Pictured: Julie Monaco (left) – accounts director at Hurst Green Plastics, receiving the award from Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Mrs Amanda ParkerHurst Green Plastics, a family-owned manufacturer based in Whalley, Lancashire, has been formally presented with The King’s Award for Enterprise in the innovation category for its pioneering TwinBin Live system. The presentation took place last month at
BAE Systems’ Warton Aerodrome, where the company’s technology is actively used to manage stock materials and fasteners.
The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Mrs Amanda Parker JP, to Mrs Julie Monaco, accounts director at Hurst Green Plastics, in recognition of the company’s outstanding contribution to innovation. The TwinBin Live system, a patented digital solution for real-time inventory management, has transformed stock control processes across multiple industries including aerospace, rail, electronics, engineering and healthcare.
Ms Monaco said: “It was a real honour to welcome the Lord Lieutenant and her Deputies to BAE Systems’ Warton and to receive our King’s Award from her. Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do and this has enabled our business to become a globally trusted supplier to some of the world’s most renowned organisations.”
The event was attended by invited dignitaries and guests, who were welcomed by Hurst Green Plastics’ managing director Tommy Sharples and BAE Systems’ technology and operations lead Dave Holmes. The Lord Lieutenant, accompanied by her deputies Mr Robert Parker DL and Professor Miranda Barker, was given a detailed insight into both businesses before touring BAE Systems’ ‘Factory of the Future’ and viewing demonstrations of its award-winning technologies.
Highlight of my careerFollowing the tour, Mrs Parker delivered a short address congratulating Hurst Green Plastics on its achievement before presenting the award to Mrs Monaco, who accepted the award on behalf of the company and offered words of thanks.
Mr Sharples said: “The King’s Awards is one of the most prestigious awards that a company can achieve. It certainly has been a monumental year in our company’s history; including meeting HRH King Charles III at Windsor Castle and today with our company being presented with the award at our client BAE Systems’ premises. This is certainly a highlight of my career and I am very excited about what the future holds for our business.”
Originally launched in 2000 as a mechanical system for component tracking, the TwinBin concept has evolved over the past 25 years into TwinBin Live — a data-driven, vendor-managed inventory solution now used by major organisations worldwide. Its real-time tracking capabilities have had a transformative impact on the management of high-value, safety-critical components.
Hurst Green Plastics previously received The Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2012. Since then, the company has expanded its product range to include Kitting Solutions, SpinFlags, BinFlags and Stock Control Carts — all designed and manufactured in Lancashire, supporting local businesses and maintaining high standards of quality.