Forest Garden, the UK’s largest manufacturer and distributor of wooden garden products, welcomed a host of dignitaries to their Worcestershire headquarters for the presentation of the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise – for Innovation.
Forest Chairman Guy Grainger and CEO Sam Smith were presented with the award, which is the highest and most prestigious given to UK businesses. The ceremony was carried out by Mrs Beatrice Grant, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire – who read Forest Garden’s Grant of Appointment.
Visiting dignitaries to the ceremony last week included: Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Councillor Alan Amos, Vice Chairman of Worcestershire County Council Hall, Louise Hewett DL, High Sherrif of Worcestershire and Councillor Robert Raphael, Chairman of Wychavon County Council.
The prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise is for Forest Garden’s innovation of a world-first fully automatic high-speed fence panel manufacturing process.
Guy Grainger, Forest Garden’s Chairman, said: “It was an amazing day to celebrate with our Forest Garden colleagues and local dignitaries as we were presented with our King’s Award for Enterprise – For Innovation.
“It recognises our continued commitment to push the boundaries and develop new manufacturing techniques for the 21st century.”
Founded in 1974 Forest Garden, which employs over 500 people is the leading manufacturer and distributor of wooden buildings, fencing and structures for residential and agricultural gardens.
Forest Garden CEO, Guy Grainger, said: “Whilst innovating the manufacture of fence panels may not seem particularly exciting, in our sector it has been nothing short of revolutionary.
“To have successfully introduced a new panel suitable for automation into our market, alongside replacing a traditional manufacturing process with ground-breaking high-speed automation, are achievements of which we are particularly proud.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. The awards were first established in 1965 and since then over 7,000 companies have achieved a King’s Award.
2023 marks the first year of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, reflecting His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The awards celebrate the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.
