The team from the fastest growing dental bur (drill) manufacturer in the world were joined by Dame Janet Trotter, Gloucestershire’s Lord Lieutenant, and Peter Bungard, chief executive of Gloucestershire County Council, for the Award presentation at Prima Dental Group’s Gloucestershire base in July.
Richard Muller, managing director at Prima Dental Group, received the certificate and Queen’s Award bowl, as well as a citation signed by HRH The Queen and Prime Minister Theresa May, before colleagues enjoyed an ice cream in celebration of the team’s achievement.
“It was a great honour to receive our second Queen’s Award and a wonderful way to celebrate with the team who are integral to our success,” commented Richard, who attended a celebratory reception at Buckingham Palace for Queen’s Award winners ahead of the presentation.
“It’s been great to help recognise their efforts; we had our summer party on Sunday followed by the Queen’s Award on Monday which really is the icing on the cake.”
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade recognises Prima Dental Group’s phenomenal growth in global markets.Over the years the company has expanded its reach to supply 92 countries, including a subsidiary company in India and joint venture companies in Brazil and Hong Kong, producing some 30 million micron-accurate carbon, diamond and steel dental burs a year. Today it is the second largest dental bur manufacturer in the world.
“Our journey since 2014, when we won the last Queen’s Award, has been particularly meteoric - with expansion in our international trade, our infrastructure here in Gloucester and our people, plus we’ve launched a new digital division and product range as well,” adds Richard.
“Our mission is the pursuit of better – in all that we do – and we remain committed to this as we continue to grow our business and our team.As part of this we are in the process of recruiting up to 25 more colleagues this year. It’s an exciting future ahead.”
In line with growth in demand Prima Dental Group has increased its manufacturing floor space by 100 per cent, with the launch of a new £3m research and innovation centre on its base at Waterwells Business Park.Horizon House, which was named by a colleague following a competition, was officially opened on 16 July by Dame Janet, following the company’s summer party on 15 July.
Alongside structural capacity the business has also expanded its team with the recruitment of new specialists and operative staff. While earlier this year saw the launch of a new division and product range, Prima Digital, to supply CAD/CAM milling tools for dental labs around the world, capitalising on the rapidly-growing global digital dentistry market.
