A leading family-owned business Yorkshire Packaging Systems (YPS) celebrated their 45th anniversary in style on 2nd September whilst raising over £3,000 in charitable donations for hospices in the West Yorkshire area. Around 30 members of staff were amongst a 75 strong group of ‘YPS VIPs’ attending the afternoon event at YPS HQ, which went on into the evening at the Holiday Inn Leeds-Brighouse hotel. From 1977 to 2022…
Founded 45 years ago by lifelong Halifax resident David Johnson, YPS are the UK’s leading supplier of flexible wrapping and bagging machinery and materials. Overseen by David’s son-daughter team Glyn and Rachel Johnson, the business has gone from strength to strength, culminating in not only a successful rebrand but also a relocation from Dewsbury to Brighouse in 2021. Opening a second distribution centre last year in Heckmondwike to accommodate their continued growth, YPS have also seen their numbers swell from 20 to 30 employees within just 18 months. Thwarted from planning a ceremony in 2021 by COVID, YPS pledged to combine the momentous occasion with marking their 45 years in business in summer 2022.
A community celebration
Attendees from scores of businesses (each of whom have played a part in YPS’s journey) came together to celebrate the milestone.
Guests were treated to a fantastic line-up of entertainment, including Huddersfield-based magician Luke Lenihan who wowed with his captivating card tricks and sleight of hand, and local legend Pete Emmett who delighted the evening party-goers with his side-splitting stand up comedy.
FUN-draising!
Having supported Forget-Me-Not Children’s Hospice for several years as well as Overgate Hospice more recently, YPS launched a fundraising campaign alongside their event to support both charities. By running competitions, raffles and games, YPS collected £1,504.41 in donations, which was then matched by the family to total £3008.82 and split equally between each worthy cause. Representatives from both charities were in person at the party to speak with revellers, promote their work and raise awareness.
Recognising a lifetime of service
During the afternoon event, David Johnson, company chairman, was movingly presented with a custom-made trophy by his son Glyn and daughter Rachel in front of the gathered guests. As the afternoon’s ultimate VIP, David was recognised for his unfaltering years of dedication, inspired leadership, astute business-mindedness and the ever-constant stability he has afforded YPS in a touching speech delivered by his son Glyn. Cutting the inauguration ribbon with a flourish, David then had the honours of declaring the firm’s state-of-the-art Brighouse HQ officially open before unveiling a commemorative plaque to mark the date. With special thanks…
YPS would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all the guests, colleagues and businesses who contributed to, attended or sent messages of congratulations, cards and flowers, as well as those who have supported the business in any way – big or small – over the last four and a half decades.
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