UK agricultural machinery manufacturer, Alvan Blanch Development Company, was this week presented with its Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2012 by the Lord Lieutenant for Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Troughton.
The Award – a celebratory cut-glass bowl – and a short speech were given by the Lord Lieutenant on Tuesday, 19th February.
The presentation took place in a newly completed stores area of the Alvan Blanch factory. This extension is only part of a £2 million investment programme over the past 12 months, including the purchase and upgrade of the company’s CNC machinery and the erection of several new industrial buildings.
Alvan Blanch managing director Andrew Blanch had considered moving some the company’s production overseas due to a lack of available skills in the region. However, he decided instead to invest heavily in new production machinery in order to make the same high-quality machinery, but produced more efficiently.
“I’m really glad we have done it,” said Mr Blanch. “Everyone feels positive about working in a company where we are investing money.”
Alvan Blanch is now exporting its post-harvest processing equipment like grain driers to 90 countries across the world, including Russia, which has become one of its biggest markets.
As part of the Award, two members of staff – one from the factory, and one from the office – representing the company were invited to Buckingham Palace at the end of 2012. The event hosted representatives from all companies who received the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise was attended by HRM The Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
