As we near the end of 2023, we are taking a moment to reflect on the past 12 months. This year has certainly been a momentous one for us at Cromwell with us celebrating our 40th year in business. The special occasion has allowed us to reflect over our 4 decades in business and reminisce on how far we have come since our inception. One thing that has always remained throughout the years is our dedication to the industry, our customers and the environment, and today we are still a loyal, family business. Yet this 4-decade achievement was not the only accomplishment we met this year, here is what has happened to us during 2023!
Insulate Ukraine
We started the year with an overseas donation of polythene. Since the Russian Invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has been left in a state of war-affected disaster, and by early 2023, thousands of people had lost their lives, whilst others were living in despair, with so many of them losing homes and more. The aftermath of this means that residents are left with no windows for insulation or protection, leaving them freezing in sub-zero temperatures, and being vulnerable to the elements and further danger. As the war continued and the conditions worsened it came to a Young Cambridge graduate Harry Blakiston Houston to find a solution. Harry’s Insulate Ukraine team developed and implemented a cost-effective and durable solution to Ukraine’s window crisis. The new solution is simple, yet effective, constructed using clear polythene film, PVC piping, pipe insulation, and tape.
After connecting with the Insulate Ukraine’s Founder, we were keen to help support the cause. Over 2023, we donated 2 tonnes of polythene to assist with the production of the windows, manufactured to the requirements that best insulate and protect homes. The manufacturing team worked closely with both Harry and our business neighbours and friends, John King Chains on this project, who helped to organise the logistics of transporting these goods over to Ukraine. Harry and his team were able to use the donated goods to help restore thousands of homes in some of the worst-struck parts of Ukraine.
Henry Appointed as MD
Some 40 years ago, a 20 year old – newly redundant James Lee took the plunge and set up his own business, the name? Cromwell Polythene. Building it from the roots up, James has since grown the business to over 80 employees, across 2 sites. The family business not only saw James and his wife Debbie grow from strength to strength but the couple’s 3 sons also joined the business and made their own mark. Now after 4 decades, James will be taking the role of Chairman and handing the reins over to his youngest son, Henry, supported by Angus as Operations Director and Alex as Commercial Director.
The rUK Sack
New job titles were not the only introduction during 2023, we also released our latest innovation to the waste and recycling market – The rUK Sack. Our new refuse sacks are made from recycled content, recovered, recycled and remade in the UK. The new range was developed with quality and recyclability in mind, and fully supports our efforts towards a more circular economy and to be cleaner, greener and more resourceful.
Scoring Sponsorship
We support our local communities in many different ways, from litter picks, to waste bag donations and local club sponsorship’s – all of which we carried out throughout this year as usual. This year is our 5th consecutive year sponsoring the local Sherburn White Rose Football team, and this year we have a fresh new team – the youngest of the bunch, the under 7’s club. It wasn’t just the Sherburn team we supported this year, it was also great to get a second team onboard, the Sleetmoor Girls Football team – only a stone’s throw away from our factory.
Award Winning!
This year it was an honour for us to be shortlisted for an awards at the Yorkshire & Humber Family Business Community awards. The annual awards dinner recognises and celebrates outstanding companies in the region. Cromwell was represented by Alex & Henry Lee accompanied by wives Charlie & Sarah. We were delighted to hear that we had won the judges choice award because it illustrates that our culture of excellence has the capacity to elevate us to the position of industry leaders – regardless of industry!
That’s a wrap!
Alongside this, we held and attended events and exhibitions, developed our products, explored new sectors, and so much more! 2023 has been an extraordinary year for us, and has left us with lots of excitement for the new year ahead! What will 2024 hold?
