Polestar Wheatons Picks Up Three Awards

Edited by the Printingtalk editorial team Jan 3, 2006

Polestar Wheatons collected three awards at the Polestar Group's annual Star Awards.

Polestar Wheatons collected three awards at the Polestar Group's annual Star Awards.

Now installed in its trophy cabinet in Exeter are the awards for Printing Technician of the Year, the Unsung Hero Award and the most prestigious award of the evening, Overall Company of the Year.

The managing director at Polestar Wheatons, Bob Brown, said: "For your achievements to be recognised and acknowledged by your peers is the greatest prize and we are all very proud to have done so well.

It has been an exciting year for the company, with new equipment being commissioned and my thanks go to all those who have played a part in this success." The Printing Technician of the Year was Peter Bates, who joined the company 20 years ago as an apprentice.

He is currently making the transition from running the company's sheet-fed presses to forming part of the team responsible for the new web press, installed in June.

The joint winners of the Unsung Hero Award are twin sisters Kay Smalldon and Nikki Ayre, who both work in the finishing department at Polestar Wheatons.

Ayre has been with the company since 1989, whilst SMalldon joined in 1997.

Tribute was paid to Polestar Group sales and marketing director John Ashfield during the management conference and at the awards, where he was presented with the Chairman's Award.

Group chief executive Barry Hibbert, described Ashfield as "printing and Polestar through and through." He continued: "John has been at the coalface of a hugely competitive industry for 30 years or more and his career is a great example to everyone who wants to make a difference." The other award winners included bindery technician of the year - Faust Mazzocchi, of Polestar Newspac; the sales person of the year - Andy McGuinness, of the retail sales team and the managing director of the year - Iain Gibson, of Polestar Varnicoat.

Best customer service person of the year was Laura Wilson of Polestar Petty, which was the most improved company.

Long service awards were presented to Terry Lilley of Polestar Colchester, whilst the best team prize went to the Polestar Sheffield customer service team and the Greg Thomas young person of the year award went to Geri Greatrex, of Polestar Varnicoat and Steven Wray of Polestar Chantry.