Manufacturing and engineering businesses have always featured prominently in the annual Queen’s Awards and this year’s list is no exception.
Now in their 54th year, the Queen’s Awards are considered the highest accolade bestowed upon a British business (outside of The Manufacture MX Awards, naturally) and showcase excellence in the areas of international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
With industrial business across the nation currently pitching in to address the shocking lack of PPE healthcare workers face, the long list of Queen’s Awards winners further demonstrates the vital role our sector plays.
This page is a showcase of every UK-based manufacturing or engineering recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020.
In an effort to keep this frequently updated page as clear and concise as possible, only top-level information has been provided. Where possible, more specific details and quotes will by hyperlinked.
If your story should be included, let us know via [email protected]
In alphabetical order by company name with award category:
ACCLES & POLLOCK – International Trade
The precision metal tubular assembly business which is part of Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance, has won the the International Trade category in the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The Oldbury-based firm, which was established over 100 years ago and acquired by GFG’s Liberty House business in 2015, won the award for growth in exports that doubled over two years to £4.7m in 2018/19. Accles & Pollock specialises in high-spec components for aerospace engines, nuclear submarines and land-based power generation.
ADDER TECHNOLOGY LIMITED – International Trade
Cambridge based – Design and manufacture KVM switches enabling reliable control of computers and IT infrastructure.
ADDMASTER UK – Innovation
Stafford-based Addmaster has won it’s third Queen’s Award. The company is a leading developer of performance-enhancing additives for the plastic, paper, textile, paints and coatings industry. It has secured its first win in the Innovation category after using its technology to improve hygiene and preserve the environment by encouraging safer use of reusable products.
The Award also recognises the firm’s contribution to eliminating plastic waste and improving public hygiene by creating a range of reusable plastics, including an antimicrobial coffee cup and its work with global retailers on creating the first antimicrobial ‘bag for life’ attracting specific attention.
For more see here
AERISTECH – Innovation
British electric motor specialist Aeristech has been awarded a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation in recognition of its work to develop a series of increasingly advanced, electric motors.
For more see here
AIR COVERS LTD – International Trade
Wrexham based – design and manufacture of bespoke environmental protective covers for the international aviation market.
AIRPURE INTERNATIONAL LTD – International Trade
Bury based designers, manufactures and innovators of home and car fragrance products have been awarded a Queen’s Award for International Trade.
ALPHIN PANS – International Trade
Based in Oldham – supplies both the fast food industry and overseas OEMs as a subcontractor with metalwork.
ANT GROUP LIMITED T/A ANTISTAT AND INREGRITY CLEANROOM – International Trade
Based in Bury St Edmunds – Ant Group manufacture ESD static control consumables for technology & engineering production areas & cleanrooms.
ARROWSMITH ENGINEERING – International Trade
Coventry-based aerospace supplier Arrowsmith Engineering has pivoted to supply critical parts for ventilators in recent weeks and is now celebrating after it received the Queen’s Award for International Trade.
The company, which employs 76 people at its Bayton Road factory, secured the prestigious accolade after it recorded a 996% increase in export activity over the last three years, supplying precision components to global manufacturers including Rolls-Royce, GKN, ITP and Siemens.
BG AUTOMOTIVE – International Trade
Swindon based BG Automtive design, manufacture and distribute automotive aftermarket components with worldwide distribution. The company supplies Jaguar Land Rover and Caterpillar as well as the rail and aerospace, white goods and domestic appliances, oil and gas, agriculture and electronics industries.
BERWIN INDUSTRIAL POLYMERS -International Trade
Based in Lydney, Gloucestershire – full internal design and manufacture of rubber compounds covering tyres, mats and industrial products.
CARNAUDMETALBOX ENGINEERING – Innovation
Shipley based CarnaudMetalbox Engineering Designs, develops and manufactures high-performance metal forming and finishing machinery for the production of beverage, food and aerosol cans.
The Innovative product that won CMbE this new honour is the patented reformattm Spray Machine, a servo driven internal spray machine for canmaking, developed to improve the speed, efficiency and process control for evenly coating the inside of food or beverage cans with a precise amount of lacquer, preventing food or drink contact with the metal of the can body.
For more see here
CELTIC SHEEPSKIN & CO T/A CELTIC & CO – International Trade
This Newquay-based firm designs, manufactures and sells sheepskin footwear. It also designs and sells of natural fibre clothing.
CHELSOM LTD – International Trade
Blackpool based design and manufacturer of decorative contract lighting for the international hospitality and marine markets. The company had ‘achieved impressive export growth across multiple markets particularly in North America, the Middle East and Europe’.
CLARK DOOR LTD – International Trade
Cumbrian manufacturer Clark Door Ltd has been awarded The Queen’s Award for International Trade 2020. The independent company’s specialist doors are manufactured in Carlisle, Cumbria for projects throughout the UK and exported around the world.
CUT4CLOTH LIMITED T/A FRUGI – International Trade & Sustainable Development
Frugi creates ethical and organic clothing for children, mothers and mothers-to-be. It is based in Helston and employs 80 people.
DPS DESIGNS LTD – International Trade
Coleford based company designing chocolates and manufacturing chocolate moulds. They also design and manufacture structural vacuum forming mould tools.
DRIVE SYSTEM DESIGN – International Trade
British engineering specialist, Drive System Design (DSD) has been presented with The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
The success recognises the sustained growth achieved from its Leamington Spa headquarters – where it serves a growing portfolio of global vehicle manufacturer and Tier 1 supplier customers – and continued expansion overseas.
For more see here
DUO UK – Innovation
Manchester-headquartered packaging specialist, Duo UK, has been recognised for its excellence in innovation for the DuoOptipac mailing bag.
The DuoOptipac was created and developed by a team at Duo UK’s Manchester site. Together, they developed and built a new packaging innovation that would provide ecommerce retailers with a parcel bag to create fulfilment efficiencies and convenience for both customers and retailers.
For more see here
ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT CONSORTIUM T/A EEC PERFORMANCE SYSTEMS – Innovation
Leicester based manufacturers and suppliers of the f-POD range of Intelligent Race Fuel Bowsers and Rigs & one of the UK’s leading vacuum packaging specialists for the food industry.
EUORMIXERS LTD – International Trade
Cheadle Hulme based design and manufacture of Industrial Fluid Mixers for a wide range of applications. This is the company’s third Queen’s Award.
EVANS VANODINE INTERNATIONAL PLC – International Trade
Preston based manufacturer of cleaning and hygiene chemicals for professional industrial use and for animal health.
FLAIR FLOORING GROUP – International Trade
Based in Glossop, NW England, Flair design, source and supply rugs to retailers, wholesalers and agents globally.
FPW AXLES LTD – International Trade
Design and manufacture of axles for every application of special purpose vehicle based in Accrington.
GRAINGER & WORRALL – Innovation
Bridgnorth based castings specialist, Grainger & Worrall has been recognised for its pioneering “Next Generation” castings work.
GRAY & ADAMS LTD – Innovation
Gray & Adams is the UK market-leader in the manufacture of specialist temperature controlled and bespoke vehicles. Its main production facility is in Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire and they also have operational sites across the UK in Doncaster, Dunfermline and Newtownabbey.
HARDIDE PLC – International Trade
Oxfordshire-based advanced surface coating technology company, Hardide plc, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding short-term Growth in overseas sales, which increased by 152% over the three years to 30 September 2018. The company continued this into the year ended 30 September 2019, securing record overall revenues of which 67% were international.
HIB – Innovation
Bathroom supplier with Head Office in New Southgate, N. London and their National Distribution Centre, based near Tamworth has been identified for its excellence in innovation, which is central to the ongoing success of the company.
For more see here
INSPECS HOLDINGS LTD – International Trade
Bath based global eyewear design house and manufacturer (branded and OEM optical glasses, sunglasses, and safety eyewear).
JONIC ENGINEERING LTD – Innovation
Birmingham based manufacturer of hydraulic cylinders.
KWIKBOLT LTD – Innovation & International Trade
Isleworth based business Kwikbolt Ltd – become a double Queen award winner in 2020 for Innovation and International Trade. The company is one of 4 to be a double award winner this year.
Employing 8 people, Kwikbolt was set up in 2011 and design and manufacture temporary fasteners for the aerospace and defence industry.
LEYLAND TRUCKS LTD – International Trade
Lancashire based design and manufacturer of commercial vehicles for a large range of transportation applications.
For more see here
LOWDEN GUITARS – International Trade
Downpatrick-based guitar maker Lowden Guitars has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. Following their recent celebration of 45 years in the business of creating high-quality guitars and the launch of their collaboration with Ed Sheeran on the Sheeran by Lowden brand in early 2019, the legacy of Founder and luthier George Lowden and his team of skilled guitar makers has been recognised with this prestigious award.
NIM’S FRUIT CRISPS – Innovation
Nim’s Fruit Crisps, which employs 18 people at its bespoke A-Grade BRC accredited facility in Sittingbourne, joins an elite firm of businesses to receive it’s first Queen’s Award after enjoying significant retail success with the UK’s only air-dried fruit and vegetable crisps and range of edible teas.
ORTHOPLASTICS LTD – International Trade
Lancashire based Orthoplastics is a leading materials supplier to the world’s orthopaedic device manufacturers.
OVERVIEW LTD – Innovation
Woking based – innovative family of precision intelligent drive motors, delivering outstanding accuracy, speed range and silent operation.
PACKEXE LTD – Innovation
Exeter based manufacturer of self adhesive protective film. Awarded for their unique and innovative glass management tool used by Fire & Rescue services worldwide.
PCE GROUP – International Trade
Beccles based PCE Group – Combining complementary technologies in the Design, Manufacture and Programming of ‘World-Class’, automation solutions.
PHOTOCENTRIC LTD – Innovation
Peterborough based company that uses novel method of 3D printing utilising visible light from LCD screens to create objects. It was Photocentric’s third Queen’s Award to date.
PREMIER TOOLING SYSTEMS LTD – International Trade
A family run business in Accrington which does tooling design and manufacture for radio frequency welding, heat sealing, vacuum forming, jigs and fixtures.
SEBL GROUP LTD T/A INSTASMILE LTD – International Trade
Based in Newton-le-Willows, St Helens and design and manufacture custom 3D clip-on veneers – an affordable alternative to traditional cosmetic dentistry.
SIMPLY DOUGHNUTS LTD – Innovation
Lancashire based British manufacturer of extended shelf-life doughnuts.
SLINGCO – International Trade
Winning their second Queen’s Award in four years, Lancashire-based engineering company, Slingco, has been named a winner of the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Founded in 1980 by Chris Dykins, Slingco supplies steel net platforms and cable installation and support products to a wide range of markets including electrical utilities, oil & gas, renewables, subsea and aerospace.
STANDFAST & BARRACKS – International Trade
Lancaster based design and manufacturer of premium printed fabrics for the high end residential home furnishings market.
STAINLESS METALCRAFT LTD T/A METALCRAFT – PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY (THROUGH SOCIAL MOBILITY)
Stainless Metalcraft, a subsidiary of Avingtrans, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, specifically for its work with apprentices that promotes opportunity.
The business, which was founded over 150 years ago, supplies components for performance-critical industries around the world, including medical technologies, oil & gas, nuclear, renewable energy, marine and Big Science. The award recognises Metalcraft’s commitment to increasing social mobility by providing pathways into long-term engineering careers for local people.
Its apprenticeship scheme has operated for over 100 years and was reinvigorated in 2010, since when it has launched the engineering careers of more than 30 young people and helped tackle an impending skills shortage by reducing the average age of the workforce from 54 to 44.
TELEDYNE DEFENCE & SPACE, A DIVISION OF TELEDYNE LIMITED – Innovation
Based in Shipley, West Yorkshire, Teledyne Defence & Space (TDS) is a leader in the design and development of microwave/ RF components and subsystems.
THE NATURAL MAT COMPANY – Sustainable Development
Organic, sustainable beds and mattresses made by hand in Devon.
3P INNOVATION LTD – Innovation
3P innovation has been awarded with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, in recognition of outstanding achievement for innovation for their Fill2Weight powder dosing technology.
3P engineers originally developed Fill2Weight after identifying challenges in the field of micro-dosing and filling of powder for inhalers, that could be overcome with the application of technologies in a new and novel way. Designed to address these challenges, the Queen’s Awards have recognised the Fill2Weight technology as a great example of innovation, where several different technologies have been combined into one highly effective and versatile solution.
TOMCAT SNI LTD – Innovation
Gloucester based Tomcat designs and manufactures custom-built disability trikes and equipment for children and adults with special needs.
VISION ENGINEERING – Innovation
Vision Engineering, a 61 year old British leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality visual inspection and measurement technologies, has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2020 in the Innovation category, for its high tech ergonomic optical inspection microscope Lynx EVO.
XTRAC – Innovation
Vehicle transmission specialist Xtrac, whose energy-efficient gearbox designs are helping to influence radically different technology for future road cars, has won the award in the category for Innovation for its development of an Integrated Lightweight Electric Vehicle (ILEV) gearbox range spearheaded by Xtrac CEO Adrian Moore.