A packaging company which is hoping for a greener future for the industry has been crowned Company of the Year at the CoventryLive and WarwickshireLive Business Awards 2022.
Purple Planet Packaging, which is based in Whitley, supplies customers across the country with a broad range of plastic-free products including cleaning supplies, cutlery and food and drink containers.
The eight-strong company is run by husband and wife team Mark and Joanna Farr who bought what was then an online distribution venture based in Devon in 2019 and established it in Coventry.
It is completely independent and therefore able to work with specialist environmentally friendly packaging firms across the world to develop and manufacture more than 500 products.
Many are made from plant crops like corn and sugarcane with around 60 per cent of the range being compostable. It also offers a warehousing and logistic service to its customers which are short on storage space.
Our judging panel was impressed by the firm's commitment to a better, greener future for the often much-maligned packaging and single-use industry so handed it the Green Business of the Year title before choosing it ahead of our other category winners to take the overall award.
Mr Farr also works as a part-time paramedic in a private capacity, supporting large-scale events including at Coventry City, and was previously full-time with the NHS but left to concentrate on running the business.
Speaking at the ceremony after being crowned Company of the Year, he said: "We as the human race need to understand what we are doing and how much we can impact climate change and the Government and local authorities need to take stock of what they are doing.
"I want to explore working with local authorities and engage with schools which is a big thing for me. We are of a generation which talks about climate change but what are my young children going to be expecting when they are our age?
"Why not service a school with entirely biodegradable products - that doesn't happen at the moment - and provide them with a machine into which all of those products can be put to create compost. We are nowhere near that because we struggle with cost and that is the challenge."
Referring to the awards, he added: "From a business that started in a log cabin to having 45,000 sq ft on the Seven Stars Industrial Estate, we have come leaps and bounds. Winning Company of the Year is testament to my wife Joanna and our small team which we are looking to double next year."
Gallery: See all the winners of the CoventryLive and WarwickshireLive Business Awards 2022
It is the second year in a row that the Green Business category winner has also taken the overall title, after marine technology firm NRG Marine (Sonihull) triumphed in 2021, while Purple Planet Packaging was also named Small Business of the Year 12 months ago.
CoventryLive and WarwickshireLive editor Adam Moss said: "Climate change and the world's energy industry are never far from the headlines nowadays and there are companies both large and small doing their bit.
"So perhaps it's no surprise that for the second year running our Green Business of the Year is also our overall winner. Purple Planet Packaging really is leading the way and showing consumers and the business world that our everyday food and drink containers and packaging don't have to destroy the planet.
"A hearty congratulations goes to them and of course all of our winners at what has been an excellent business awards, once again showcasing the very best our city and region have to offer."
This year's event also welcomed two brand new categories.
Zara Sadler from installation firm Platinum Bathrooms won the Apprentice of the Year prize, which recognised an upcoming business talent, while Etch & Pin was named top performer for Innovation in Cultural Sector and also shortlisted in the retail category.
The company creates products such as children's books, pin badges and a sticker album which celebrate the city of Coventry and its cultural history, with a percentage of the firm's profits going to local charities and good causes (scroll down to read the full list of winners).
Our awards were hosted by TV journalist and broadcaster Frances Donovan and held at Coombe Abbey Hotel which also sponsored our drinks reception.
Our charity partner for the event was Coventry and Warwickshire Children's Charity which raises funds for children in need of help or who are at risk of abuse or neglect.
The winners and sponsors of our 2022 business awards are:
Small Business of the Year
Eskuta
New Business of the Year - Joint Winners
Coventry Rocks and Destination Coventry
Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya Award for Manufacturer of the Year, sponsored by Made Smarter West Midlands delivered by CWLEP Growth Hub
Amtico
Professional Services Firm of the Year
Magnetar IT
Property and Construction Business of the Year, sponsored by Kings Real Estate
Deeley Group
Retail Business of the Year
Joco Interiors
Third Sector Organisation of the Year
Clothing Coventry
Innovation in Cultural Sector Award, sponsored by Coventry City of Culture
Etch & Pin
Green Business of the Year, sponsored by Birmingham Airport
Purple Planet Packaging
International Trade and Export Award, sponsored by Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
Mirius
Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Ladder for Coventry and Warwickshire
Zara Sadler, Platinum Bathrooms
Company of the Year (chosen from the category winners)
Purple Planet Packaging
