SA Labels in Oakworth has beaten competitors from around the world to land two coveted industry awards.

The company, based in a 19th century former textile mill, scooped the top prize in the global Flexo Tech International Print and Innovations Awards.

SA Labels was judged the best in its section - combination print - before receiving the Supreme Award for the outstanding entry across all 13 categories.

Staff travelled to a top London hotel to receive the prestigious awards.

Sales director Bob Fedora said: "We have been nominated before, but this year we have scooped the board.

"We were delighted to beat many leading print companies from around the world."

Since SA Labels was founded in 1984, by business partners Jonathan Hutton and Roman Luczyn, the firm has grown year-on-year and now employs about 50 staff and deals with manufacturers throughout the UK and Europe.

Bradford boasts a thriving printing business, so what separates SA Labels from the pack?

"I think it is the philosophy we have," said Mr Fedora.

"We are very, very customer orientated and we are blessed to have some dedicated members of staff and a sales team who appreciate what it takes to succeed in business.

"In these times it is hugely important that we go the extra mile."

Mr Fedora said a second key element in SA Label's success was its decision to embrace new technology and innovation throughout its sector.

The firm's 23,000 sq ft Station Road HQ, located next to the historic Keighley and Worth Valley Railway line, boasts state-of-the-art design and combination printing kit.

Label designs are drawn up by computer before being used to create individual printing plates. Each plate then acts as a template before printing takes place.

About 100 million labels a month depart from the site to producers - with some 80 per cent heading to beverage manufacturers.

The label which topped

this year's Flexo Tech Supreme Award falls into this category.

A seductive design produced in partnership with Glasgow-based Breeze Creative Design Consultants now adorns the front of The Isle of Arran Brewery's Dark Premium Beer.

"We work very, very closely with all parties involved in the process," added Mr Fedora.

"Some projects can take anything up to two years to deliver, but we generally aim to turnaround our product within two to three weeks.

"With The Isle of Arran Brewery label, we worked closely with the designer and manufacturer to create a label that captured the essence of the product."

The company, a self-adhesive label specialist, produces more than a billion labels a year for some of the biggest names in global business.

These include Asda-Walmart, Tesco and Sainsbury's.

However, SA Labels also supplies small and medium-sized enterprises, including many in the Bradford area.

Well-known names include Keighley-based Ponden Mill and Timothy Taylor's brewery, also in Keighley, and Dewsbury greeting card manufacturer UK Greetings.

Such relationships have

created a growing turnover which now tops the £5 million mark.

"Manufacturing in general has been hit right across

all sectors and it is fair

to say that the printing industry has had its fair share of problems," said

Mr Fedora.

"However, we have been more fortunate than most in our ability to keep our heads above water and continue to give our clients the commitment and service they require."