IT’S excellent news for one of Rakem’s longest-serving employees, Kieran Rafferty, who recently received recognition for his work within the paper industry.
  
Mr Rafferty was awarded an incredible award from the Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA).
  
This prestigious award – the PITA Insignia – has only ever been awarded to eight other people in its history with Mr Rafferty being the 9th.
  
Itan achievement that recognizes major contribution to the Association, usually in a form which has taken place over many years and involving a number of different activities of the Association.
  
It also highlights the achievements of Mr Rafferty’s career running over 20 years, with dedication and hard work, knowledge and evolution within the paper industry.
 
  
On receiving the award, Mr Rafferty said: “I am very humbled by receiving the award. I am quite overwhelmed actually, as I thoroughly respect the people who have received it before me.”
  
The first ever PITA award was issued to B.C Williams back in 1998, a time where Mr Rafferty first came into the business alongside his father and founder of Rakem, Frank Rafferty.
  
He said: “I have enjoyed working with the Association since my dad brought me to my first ever meeting over 20 years ago – and that was my first week at Rakem! After two decades I can honestly say that working within the industry has given me great memories and some of my best friends.”
  
The Paper Industry Technical Association (PITA) is an independent, member-based organization, which operates for the general benefit of its members – both individual and corporate. It is dedicated to promoting and improving the technical and scientific knowledge of those working in the Fibrous Forest Products Industries – such as pulp, paper, wood panel, molded pulp and other similar industries.
  
Speaking of the changes that he has seen over the past twenty years, Mr Rafferty added: ” The paper industry has faced many issues in the last few years. 
  
“It is a privilege that I, along with colleagues and partners have been able to make a difference within the business that we love and are passionate about. We hope that our work at Rakem and Maker will continue to ensure continued support to what is a vital UK industry and I am almost certain – we will.” 
  
Speaking of Mr Rafferty’s achievements, PITA’s Chief Executive, Barry Read said: “This award shows that Kieran has dedicated so much of his time and effort to the Association and the outcome is clearly fantastic. His knowledge within the industry is second-to-none and the Paper Industry Technical Association are pleased to hand this prestigious award over to a well-deserved recipient.” 
  
The PITA award handed over to Mr Rafferty is a small scale replica of a hand mould carrying the Association’s seal – it will now be placed in the trophy cabinet at the Bury-based premesis.
 
Maker Industrial Products is a sister company to Rakem. It is a confidential toll manufacturer who also supplies slurries and bespoke, ready to use, paper coating formulations.
  
From its purpose built production unit in, it is the only Independent Slurry facility able to provide, Kaolin, Calcium Carbonate and TiO2 dispersions for the paper and associated industries.