Glasgow-based R-Biopharm Rhône (RBR), a business which manufactures and distributes test kits for the analysis of foodstuffs for a diverse range of constituents and potential contaminants, has joined the elite ranks of UK businesses accredited with the Investors in People (IIP) Platinum award.

The company, employing 60 people at its West of Scotland Science Park base in the north west of the city, is one of the UK’s most successful exporters in its field, selling more than 70 per cent of its output to major international companies outside the UK.

Investors in People Platinum is the highest standard of the IIP accreditation and is an endorsement held by just 70 companies, or 1 per cent of the 8,300 UK firms with some form of IIP accreditation. IIP standards are internationally recognised accreditations held by over 10,000 organisations across the world.

Simon Bevis, Managing Director of RBR, said: “We are delighted that our business has been assessed as one which meets the standards of IIP’s Platinum accreditation.

“When people ask me about the benefits of investing time and effort into achieving the IIP Platinum rating, my answer is that it is completely worthwhile as it proves itself to be instrumental in many aspects of the business including an important contribution to staff recruitment and retention levels.

“Most other things being equal, if a job candidate is struggling to choose between companies, who would not be more attracted to a business with an IIP Platinum rating?

“We spend a lot of our lives at work and it’s important to feel happy, involved and well looked after; IIP Platinum accreditation speaks volumes for the quality of the people in the organisation and the way everyone is engaged and involved in decision making and moving the business forward.” 

Mr Bevis continued: “Equally, the UK and global business environment is becoming more demanding, with customers seeking reassurance from their suppliers that they meet the highest ethical and people management standards.

“Therefore, possession of the IIP Platinum accreditation is invaluable in reassuring these customers that, in dealing with RBR, they are doing business with a company that has been assessed by a highly-respected third party and has been judged to meet the highest management, organisational and ethical standards.”

In recent years, RBR has been engaged in increasing demand for reliable testing solutions and with in-house, state of the art research and development and production facilities, it has been able to able to respond to these needs successfully.

It specialises in kits for the analysis of toxins, vitamins and allergens which are used by its customers in a wide range of sectors including dairy, cereal, animal feed and beverage manufacturing.