Last updated at 20:28, Thursday, 16 August 2012

Staff from Flimby’s New Balance factory celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary in Britain in Olympic style.

BRONZE SHOE: A celebration trip to London, from left, Ann Hodgson, Paul Johnston, Kath Richardson, Alan Hed, executive vice-president of New Balance International, Flimby manager Andy Okolowicz, Jon Ram, former New Balance EMEA managing director, Ann Ormond, Robin Heaney, Billy Edgar and Ellis Trainor

Ann Ormond, who has been with the company for all those 30 years, Ann Hodgson, Paul Johnston, Kath Richardson, Robin Heaney, Billy Edgar, Mike Middlehurst, Ellis Trainor and factory manager Andy Okolowicz, were taken to London and the Olympics to celebrate 30 years of production in West Cumbria.

Billy said: “The experience was absolutely brilliant. I cannot believe how good the atmosphere was, it was electric!”

For Kath, the highlight was seeing Usain Bolt receiving a gold medal.

Mike said: “I’ve worked for New Balance for over 21 years and the Olympic trip was a fantastic experience and is by far my best day since I started.’’

New Balance celebrated its milestone with an awards ceremony at the company’s Experience Centre, on the 28th floor of the Milbank Tower.

Members of the Flimby factory workforce were presented with a specially commissioned bronze cast running shoe, in recognition of their services to the company’s manufacturing heritage.

Alan Hed, executive vice-president of New Balance International said: “It gave me great pride and pleasure to make this tribute to the inspiration, dedication and commitment of our skilled workforce in Flimby.”

New Balance has been manufacturing performance and lifestyle athletic shoes in West Cumbria since 1982 and in Flimby since 1991.

The company employs 225 people and annually produces over 1.2 million pairs of New Balance trainers.

Despite the recession, the brand grew by 25 per cent across Europe in 2011 and a further 20 per cent increase is forecast for this financial year. The factory exports across Europe and into the Far East markets.

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 16 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk