Inventory management system receives royal accolade
Tommy Sharples, managing director of Hurst Green Plastics Ltd. recently attended a Royal Reception at Windsor Castle in the presence of HRH King Charles III to celebrate the company winning The King’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2025.
 |
| Tommy Sharples greets King Charles at a reception where Hurst Green Plastics was recognized for its innovative TwinBin Live digital inventory management system. |
The family-owned, 45-year-old business based in Whalley, Lancashire, UK, received the accolade for its development of TwinBin Live, a unique patented storage system designed to simplify stock control and inventory management in the manufacturing sectors.
TwinBin Live works by holding a ‘live’ stock of materials or fasteners, which, when depleted, allows a second re-stock batch to be immediately released for use whilst an automatic flag raises and sends a cloud-based signal to indicate that new stock is required. It also provides fully traceable restocking to the correct location improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
“Being invited to The Royal Reception at Windsor, alongside other King’s Award winners was a really proud moment,” said Sharples. “Innovation has always been at the heart of what we do and this has enabled our business to become a globally trusted supplier to some of the world’s most renowned organizations.”
The original TwinBin, a mechanical system designed to simplify component tracking, was first manufactured in 2000 – over the last 25 years, that initial concept has evolved into TwinBin Live, a digital, data-driven solution that enables real time, vendor-managed inventory.
Sharples says TwinBin Live represents a major breakthrough in real-time tracking and management of high value, safety critical components. The innovation has had a transformative impact across many industries, he adds, which led to the company winning The Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2012.
Since then, Hurst Green Plastic’s internationally patented systems have further developed to now include kitting solutions, spin flags, bin flags, and stock control carts. All the company’s products are designed and manufactured in the Lancashire area.
Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, the King’s Awards are the most prestigious business awards in the United Kingdom, with recipients recognized as being among the best of British businesses.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are awarded to businesses for outstanding achievement in four categories; International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility), to recognize businesses that promote social mobility. This year, 197 businesses across the UK were recognized for their success across the four award categories.
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The May/June issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about the ISA's Veterans Empowerment Network. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dr. Bharani Nagarathnam and Frank Hurtte, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
