UK Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green has praised the achievements of the world’s leading tear tape producer Payne during a visit to the company’s Nottinghamshire headquarters.

From local origins supplying the textile industry Payne is now the leading manufacturer of pressure sensitive tear tape, providing customers with a wide range of easy opening, brand protection and branding and communications packaging solutions.

Payne operates from seven countries over four continents and is celebrating its centenary this year. It delivers tear tape to over 100 countries, with more than 95 per cent of its total production sold for use outside the UK.

_{Lisa Weedon, Private Secretary to Lord Green; Colin Day, Chief Executive, Filtrona plc; Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, Minister of State for Trade and Investment; Tony Edwards, Managing Director, Filtrona Coated & Security Products; Peter Hogarth, UK Trade & Investment, International Trade Director, East Midlands; Adam Thomas, UK Trade & Investment, Senior Press Officer, Defence & Security; Simon Wildash, Head of Marketing, Payne}

During a tour of the facility, the Minister was shown Payne’s latest gravure printing, coating and converting lines, which drive the very best in quality and products for customers.

He visited Payne’s technology and design facilities, where high impact designs are created to offer manufacturers unrivalled opportunities to promote their brands while also adding security and anti-counterfeiting measures.

And the Minister saw the latest security products available from sister company Payne Security. Its most recent innovation is a covert product authentication system which delivers a robust and cost-effective method for Governments and companies to protect against fraudulent and counterfeit activity, by differentiating between genuine and illicit products or documents. In April, it was announced as winner of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Lord Green said: “This Government is dedicated to championing successful and growing British companies at a time when exports are so vital to the UK’s economy. Payne is a great example of how British expertise and creativity can have an enormous impact around the world

“I also congratulate Payne Security, in its centenary year, on winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise. This further highlights the company as a genuine East Midlands and British success story.”

Tony Edwards, Payne Divisional Managing Director, said: “We were delighted to have the opportunity to show Lord Green the latest developments and technology which we believe will keep us at the forefront of the industry. We welcome the Government’s commitment to further supporting British companies in overseas markets.”

Payne’s centenary is to be marked in September by a day of celebrations and the formal Grant of Appointment of the Queen’s Award by the Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir Andrew Buchanan Bt, KCVO.