F.J.Church & Sons is honoured to have won a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in recognition of the company’s outstanding contribution to export and international trade.

Since 1999, the company’s turnover has trebled and the share of its business derived from exports grew from 23 to a massive 85 per cent. Much of this growth has come from the need to handle new categories of recyclable products and seizing opportunities from new markets. Catalytic converters, from which the precious metals platinum, palladium and rhodium can be extracted, have contributed significantly to this impressive growth in export earnings. Indeed in 2004, the Company recycled enough catalytic converters to provide sufficient platinum to make wedding rings for every bride married in the UK last year.

All suppliers to F.J Church remain appreciative of the competitive pricing, swift turnaround, honest outturn and immediate settlement offered - but then, that was the philosophy of Francis Church over 100 years ago.

“We couldn’t be more delighted with this, our first, Queen’s Award,” said Patrick Church. “It is recognition not only for the company’s strong commercial success but also for the dedication of every one of the team which ensures that we provide a trusted and efficient service for both suppliers and end customers whilst staying ahead of opportunities in an ever-changing economic climate, at home and abroad. It’s not a glamorous industry but the Award acknowledges the vital role that we are able to play in an economic life-cycle and I think Frances Joseph Church would be very proud indeed to see how far his family business has come.”