The Institute of Directors has awarded David Gray, Managing Director of TB Davies, the prestigious title of 2016 Wales Director of the Year for a family business. The award was recognition of the Cardiff-based ladder manufacturers continued success in growing the business and establishing new markets.
TB Davies was started in 1945 by David’s Great Grandfather Bryn after making a promise to a fellow serviceman a job would be waiting after the war finished. The company has since grown from this small start up based in Cardiff city centre, into a 3.5 acre flagship facility in Cardiff Bay with a thriving training academy. More than seventy years after its founding, TB Davies has more than a 1000 distributors and are active members of industry trade bodies the Ladder Association and PASMA with exports throughout Europe.
Robert Lloyd Griffiths, director of IoD in Wales said, “All those shortlisted have demonstrated innovation, enthusiasm and exemplary leadership skills, which is why their respective businesses have become such success stories.”
TB Davies was one of the first suppliers of aluminium ladders back in the nineteen sixties, as a lighter more durable alternative to traditional wooden ladders. Over the decades sales grew and from a provincial South Wales company to a trusted trade ladder brand throughout the UK.
David Gray explains, “We have a great team and my job is to keep them all safe by building a forward looking sustainable business rooted in our family values. We are passionate about keeping our customers safe by delivering products designed for professionals that protect them in their daily lives. It is a great honour to be recognized by the IoD and celebrate this achievement with our staff, suppliers and business partners who are there for TB Davies at all stages of our growth, ensuring we deliver our customers a quality product and service”.
David was honoured as one of Wales’ top business directors at the sixth IoD Wales Director of the Year Awards held at Cardiff’s SSE SWALEC 20th May 2016 and will now be entered into the National finals, due to be held in London in the Autumn.
