A GLOBAL mining giant has strengthened links between Wisconsin and the Ribble Valley by naming an engineering firm as its supplier of the year.

Clitheroe Light Engineering, based on UpBrooks Industrial Estate, beat a host of best-in-class suppliers from across the UK to secure the accolade from Milwaukee-based mining equipment manufacturer, Joy Global.

The company manufactures a range turned components and valve manifolds that are used in mines as far afield as Russia, China, America, Australia and India.

“Our quality is second to no one and it has given the whole team a lift that their hard work and dedication has been recognised in this way,” said the 30-strong firm’s managing director, Mrs Helen Meloy.

“We’ve invested more than £5m in state-of-the-art machinery to keep on top of our quality performance and price competitiveness and awards like this confirm that our strategy is the right one.”

The business was founded in 1973 by Kevin Wilkinson and Norman Burgess and its components are used within machines that support the roofs of mine shafts whilst the coal is being cut.

Mrs Meloy added: “Every day I turn up for work it makes me proud that the safety of miners all around the world is supported by our team here.

“British businesses can export anywhere with the right quality, the right price and the right service ethos.”

Joy Mining is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of custom-made mining engineering equipment with revenues in excess of $5bn.

Clitheroe Light Engineering also supplies components to the hydraulics, aerospace and medical industries.