Apprentice Employer of the Year Award
6 October 2025
TEX Plastics was awarded the prestigious Apprentice Employer of the Year at The Engineering Trust's inaugural Annual Awards Results and Presentation Evening.
The ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 25th, 2025 at The Park Hotel in Barnstaple, celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of apprentices and the businesses dedicated to their development.
The award highlights how TEX Plastics' proactive approach to developing its people is directly linked to its operational success. By training employees in their specific processes and quality standards from the ground up, the company ensures that every product is manufactured to the highest standard. This investment in a well-trained and motivated workforce directly translates into meticulous attention to detail, superior customer service and a reliable, high-quality product. The recognition from The Engineering Trust underscores the company's belief that great products begin with great people, securing quality, innovation and customer satisfaction for the future.
The Engineering Trust Awards are a respected benchmark in the region’s engineering and manufacturing sectors, recognising organisations that set the highest standards for apprentice training, career development and long-term talent retention. Winning this award highlights TEX Plastics’ ongoing commitment to nurturing its people from their first day as an apprentice through to advanced leadership roles.
“The Apprentice Employer of the Year award is a highly coveted honour, distinguishing TEX Plastics as a company that demonstrates exceptional commitment to nurturing future talent. It signifies more than just providing a placement; it recognises a holistic approach to mentorship, training and career progression. For TEX Plastics, this award is a testament to the company's deeply ingrained philosophy of investing in its people, starting from the very foundation of their careers.”
Guy Sentence, Managing Director TEX Plastics
Developing Talent, Driving Excellence
TEX Plastics has built a strong reputation for developing skilled professionals from within its own ranks. Its in-house apprenticeship programme is more than just technical training — it is a structured pathway that instils company values such as respect, openness and integrity from the outset. Apprentices are immersed in real-world projects, mentored by experienced team members, and encouraged to broaden their skills beyond the shop floor.
“This accolade exemplifies TEX Plastics' proactive approach to talent development. The company views its apprenticeship program not merely as a recruitment pipeline, but as a cornerstone of its business strategy. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and providing hands-on experience, TEX Plastics empowers its apprentices to become skilled and confident professionals. This developmental mindset ensures that every employee, from the newest apprentice to the most seasoned veteran, is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to excel.”
Christine Jones, HR Manager TEX Plastics
This investment in people has a direct impact on the company’s operational performance. By training employees in the company’s specific processes, quality standards and customer service ethos from the ground up. TEX Plastics ensures that every product is manufactured to the highest standard and that every customer interaction reflects the company’s professionalism.
From Apprenticeship to Customer Satisfaction
The company’s apprenticeship strategy is closely tied to its customer promise. Skilled, confident, and well-supported employees are better equipped to identify improvements, maintain tight quality control, and respond effectively to client requirements. This commitment to continuous learning helps TEX Plastics maintain its position as a trusted partner in precision plastic injection moulding.
“We see apprenticeships as an investment in the future of both our people and our business. When you grow talent from within, you’re not just creating skilled engineers — you’re building a workforce that truly understands our customers, our processes and our values. This award is recognition of the hard work our team has put into making that vision a reality.”
Kevin Payne, Operations Director, TEX Plastics
A Win for the Team and the Region
Receiving this award at the inaugural North Devon Engineering Trust Awards presentation adds an extra layer of pride for the company’s Barnstaple team. It reflects both local and industry-wide recognition of TEX Plastics’ belief that great products begin with great people — and that by investing in apprentices today, they are securing quality, innovation and customer satisfaction for tomorrow.
The link between this commitment to people and the company's success is clear. A well-trained and motivated workforce is directly reflected in the quality of their work. The skills and precision instilled in apprentices translate into a meticulous attention to detail in the manufacturing process, directly impacting product quality. This dedication to excellence ensures that every product TEX Plastics manufactures meets the highest standards, building trust and strengthening relationships with customers. The result is a cycle of success where superior customer service and a reliable, high-quality product are the natural outcomes of a company that truly values and invests in its people.