Kate Richards and Douglas King, directors of Precision Dippings Manufacturing, based in Bristol, attended a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by The Queen, for winners of this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The company’s award win, announced in the week Her Majesty had her 90th birthday, recognises the innovation behind its range of reusable waterproof arm and leg protectors for plaster casts, Bloccs.
When fitted with a plaster cast, patients are advised to keep their casts away from water so that they stay robust and help the injured limb to heal properly. Bloccs keep injuries bone dry by slipping over an injured arm or leg like a glove or stocking. Their rubber seals combine the technology Precision Dippings used when putting the stretch into the iconic Stretch Armstrong toy in the 1970s, with the watertight seals it now supplies for the world’s top drysuit manufacturers.
Bloccs waterproof protectors are suitable for showering, swimming and bathing. They are reusable and watertight, and will keep casts and dressings bone dry – making showering, bathing and even swimming possible during recovery.
“We’re so proud to have received this recognition. Meeting The Queen this week was a very special privilege indeed” commented Kate Richards. “Bloccs are the first product we’ve designed, made and taken to the consumer marketplace.
“Every year, they help thousands of people during injury recover, to be more independent and continue to enjoy much awaited holidays. Sales and export figures for Bloccs have increased year-on-year since it was launched in 2013.
Kate said the product’s growth had exceeded all expectations and the Queen’s Award win could provide a springboard for further success.
“We see potential for growth in Australia and the United States” she added.
Fully watertight and completely submergible, the protectors are available in adult and child sizes, in short and long lengths. Next day delivery is available from bloccs.com. Precision Dippings Manufacturing is a global supplier of rubber products and dip moulded components used in healthcare, dental, industrial and marine markets.