THE Lord Lieutenant of Somerset Mohammed Saddiq has visited a Wellington business to present a commemorative award and scroll on behalf of King Charles.

It follows the recent award of the King’s Award for Enterprise to John Packer Musical Instruments, based in Chelston Business Park.

The company manufactures, retails, and distributes brass and woodwind musical instruments worldwide.

Mr Saddiq was given a tour of the firm’s retail, office, and warehouse facilities, and chatted with members of staff about the company’s continued growth.

JP Musical Instruments celebrated its 50th anniversary last year and won the prestigious King’s Award in the international trade category in recognition of the outstanding international growth of the business.

It is the second time the company has won the award, having received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the international trade category in 2018.

Managing director Rob Hanson said: “It was a huge honour to welcome His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Somerset to John Packer Musical Instruments, and to show him around our retail, office, and warehouse facilities.

“Mr Saddiq showed great interest in the continued growth of the company, and was particularly interested in the considerable development in the export side of the business, as we export John Packer musical instruments to more than 40 countries all over the world.”

Mr Hanson attended a reception at Windsor Castle in June where he spoke with King Charles, the Princess Royal, and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

The King’s Award programme is now in its 59th year and is the most prestigious business award in the country.

Successful businesses are able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

JP Musical Instruments also celebrated last year’s half-century milestone by acquiring Rath Trombones, in Yorkshire, and Taylor Trumpets, in Norfolk, ensuring sustained UK manufacturing of high-end, hand-crafted musical instruments played the world over.