Safety Expert Arco Crowned "Supreme Champions" at Family Business Awards

Arco, the UK's leading supplier of safety products and services, has been crowned with the ultimate accolade "Supreme Family Business of the Year 2021" at this year's Family Business of the Year Awards. As well as taking home the national title, the expert in safety was hailed Yorkshire Family Business of the Year.

Organised by Family Business United ("FBU"), the virtual awards recognise entrepreneurship, innovation, spirit of family business and community impact.

Chosen for all it has achieved over its five generations of family ownership, Arco was commended for its commitment to the Health and Safety industry, its people, its strong values and its core purpose; keeping people safe at work. Judges also recognised the company's investment efforts to future-proof the business for generations to come.

David Evison, Managing Director of Arco, described the investments made over the last 12 months:

"In 2020, we unveiled a £30m extension to our National Distribution Centre, expanding our logistical capabilities for customers and continuing Arco's commitment to invest in the growing city of Hull. With longstanding ties to Hull since we opened our first shop on Queen Street in 1893, we have also invested in a new purpose-built Industrial Hose facility and £15m state-of-the-art headquarters to ensure the city remains vibrant and commercially successful.

Our other recent investments include improved digital capabilities and two new purpose-built Safety Centres with specialist facilities where our experts offer real-world training alongside classroom learning to support those working in the most high-risk environments."

Thomas Martin, Chairman of Arco, says:

"Everything we do is about understanding how we can be a force for good. Our business growth is driven by the desire to make a positive impact: the more we grow, the more we can help preserve the UK's safety standards. We are absolutely delighted that our people have been recognised for the phenomenal things they do for society, and we are honoured to receive two awards that champion family business. Thank you FBU for the recognition, and for reminding those in government and in business of the importance of the family business sector and the contribution it makes."

As Doug Ryan, Wealth Management Director at Mattioli Woods, sponsors of the Supreme Champion Award, says:

"Arco is a multi-generational family firm that has real purpose underpinning everything they do. Family values are firmly embodied in the business and have helped guide them successfully for over 135 years to become a world class business."

"Arco stood out as worthy overall winners this year. As we all know, people are at the heart of any business and they are the lifeblood of Arco. Their family values define their reason for being and are truly embodied within the heart of the organisation, the people in the Arco workforce. These values have been upheld during the pandemic, the business has stepped up to help communities the length and breadth of the country and over the past few years there has been continued investment to help future-proof the business for generations to come. Arco are worthy winners of this award and all the accolades it sends their way," concludes Doug.

Ben Fowler, Managing Director of Western Pension Solutions, sponsors of the Yorkshire award and judge adds:

"Arco is a business that is driven by the why and not the what and the how. They have made significant investment in the governance of both the family and the business and always strive to do their best with growth coming from their desire to make a positive impact on society, something they have been doing since 1884. This is an incredible family business and a great ambassador for the sector, not just in Yorkshire, but across the whole of the UK and beyond."

As Paul Andrews, founder of FBU and organisers of the awards concludes:

"Family businesses are the engine room of the UK economy and these awards celebrate their contribution. There can only be one winner and Arco are a fantastic business, great ambassadors for the sector and deserving winners of the 2021 Supreme Champions Family Business of the Year title."