FOR the third generation of the Peers clan, keeping it in the family has paid off with the company scooping Family Business category at the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Bernice Peers, SHE adviser, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. We’re a family company and it’s a fabulous family so I’m very, very pleased.

“There was strong competition, but I think we deserve it after all these years and I want to pay tribute to all the hard work of everyone at the company, especially Gill Prior who has been superb.”

For more than 75 years, The Peers Group has stayed true to its original philosophy of strong family working ethics.

Based at Elton Street, Mill Hill, Bolton, the company designs, supplies, fabricates, delivers and erects structural steelwork and ancillary goods.

Its roots go back to 1933 when Harry Peers, senior, formed Harry Peers & Co Ltd at the age of 47.

His son, Harry Peers, junior, the current chairman, continued to expand the company after he took over in 1953. And his son, Michael, is the present managing director.

Michael Peers formed a subsidiary company, Harry Peers Steelwork, in 1982 and continues to build the reputation of the business through state-of-the-art technology.

Mrs Marilyn Taylor, general manager of The Peers Group, said: “We regularly employ local suppliers to complete required works in all aspects of the business, from builders, electricians and painters to office and works staff.”

While the company’s strict family ethos has remain unchanged since 1933, working practices have always moved with the times. From the early days of template boards and riveting, substantial investment and technology has enabled the firm’s drawing office to download CAD files directly to the fully automated drill, cut and cope machines.

The award was sponsored by Warburtons bakers.