Pembrokeshire company wins King’s Award for Enterprise

A family-owned Welsh company that invented the world’s first patented insulin cooling wallet has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise, for International Trade.

Based in Wolfscastle near Haverfordwest, FRIO UK is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognized with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.

The company launched the world’s first patented cooling wallet in 1996, with production commencing on the family farm in Pembrokeshire.

The products allow people living with diabetes or other conditions, that are treated with temperature-sensitive medication, to remain safe while travelling or during their everyday life.

FRIO still operates from the farm in a purpose-built international headquarters and distribution centre.

The company has built a worldwide market for its products, today exporting to over 70 countries, since first developing the technology to keep Team GB athletes cool at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, USA.

Chris Wolsey, Managing Director of FRIO UK since 2011, whose late parents Garnet and Althea Wolsey invented the FRIO wallet said:

“This award is a testament to the innovation and vision that my parents brought to the world of diabetes. They would be so proud to see their life-changing invention, which has helped millions of people with diabetes, winning the King’s Award for Enterprise.

It is also a testament to the FRIO team, whose dedication and hard work over the years, has established FRIO wallets as the number one brand of Medication cooling products internationally. We are thrilled and proud to be a Welsh company that is positively impacting people’s health on a truly global scale.”

FRIO wallets contain specially formulated crystals that transform into a gel when activated by water, keeping insulin and other temperature-sensitive medicines cool and safe.

The gel uses evaporative technology to release a cooling effect on the housed medication keeping it between 18°- 26° Celsius for a minimum of 45 hours in a constant environmental temperature of 37.8°. The FRIO Wallet can be used continuously by simply reactivating in water when required.

If not kept at a safe temperature, insulin and other temperature-sensitive medication for conditions such as anaphylaxis, asthma and some Crohn’s can become less potent. A weakened dose of medication can have a serious negative effect on treating the condition effectively.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Visit: www.friouk.com