A world leader in the manufacturing of dental products, Gloucester-based Prima Dental has enjoyed huge success across the business in 2024, with regional and national acclaim for projects benefiting its clients, communities and the environment, at home and abroad.
Staff had the perfect chance to reflect on their achievements with a recent visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Edward Gillespie OBE, who presented the company with its King's Award for International Trade for 2024.
The firm secured the prestigious award — which are made by His Majesty The King — for the third time in its history this year, with around 90 per cent of its impressive annual turnover coming from overseas sales.
Accompanied by deputy Lord Lieutenant Diane Savory OBE and deputy chief executive and executive director of corporate resources at Gloucestershire County Council, Nina Philippidis, the Lord Lieutenant also gave an 'insightful' talk to the Prima team and company partners and the trio were given a tour of the facilities.
The King's Award came in the same month that the firm's focus on reducing its environmental impact was recognised at the SoGlos Gloucestershire Business Awards, with the company winning Green Business of the Year in October 2024.
The Prima team said they were 'over the moon' to win the category, with the award reflecting the firm's unwavering commitment to its environmental responsibilities, both in Gloucestershire and around the world.
It comes with the company projecting an annual reduction of more than 100 tonnes of CO2 emissions thanks to its corporate social responsibility initiatives and ISO environmental and energy management systems, both of which have been certified in the last twelve months.
Actions have included reducing landfill disposal from 70 per cent to zero through robust recycling practices; eliminating the use of disposable plastic cups; introduced intelligent lighting, waterless urinals, air source heat pumps and more, saving 100 tonnes of CO2 per year; and installing solar panels at its Gloucester production facility which are set to reduce CO2 emissions by 90 tonnes per year.
This year, the company has also focused on driving global manufacturing and the use of local workforces and suppliers, in a bid to reduce international shipping and travel.
Also committed to supporting communities in Gloucestershire and across the UK, Prima staff have gone the extra mile in 2024 to raise thousands of pounds for leading children's charity, Winston's Wish, which supports children and young adults in the UK with bereavement and grief.
From a 'Prima to Paris' cycle ride and running the Cheltenham Half Marathon, to an old school sports day, raffles and bake sales — all organised by the firm's charity committee — the team managed to raise more than £7,000, with even more fundraising events planned for December 2024.
While here in the county, Prima celebrated its partnership with Gloucester-Hartpury RFC during its successful 2023/24 season, which saw the club win the Women's Premiership Rugby title.
Through the partnership, the company has sponsored a series of half term rugby camps in collaboration with the Gloucester Rugby Foundation, inspiring local young athletes to embrace the game with money being donated back to community rugby clubs in turn — a key initiative within Prima’s broader sponsorship efforts.
