Royal approval for manufacturing golden girl

Anna Stevenson, the 24 year-old Managing Director of Millennium Pressed Metal, travelled down to London on valentine’s day to take part in a special ‘women in business’ luncheon at Buckingham Palace. The Dudley entrepreneur joined over 200 high-profile leaders from the UK, including the likes of rock diva Sharon Osbourne, Sharon Doukas (Storm Model Management), Jane Churchill (Jane Churchill Interiors) and Ella Hecks (Abel and Cole). “It was a fantastic surprise and came completely out the blue. One minute I was sorting out a new customer and the next thing I know I’m opening a letter from the Palace inviting me to a special event,” explained Stevenson, who started the business after completing an A-Level feasibility study on running a press shop. “I’m still walking around in a daze. It was only seven years ago that I was studying at Edgcliffe High school...now I’ve had lunch with the Queen and, this year, should be heading for a £1m turnover. 2007 could certainly be a year to remember for many reasons.” The Royal visit, which comes after a mystery nomination, marks an amazing period of development for the manufacturing starlet, who has seen her metal pressings business thrive after landing a string of contracts in the automotive, construction, domestic products and medical markets. Its ability to handle short lead-time and complicated projects has enabled it to offset competition from Eastern Europe and the Far East, with the business actually winning back an order from China to produce specialised parts for garden equipment. “Since securing ISO 9001:2000 in November, we have successfully landed over £300,000 of orders, an achievement that has already led to investment in new presses, welding equipment and staff,” continued Stevenson. “We are now up to about 70% capacity in our 10,000 sq ft factory in Dudley and we are determined to increase this to about 90% by the end of year through taking on specialist projects and helping customers who need to sub-contract work out.” Millennium Pressed Metal, which has been assisted by high growth business initiative Mustard.uk.com, has carved out a unique reputation in the industry for helping companies overcome labour shortages, sudden increases in demand and additional tonnage capacities. Significant expansion has seen it increase its workforce to 25, with nearly 75% of them women. This unusual trait in a male-dominated industry is seen as a major benefit by Anna and the newly appointed works manager Gary Fullwood. “Admittedly, it took a lot of getting used to at first, but now it is just business as usual. All of our female workers have been in the sector for a long time and all hold significant knowledge and skills in a variety of presswork. They also seem to have a keener eye for detail, which is essential when dealing in some of the accuracies that are now expected from us,” said Fullwood. Stevenson concluded: “I’ll never forget my short conversation with the Queen and the Countess of Wessex, who asked me what we made and how I managed to succeed in manufacturing. Grabbing five minutes with Sharon Osbourne was also something to remember.”