Automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover was presented with this year's Queen's Award for Enterprise in International.
The accolade recognises the success of the firm’s global export drive.
Paul Chandrasekharan Sabapathy, Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, presented the prize at the group’s headquarters in Whitley.
Overseas sales have increased for JLR from 274,280 vehicles in 2011 to 425,006 in 2013. Exports make up over 80% of all vehicles produced at its three UK manufacturing sites.
The organisation’s biggest export regions are mainland Europe, North America and China, which combined account for 60% of all exports.
Since 2011, the firm has created 11,000 new jobs and estimates these will produce an extra 24,000 roles in the supply chain.
In 2013, Jaguar Land Rover was named Responsible Business of the Year.
JLR chief executive Ralf Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover is delighted and honoured to receive recognition of its contribution to British enterprise and I am privileged to accept this award on behalf of our 30,000 employees.
“Our success, driven by global exports to over 170 countries, is thanks to our dedicated and passionate employees who create exciting vehicles that are in high demand with customers around the world.
“The Queen’s Award is one of the most important awards for British businesses.
“We are extremely proud that our positive contribution to society and to the growth of the UK economy has enabled us to achieve this.”
The Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
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Enter TM’s annual awards scheme, The Manufacturer of the Year Awards.
The scheme celebrates the achievements of manufacturing businesses and individuals across 14 categories and crowns an overall victor for The Manufacturer of the Year Award title.
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The deadline for entries to The Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2014 is July 31.
