Celtic Sheepskin, based in Newquay in Cornwall, started life in the 1970s trading from a garage. Today, it attracts more than half a million visitors a year to its website (www.celtic-sheepskin.co.uk) and ships around 90,000 products to customers across the UK and abroad. The majority of its sheepskin footwear products are handmade on-site and the company offers a carbon neutral delivery service.
Celtic’s directors Nick and Kath Whitworth collected the award at a ceremony in London which was attended by more than 140 business leaders, academics and representatives of industry associations.
Nick Whitworth said: ‘We work really hard to incorporate green policies into our business and for this to be recognised by consumers makes it all worth-while.’
Kath Whitworth added: ‘One of our key business aims is to source our products from within the UK, which cuts down on air miles and enables us to maintain excellent quality.
‘The UK’s manufacturing industry is nearly extinct, so it has been challenging to find British manufacturers to work with. However, we are delighted to be working with suppliers who offer us excellent service, are knowledgeable and have a can-do approach to business. All our products are high quality and built to last thereby reducing waste and we even offer a boot resole & repair service to prolong their life.’
Celtic Sheepskin has recently increased its product range to include a selection of ladies and men’s natural fibre clothing, soft furnishings, gifts and skincare.
Celtic Sheepskin actively promotes recycling with collection bins placed throughout the factory, warehouse and offices to recycle paper, card, pallets, tins, plastics, printer cartridges, catalogues and magazines. The company uses recycled plastic bags and 100% recycled and compostable delivery/gift boxes, tissue and void-fill for packaging.
The factory and offices are energy efficient and all catalogues are printed on FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) paper.
