Media Release

Waste Management and Recycling firm M & J Bowers reaches Finals of Somerset Business Awards for Best Family Business

Yeovil waste management and recycling business M & J Bowers is celebrating the news that it has been selected as one of three Finalists in the 2014 Somerset Business Awards under the best Family Business of the Year category, sponsored by Albert Goodman. The company will find out whether it is successful at a celebratory award ceremony on 17 October, held in Yeovil at the Westland Conference and Leisure Centre.

M & J Bowers Ltd was established in 1973 in Yeovil, Somerset when Michael Bowers, father of the current managing director John Bowers, recognised the huge future importance of what was then a fledgling recycling industry. He built the foundations of a recycling business that would see his entire family become involved in managing a successful business based on recycling, waste management and document destruction.

The expanding company is an excellent example of a true Somerset family business that is passionate about the service it delivers and ensuring every one of its 25 employees (all from Somerset) are recognised and developed as an important part of the M & J Bowers team.

This is the first time that the business has entered for an Award explains Business Manager Mike Spencer, who put the company forward this year, "We are really excited to have reached the Finals of the Somerset Business Awards particularly as we understand we were up against some stiff competition from the other applicants. The judging process is a tough and stringent process, but one that has really helped us analyse the business and examine our core values. Although I am not a family member, John always makes me and the rest of the staff feel we are all a valuable part of the M & J Bowers team."

Over the past 18 months the business has been focused on developing its assets and the greatest of these is its people. Training and development of the younger family members has been a priority. Andrew Bowers is now Transport Manager and his brother Kenny is Joint Operations Director together with his younger brother Sam. Female members of the family are also prominent in this family business with John's wife Jenny as Company Secretary (the couple just celebrated their 40^th wedding anniversary) and recent addition, daughter Emma becoming Head of Accounts, having previously helped out in with all aspects of the business, including cleaning!

In order to implement successful generational transitions each member of the family is trained to work at every level, starting at ground level as operators and drivers. Each can take responsibility for running the site and negotiating with clients and customers on price, deliveries and service.

The Somerset Business Awards are organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce and aim to celebrate business success in Somerset. On 17 October, M & J Bowers is hoping it has convinced the judges that its hard working family ethos and unique approach to waste management and recycling is a winning formula for outstanding business success.

For more information on M & J Bowers on and off site confidential shredding and recycling visit: www.mjbowers.co.uk

Further information: Mike Spencer, E/: mike.spencer@mjbowers.co.uk or T/: 0800 027 6255

Photo caption: The M & J Bowers family L - R: Sam, Kenny, Emma, John & Andrew (dog is Digger)

Press information or a high res image: Jane Adkins, T/: 01935 813114 M/: 07960698089 or E/: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Editor's Notes

M&J Bowers was established in 1973 at the dawn of the recycling age when John Bowers was quick to spot an emerging market that he was confident would be globally adopted and determined to be at the forefront of this new industry.

Combining wise investment and a cautious expansion programme, M&J Bowers moved to new Yeovil premises in 2011 whilst continuing to meet the growing demand for its on and off-site shredding facilities.

With exceptional customer service and commitment to improving efficiency along with their accreditation under the ISO standard, M&J Bowers successfully formed a strong partnership with Reisswolf International AG in January 2013, giving them a global position in the Confidential Data Destruction industry.

OCT 2014 (M&JB 04)