His Majesty King Charles III has praised a family-run British tissue paper manufacturer and its commitment to sustainability during a recent royal visit to Lancashire.
Made in Britain manufacturer Roach Bridge Tissues was one of three businesses asked to showcase their business to His Majesty during a visit to the historic Samlesbury Hall in Lancashire, less than three miles away from the heritage manufacturer’s long-standing paper mill in Preston.
With a history dating back 120 years, Roach Bridge Tissues operates the oldest paper mill in Preston, and the company has been a proud family-run British manufacturer of wrapping paper tissue for over 25 years, creating bespoke designs for a wide range of clientele.
The King chatted with the team at Roach Bridge Tissues about the manufacturing process for printed tissue paper, while proudly displaying the internationally recognised Made in Britain trademark at their stall.
Camilla Hadcock, Director of Roach Bridge Tissues and Chair of Made in Britain, said: “We are immensely proud to have had the opportunity to meet with The King right here in Lancashire, where we have operated successfully as a family-run British manufacturer for over 100 years.
“The royal visit served as a wonderful chance for us to showcase and celebrate local manufacturing, and not only was His Majesty typically charming and funny, but he also showed a genuine interest in our business and our commitments to sustainability. It was an invigorating opportunity for us all at Roach Bridge Tissues, and it provided us with memories to cherish forever.”
During her time with His Majesty, Camilla was able to discuss the sustainable nature of Roach Bridge Tissues, from the company’s hydro-electric and solar powered sources on-site to its FSC certification. He was also said to be ‘very impressed’ with the business’s family-run ethos and its ability to survive and thrive through different generations of British manufacturing.
The company recently celebrated its tenth anniversary as a member of the not-for-profit Made in Britain network in February of this year, which is formed of 2,200 responsible manufacturers making and distributing products and services right here in the United Kingdom.
John Pearce, CEO at Made in Britain, said: “Roach Bridge Tissues are a founding member of the Made in Britain network and have consistently proven their credentials as sustainable and ambitious icons of British manufacturing. It comes as no surprise to me that they have received acclaim from the highest levels of royalty for their hard work, and it is reaffirming to see recognition for the Made in Britain trademark, as well as trust in what it represents.
“I would like to personally congratulate Camilla and the whole team at Roach Bridge Tissues for this royal recognition, and I would also like to thank the King for dedicating his time to learning a bit more about what makes British manufacturing so special.”
Camilla Hadcock’s journey with Roach Bridge Tissues is a full-circle one. Her grandfather owned and ran the former Roach Bridge Paper Mill until his death in the 1970s, and alongside her husband, she bought that very same paper mill to form Roach Bridge Tissues years later in 1999.
For more information about the heritage manufacturer Roach Bridge Tissues, visit: www.madeinbritain.org/members/roach-bridge-tissues
To learn more about Made in Britain, visit www.madeinbritain.org.
