Triumph over adversity

NJ Products Limited has doubled its staff and enjoyed steady growth since 2008.

But the Birstall firm was rocked when one of its manging directors, Myron Matejczuk, suffered a heart attack while at work in January 2010.

His business partner Alan Tomlinson said: “He got violent chest pains and an ambulance came and carted him away.

“He had to have heart surgery and was off work for four months and weaned himself back into business after that.”

Despite losing Mr Matejcuk and his wife Lesley, who also works at the firm, for that period, the company managed 50 per cent growth that year.

“It was all hands to the pump and working as hard as we could while they weren’t here,” Mr Tomlinson added.

“We had to fight on.”

In February 2011 the team faced another challenge when the 51-year-old was diagnosed with bladder cancer and had to begin treatment.

But the staff are determined to support their managing director and continue their success.

The firm, which supplies muffin and cupcake cases, greaseproof paper and other tableware products, is hoping to expand into the international market over the next 12 months.