A BUSINESS which has recently relocated to Wellington has been visited by the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset.

Annie Maw went to John Packer Musical Instruments on Tuesday, December 4, to honour them with the Queen’s Award.

John Packer Ltd has been running for more than 40 years and specialises in brass and woodwind instruments.

The company’s instruments are shipping worldwide to more than 300 retailers.

Earlier this year, staff were given the Queen’s award for Enterprise in the International Trade category.

Rob Hanson, director of John Packer Ltd, said the company was ‘honoured’ to receive the award.

He said: “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is highly prestigious and globally recognised, so we are very proud of how the company has forged an international presence, from a humble instrument repair service.

“It’s also of huge personal pride to John Packer that instruments which bear his name are used so widely by education services, all manner of bands and professional players from Taunton to Tonga, the Midwest to Moscow, Ireland to Iceland.”

The Lord Lieutenant’s visit also coincided with the opening of the company’s new premises at Chelston Business Park. It moved from Staplegrove Road in Taunton due to expansion of the business.

Mr Hanson added: “Our passion and commitment to customer service and longevity are paramount to our success and growth.

“But we’re also keen to keep expanding our range and building on our successful design collaborations so that we can continue to serve a universal desire to make music.”

With the increased recognition of the brand, John Packer Ltd has also collaborated with other international manufacturers, such as Smith-Watkins – which supply instruments to the Ministry of Defence, Michael Rath Trombones, Sterling Musical Instruments and Taylor Trumpets.