Norbar is Best UK Family Business

The company was established in 1942 and is a third generation family business, which became the first firm in Britain to manufacture torque wrenches commercially. Initial demand was driven by the need for the gasket-less cylinder head of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine to be accurately tightened. Since then, Norbar has continued to invest in the very latest design, manufacturing and quality control technology to achieve the highest level of innovation and precision in the field of torque control and equipment. The company now employs 200 people in Banbury, with a further 90 staff within its sales companies overseas. The company's philosophy is about providing customers with high quality value for money products and services whilst being committed to the principals of environmental sustainability. Juliette Johnson, Senior Family Business Adviser, Coutts & Co commented: "With the current economic downturn, businesses are finding it increasingly difficult to survive, which therefore increases the value of recognising these family businesses and their work. The companies that scored most highly were the ones that were able to give examples of what they had achieved."