JUBILANT staff at the aptly-named Paradise Mill in Bury were in seventh heaven this week after their company scooped a top business "Oscar".

The 114-strong workforce of W.H. Tracey are celebrating the winning of a highly prized Queen's Award for Export Achievement.

And the accolade is the latest chapter in a real rags to riches story for the company which was originally established 63 years ago.

The textile recycling business, based in John Street, Bury, is one of just 12 companies throughout the whole of the North West to figure in this year's Queen's Awards.

The award recognises the Bury company's buoyant trading performance overseas. Today, it is a leading exporter of recycled clothes and footwear to Africa and the Baltic States.

W.H. Tracey buys surplus clothing and footwear from hundreds of charity shops across the North West.

Around 98 per cent of the goods are recycled with 60 per cent shipped to Africa for sale.

Partners in the successful firm are founder Mr William Tracey, now aged 82, his wife Anne and stepson Bill Bradshaw.

In 1935 Mr Tracey, who still turns up for work each day, set up as a rag and bone man.

For many years, the firm's prime market was in the UK. Garments which couldn't be worn again were sold to the UK's furniture and bedding trade to be shredded and used for fillers and wipers.

But as the home market declined, Tracey's horizons began to broaden. Ten years ago, the Bury business saw a gilt-edged opportunity for exporting and it has never looked back since.

Today, the business transports recycled clothes and footwear to a clutch of countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Pakistan and the Baltic States.

Just how successful overseas markets have become is illustrated by the fact W.H. Tracey's export earnings more than doubled between 1995 and 1997.

In 1994, the business transferred to its present headquarters and the £350,000 investment also went towards new plant and machinery to boost production and capacity.

And in the last five years, the business has doubled its workforce which today stands at 114.

Commenting on the coveted award, Mr Tracey said: "It's nice to have it - it's certainly something you don't get every day.

"It's really all down to hard work. I'm still in the office every morning for a couple of hours. If you don't work hard, you get nothing."

Stepson, Mr Bradshaw said: "This was the first time we had applied for the award.

"We are all over the moon. It's good for everyone here and Bury too and we are even more pleased, given the fact we have grown from such humble beginnings."

He felt it was also quite an achievement, given many exporters are being damaged by the strength of the pound abroad.

Chief executive Mr Philip Bradburn added: "It's good for all those who work here - we are a team and the award recognises our team effort."

W.H. Tracey is the first Bury company to win such an accolade since foil top lid manufacturers Chadwicks secured the same award five years ago.

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