Swansway Group has made it first appearance in the listing for the UK's Best Workplaces, achieving 16th place.

It achieved the ranking in the 'large' company category, employing more than 500 people.

AM100 group chairman Michael Smyth said: “We are so proud of the culture and ethos that we’ve built at Swansway over the last 10 years; my sons, David, John and Peter, have made the business and every member of staff our family and together we believe we’ve created something very special.”

In compiling the list the organisation behind it, the Great Place to Work Institute, looks for three key elements in a great workplace; management that staff trust, employees who have pride in what they do and who enjoy working with their colleagues.

As Swansway  celebrates its 10th year in business, director John Smyth, said: “We’re no overnight success story, although 2013 has seen us scoop a host of awards, it’s been a long and sometimes difficult road to where we are today.

“Having grown the group by acquiring a number of failing businesses, it’s taken us 10 years to build trust and create a culture where we can count the staff as our family and they can count on us to deliver on our promises, so to achieve such a high, first-time ranking, in the Great Workplaces' list is a real pat on the back to each and every one of our staff."

Swansway’s culture is, the company says, contributing to sustained employment. Its pre-tax profits were £3.3 million in 2012 and continue to grow, with an anticipated £2.5m before tax profits for the first half of 2013.

At number one in the large company list was credit card provider Capital One. Swansway is ahead of Mercedes-Benz Retail Group and Mercedes-Benz UK at 24 and 25 respectively, and is the top placed automotive company.

More on the Great Place to Work ethos.