Nine East Midlands companies are among a total of 230 businesses from across the UK who are celebrating as being named as winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Businesses were recognised for their contribution in four categories: international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity. Winners include businesses leading the way in a broad range of industries – from agricultural technology and sustainable goods production, to innovative software and healthcare.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “The UK has some of the most entrepreneurial and innovative minds in the world delivering jobs, growth and greater choice for consumers and I am proud to see a wealth of these businesses being recognised today.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy – 99% of UK firms are small and over 1,000 new businesses start every day. Through our Industrial Strategy we are building a Britain in which they will continue to thrive.”
Brian James Trailers, a manufacturer from Daventry won the award for International Trade, while CE & LE Attenborough, dental laboratory from Nottingham, scooped an Innovation title.
Also winning in the Innovation category is HSG, a Derby manufacturer and supplier of water saving systems for washrooms. The company has won a Queen’s Award for Innovation for the novel design of its Ureco urinal.
HSG managing director Simon Rice said: “I couldn’t believe it when the letter arrived that our application for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise we had been successful.
“It will give us the platform to forge on with our future research and development in more new products.
“Although we are a relatively small company, we certainly punch above our weight in the industry and have some of the most prestigious venues in the country on our client portfolio.
“It is therefore a huge honour to be able to display the emblem on all our packaging and marketing materials and to fly the flag outside our offices in Pride Park.”
Nottingham-based Microlise wins an Award in the International Trade category. The company provides telematics for the transport & logistics sector.
Nadeem Raza, Microlise chief executive, said: “We are tremendously proud to win this award which comes with an elevated level of prestige, given its association with Her Majesty the Queen. It’s a very exciting time for Microlise and this award is testament to the amazing work that our team has been undertaking over the last three years. I would like to thank the entire Microlise team for the effort which has led to our excellent results, both internationally and in our domestic market.”
MIRA Technology Park on the Leicestershire/Warwickshire bored also receives an International Trade Award, while Tom Hartley Jnr, the Swadlincote classic car trader which only started trading in 2014 also scoops an International gong.
TTS Group of Kirky-in-Ashfied is another recipient of a International Trade Award – the firm sells 19,000 educational support products.
And Welland Power of Spalding receives an International Trade Award. With strong growth in overseas sales, total sales and a high percentage sales exported, Welland Power wins the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years.
Meanwhile, Leicestershire-based boutique tour operator Magnetic North Travel wins an Award for International Trade in recognition of the company’s international sales growth over the past three years.
Company founder Laura Greenman said: ““Winning a Queen’s Award is fantastic recognition for the hard work of the whole team here at Magnetic North Travel. We are all absolutely thrilled that our success has received such a high accolade.”
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