Ms Lucy Winskell OBE, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear presented North East manufacturer, Sure Purity Limited with their Queen’s Award for Enterprise recognising excellence in International Trade this month.
Visiting their Blaydon manufacturing base, the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear was joined by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Dot Burnett, who celebrated the achievement. Having received notice of their Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022, Sure Purity became one of just eight North East businesses to receive the prestigious business award.
Sure Purity manufactures carbon dioxide polishing filtration systems used by the beverage industry to prevent product contamination. Their unique technology is market leading, removing harmful trace impurities from carbon dioxide which can be a cause of food safety recalls in the industry. From their Blaydon premises, the brand works with a host of international clients including the world’s two largest beverage brands, who now require their bottling partners to use Sure Purity’s polishing filters.
Established in 2016 by Gary Robson, Sure Purity’s CEO, the Tyne and Wear manufacturer has experienced exponential year on year growth, doubling their turnover each year since 2020, and which is expected to continue for a fourth year in 2023.
The team, which now comprises seven, including a recent apprentice who has just been offered a full-time position, will also continue to expand in the coming year, creating more jobs in the region.
Speaking of their award and future growth plans, Gary Robson said: “It’s a very proud moment for the Sure Purity team and we’re on an exciting growth trajectory. Having had a brilliant experience taking on our first apprentice, we are looking to implement a growth strategy whereby for each new hire we also offer an apprentice role. As a former apprentice myself and having recently relocated to a premises on the site of my own initial apprenticeship, I’m passionate about helping to support young people into work and offering an alternative to traditional higher education.”
Ms Lucy Winskell said: “The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the country’s most prestigious business awards and are not awarded lightly. The businesses who receive this commendation must demonstrate true excellence in their field and Sure Purity’s award is recognition of their outstanding achievement.”
Speaking on honouring the Gateshead based manufacturer, Councillor Dot Burnett, Mayor of Gateshead said: “Seeing local businesses thrive always makes me incredibly proud of our borough and Sure Purity’s recognition earmarks them as a business to watch. Gary’s passion for the region and young people is truly inspiring.”
The award presentation was attended by 40 invited guests including local businesses who supply the firm and Blaydon’s current MP Liz Twist.