HSL, a family business which employs more than 500 people and has been making and selling upholstered chairs, sofas and adjustable beds in Batley, West Yorkshire, since 1968, was recently awarded the prestigious Manufacturing Guild Mark for business excellence by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and furnishing industry charity.

The Manufacturing Guild Mark has been the mark of excellence for Britain’s top furniture and furnishing manufacturers for 30 years and is awarded to companies demonstrating the highest standards in design, product development and function, manufacture, human resources, financial stability, sustainability and sales and marketing.

The mark the achievement, HSL welcomed James Keen, Hypnos CEO and member of Furniture Makers, to its Batley production site last month to celebrate with the staff.

One member of the sewing team, Corinne Crossley, said: “Being awarded the Manufacturing Guild Mark is amazing for us at HSL – the teams work so hard manufacturing our high quality products that’s it’s amazing to have the award as recognition. We celebrated in true HSL style too with a lovely presentation, pizza van & ice creams for everyone!”

Steve Bulmer, Manufacturing Guild Mark chairman, said: “The team really impressed us with their commitment to continuous improvement. They have refined and re-engineered their manufacturing processes after establishing their own design and development team eight years ago, investing in high-spec machinery and technology to improve efficiencies and quality.”