipients throughout the North West.

Quest, which has a 10-strong workforce at its Radcliffe base, employs 500 worldwide and manufactures for a selection of top names in global commerce, selling both house brands and customers' own private products. The company imports , distributes and cross-trades personal care products such as wipes, tissues, cotton buds, cotton wool and plasters, predominantly from Chinese businesses in which Quest are joint venture shareholders. In 2007, the firms main markets were in Russia, Canada, South Africa, Holland and the Caribbean. Proud employees of Quest together with other guests, watched as the Vice Lord Lieutant of Greater Manchester, Michal Oglesby, handed over the award to Mr Wagman. Other guests at the presetnation included Bury's mayor and mayoress, Councillor Peter Ashwoth and Angela Lawrence.

In his speech, Mr oglesby said "This must be a very proud day for you all. This is one of the most prestigious awards given to businesses every year. "Around 800 firms applied for the Queen's Award for Enterprise and eventually this was whittled down to 135. "The award certainly means something. It is very important and is not an easy thing to gain. "I know the hard work that goes into running a company and the challenges and risks that go with it", he added. Commenting on Quest's buoyant overseas trade, Mr Oglesby went on: "You have taken on the world and demonstrated that a world market is out there and we must take our hats off to you for that". Mr Wagman thanked his workforce and members of his family for their support and commitment and and added: "I am proud and delighted to receive this award. This is based on the past three years which I can only say have been exuberant. I would also like to thank all who have contributed towards this award". Over the past three years, Quest's export earnings have more than quadrupled as a result of overseas marketing. Group turnover will be up to £13 million by the end of the year and the business is set to grow at 25 per cent a year. The award to Quest completes a remarkable hat trick for Radcliffe. In 2004 and 2007, the town's James Halstead flooring manfuactures lifted two consecutive Queen's Award for Enteprise.

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