A dozen companies from across the West Midlands region have been recognised in the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for their exporting success, it has been announced. Business Secretary Sajid Javid named the winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, two thirds of which (150 companies) are being celebrated for their exporting success.
The announcement came during Exporting is GREAT week where UK Trade & Investment West Midlands is holding nine events across the regions to inspire local companies to grow their businesses overseas and provide advice and support to do so.
Of the 150 Queen’s Award for International trade winners, 12 are from the West Midlands region, demonstrating the impressive overseas ambition of businesses to go global. They include MCP, a Solihull-based consultancy that provides asset management consulting and training services.
Peter Gagg, managing director, said: “We're honoured to have been recognised for our contribution to International Trade. For the next five years, we can display the emblem with pride and to further our success in the UK and overseas.
“This honour is a reflection of the strong principles established by the founders of the company. Winning the Queen’s Award marks a change in the business and reflects the commitment of our employees, associates and clients who supported the company throughout this time.”
Other West Midlands region winners are: The Binding Site Group, Birmingham, wqhich specialises in producing highly sensitive and highly specific antibodies for the detection of certain cancers and other serious disorders. The company exports over 89% of what it manufactures and has seen its international trade more than double in value from 2010 to 2015.
Hoshizaki Europe Limited, Telford, Shropshire, which produces 80% of Hoshizaki ice machines sold in Europe; Winsted Ltd, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, which designs, manufactures and delivers control room furniture solutions; Dermal Thermal Technology Ltd, Keele, Staffordshire, the largest provider of non-animal skin absorption studies in the world; health food retailer Holland and Barrett, Nuneaton, Warwickshire; JMB Partnership, sales and marketing Agency, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire; tableware designer and manufacturer Portmeirion Group, Staffordshire; and Lock, Stock & Barrel Grooming Company, Birmingham, which supplies professional salon products.
JCB Compact Products, which designs and manufactures a range of compact construction equipment at its factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire has also been awarded the Queen’s Award, as has Orchard Valley Food Ltd, Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire, producer of food decorations and food ingredients; and baking powders and raising agents manufacturer Kudos Blends Ltd, which is based in Cleobury Mortimer, Worcestershire.
Widely regarded as the most prestigious business awards in the country, 2016 marks the 50th anniversary for the winners of the Queen’s Awards scheme in what is also her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday year.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said:
“The Queen’s Awards are a great way of celebrating the best of British business. Whether you’re a disruptive start-up making life easier for your customers or a large company with a blockbuster product, these awards recognise your contribution to enterprise.
“We are a country full of exciting and innovative businesses that deserve to be celebrated. I’d like to commend all the winners for their hard work in creating jobs for people and driving our growing economy.”
Those looking to achieve overseas success and be eligible for next year’s awards should take advantage of the online resource on www.exportingisgreat.gov.uk to register for webinars, twitter talks, access expert advice and apply for one of the nearly 2000 export opportunities currently available.
