Pants on top

Independent men’s underwear business “Pants” has been awarded “Business of the Year 2012” as top regional talents take the accolades in a Greater Manchester business awards.
The annual ‘Pride of Tameside’ Business Awards 2012 recognises the very best employers and companies and celebrates the continued economic success of the Tameside borough of Greater Manchester.

Pants UK Ltd stole the show at this year’s awards, scooping the top accolade “Business of the Year 2012.”

Winning businesses must display outstanding leadership and vision, as well as evidence of successful performance against challenging objectives. Businesses have to demonstrate exceptional growth, product and service development or new import/export opportunities. Green credentials and Corporate Social Responsibility are also important elements.

Pants, was started with a £500 grant from Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and operates a men’s designer underwear store in Manchester city centre and a media-rich e-commerce platform www.pantsHQ.com.  In January 2012 it acquired it’s own luxury label, buying Brighton-based Sterling Clothing.   The new range is currently being developed and will be unveiled later this year along with mens’ fragrance, facewash and moisturiser.  This month also see’s Pants break into the music scene with ‘UndieNation’ – an underwear-themed dance event in Manchester which, with top name DJ’s is set to draw a crowd.

The company impressed the judges with fantastic growth performance in a challenging climate, inspired marketing campaigns which promote positive self-image, innovation, embracing modern technology and the use of social media to engage customers with its own unique tongue-in-cheek playful style, demonstrating that ‘Pants’ is a highly professional business, but one that doesn’t take itself too seriously. 

The judges praised the company for “having a strong commitment to keeping a local base in Tameside, even though they have clients in mainstream cities and prime locations across the country” as well as its commitment to corporate social responsibility and green issues.

Councilor Kieran Quinn, leader of Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council said “For any of our firms to prosper in today’s climate is worthy of recognition and that’s all we are trying to achieve – recognition for their continued economic success which goes towards making Tameside a place for your business to flourish”

Darren Bevan, Pants’ Operations Director commented “We’re extremely proud to be Tameside’s Business of the Year.  Tameside has been really good to us - from the grant we received at the start, to the ongoing support from the local council, local media and other businesses in the region.  We have worked our ‘pants off’ over the last two years to build the business from nothing to where it is now.  Whilst we still have a long way to go, this award ratifies every decision we have made, which is reassuring in this difficult economic climate.”

Published: 21-Jun-2012: (1352)