West Midlands firms celebrate recognition in Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
A Worcestershire chilled foods logistics business was celebrating today after capturing two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Redditch-based Oakland International is one of the few companies to achieve honours in two categories within the same awards.
It has been recognised in both the International Trade and Sustainable Development categories.
The company is one of 176 businesses honoured in today’s awards, which celebrate the Queen’s 91st birthday.
In the West Midlands, 16 firms are recognised – four for Innovation; eight for International Trade; three for Sustainable Development; and one for Promoting Opportunity. (See full list below)
Oakland International CEO and co-founder, Dean Attwell, said: “I’m absolutely delighted and honoured for Oakland to be a Queen’s Award winner; but to receive two Queen’s Awards is mind-blowing and is a fantastic endorsement for the great team we have operating within our business models here in the UK and abroad.
“I would like to thank our entire team for helping make this possible as winning is positive recognition of all their hard work and dedication. Winning the Queen’s Awards for International Trade and Sustainable Development is the greatest compliment and the ultimate acknowledgement as a UK business we can receive.”
Operating in 11 countries with facilities in the UK, Ireland and a partner in Spain, Oakland International won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth for its support of overseas customers entering the UK market, doubling overseas sales growth and for their strategy and new market research.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses being recognised today. Through our Industrial Strategy we will be building on the successes of these award winning businesses, helping to build a stronger, more outward looking and prosperous global Britain.”
Worcestershire-based Fish4Dogs was recognised in the International Trade category. The Rushock-based business distributes and markets a natural range of fish-based pet foods. It has three manufacturing centres worldwide including operations in Norway.
Overseas sales have grown 267% over the last six years and the proportion of sales exported has increased to 60% of total sales. Internationally Fish4Dogs operates in 31 countries including China, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Spain and Croatia.
CEO Graham Smith said: “This is a fantastic award and testimony to a world class product and the work of our passionate teams in the UK and internationally. It shows that we are punching well above our weight.”
He said the company’s plans now were to establish itself in the Australasia and North American markets.
Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2017
Staffordshire-based housing association Aspire Housing is one of the first recipients of the new Promoting Opportunity award.
Aspire’s track record in addressing social disadvantage and supporting local communities to maximise their potential was cited as the reason for its recognition.
Sinéad Butters, chief executive at Aspire Housing, said: “We are passionate about making a difference in our region, in our neighbourhoods and to people’s lives.
“Everyone should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential irrespective of their background. Our role is to assist them through provision of quality housing, employment and training and support.
“It is an honour to be among the first recipients in the promoting opportunity category and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my colleagues who make such a difference in our communities.”
The award, which is equivalent to an MBE for businesses, will be presented to Ms Butters at a Buckingham Palace reception later this year.
It will be her second visit to the palace, having previously received an MBE from the Queen in 2016.
Birmingham-based Allsee Technologies was recognised in the Innovation category for its Digital Signage products, specifically a special PC board that allows users the flexibility to update their content in two different ways; either using a simple USB plug and play method or remotely using the firm’s own cloud-based content management system, without the addition of any extra hardware.
Managing director and founder, Dr Baoli Zhao, said: “This prestigious award is great recognition for our whole team’s hard work. All of the stressful late nights, blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off. I am so proud of all my wonderful colleagues.
“We would (also) like to thank our research and development partners based in China.”
The West Midlands’ winners are:
Innovation
Allsee Technologies – Birmingham
Coachbuilt GB – Atherstone
The Smart Actuator Company (SACO) – Malvern Wells
Titania – Worcester
International Trade
Fish4Dogs – Rushock
Majestic 12 Ltd (t/a Majestic.com) – Birmingham
Metrasens – Malvern
Oakland International – Redditch
Premier Health Products – Coventry
Thermoseal – Birmingham
Vectric – Alcester
Y International (UK) – Birmingham
Sustainable Development
Carillion – Wolverhampton
Mike de Courcey Travel – Coventry
Oakland International – Redditch
Promoting Opportunity
Aspire Housing – Newcastle-under-Lyme
