Queen’s Awards success for North West companies

COMPANIES from across the North West have today been named as winners of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2010.

The awards – which are regarded as one of the most prestigious accolades within business – have been awarded for international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

In addition, one individual from the region has received The Queen’s Award for ‘enterprise promotion’.

The winners are entitled to use The Queen’s Award emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for up to five years.

Her Majesty the Queen’s award for outstanding achievement in international trade has gone to four North West companies: Oldham-based Applied Language Solutions; Kelbrook-based Euravia Engineering; Kendal-based Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon; and Nantwich-based Prism Ideas.

Applied Language Solutions provides international language services, including translation and interpreting, to the public and private sectors worldwide. 

It has won the award for the first time for more than trebling overseas income to £3.5m over three years. 

Chief executive Gavin Wheeldon, pictured, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have won this award, which brings a huge amount of credibility to our business due to its prestige. 

“This is particularly important to us as we operate in a highly-competitive, global market and an award such as this is recognised as a sign of quality and professionalism by our customer base across the world.

“Understanding local cultures can be the biggest barrier to international growth for businesses and having people on the ground in offices that we have set up in various locations around the world has definitely helped us to engage better with our customers. 

“There is so much support out there for business looking to expand overseas, particularly using an online presence, and things like language and cultural differences don’t need to be seen as a blocker to growth. 

“In addition, the more UK companies that export their products and services, the better chance we have to tackle the existing trade deficit.

“We plan to open more offices in the coming year and having this fantastic award will no doubt help us attract the best people into the business, so that we can continue towards our goal of generating 90% of our revenues outside of the UK and opening additional offices around the world.”

Lancshire-based Euravia Engineering specialises in the repair, overhaul and testing of aero-engines and gas turbines.

The company started trading in Kelbrook in 1988 and has won the award for more than doubling its overseas revenue in three years which now accounts for more than 60% of its sales.

Kendal-based Gilbert Gilkes and Gordon design, manufacture, install and commission hydro electric turbines and design and manufacture engine cooling pumps for high horsepower engines, it also does a considerable amount of refurbishment work.

The company has won the award for its outstanding achievement in nearly doubling its overseas sales to over £14m per annum in three years and exporting more than 60% of its production.

Nantwich-based Prism Ideas provides drug development consultancy and communications services to the pharmaceutical industry.

It has won the award for the first time for growing exports by 169% to £2.4m over 3 years. Exports now accounts for over 80% of its sales.

An award for outstanding achievement in innovation has gone to: Rochdale-based Dunphy Combustion.

Dunphy Combustion has been given the award for the continuous development of a range of industrial burners with low contamination which are now helping the company’s export drive.

An award for outstanding achievements in sustainable development has gone to Preston-based Recycling Lives.

Commercial recycler and social welfare charity Recycling Lives has been presented with the award in recognition of its contribution to social, environmental and commercial sustainability. 
 
An award for achievement in ‘enterprise promotion’ has been given to Paul Davidson, chief executive of Bolton Business Ventures.

Mr Davidson has been promoting enterprise for about 30 years, beginning with the Small Firms Service and then leading Bolton Business Ventures, one of the first not-for-profit Enterprise Agencies, which was established in 1983.  

It has been one of the most successful enterprise agencies and is a recognised Centre of Excellence for Women’s Enterprise

On a voluntary basis, Mr Davidson has given time to the Institute of Business Counsellors, North West Leadership Forum, Bolton Institute of Higher Education and the National Federation of Enterprise Agencies.