THREE TIMES A WINNER

Published: 06 May, 2010

Ward Shoes, an export company based in Sheffield, specialise in exporting stock lot and worn return footwear and clothing. The company exports 1,000,000 items a year, mainly to Africa and Eastern Europe. Quite an achievement for a company that only has 24 employees.

Michael Ward the managing director told Footwear Today: “We are absolutely over the moon to win the award for a third time. To win the award once was an incredible achievement and we are just astonished that we have managed to win it for the third time. We are very lucky to have such an amazing workforce, it is their hard work and dedication that has made this company the success that it is.”

The Queen’s Award For Enterprise is awarded to companies that show continual growth over a 6 year period. It is truly amazing that in the midst of the recession Ward Shoes has managed to record a 161% growth in overseas sales, making them a well deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Ward Shoes started life in 1985 with Michael and Elizabeth Ward buying an old shoe repairing machine and repairing shoes in their local village. They then began to buy customer return shoes from high streets stores and exporting them to West Africa.

Since then the company has gone from strength to strength adding clothing, handbags, accessories and household products to their portfolio. To date the company has exported an amazing 8.25 million items. It won the Queen’s award in 1998 and 2004. In 2009 and 2010 Michael and Elizabeth both featured in the Who’s who of business elite.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise recognises continuous achievement in international trade over a six year period. It is a very prestigious award that only around 110 companies receive a year. Ward Shoes recorded an astonishing 131% increase in overseas sales between 2004 and 2009. Which equates to £1 million.

The company continues to develop and grow. It has just launched an e-bay shop to open a new market.

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