West Midlands businesses honoured in King’s Awards
The West Midlands has seen 12 of its businesses recognised in the King’s Awards for Enterprise, out of a total of 197 recipients nationwide.
The Awards are designed to recognise and encourage outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through social mobility.
Now in its 59th year, it is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said: “There are some fantastic West Midlands businesses recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from Level Peaks’ innovative security and defence equipment to TMT First’s contributions to the circular economy.
“I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the West Midlands and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.”
Here’s what the West Midlands winners told TheBusinessDesk.com:
Innovation
Berrington Pure Spring Water
Launched in 2021, Re:Water has sold over 10 million bottles in the UK and has removed more than 235,000kg of single-use plastic from the supply chain.
Owned by Berrington Pure Spring Water in Herefordshire, Re:Water was set to launch in 2020. However, when Covid hit, the hospitality sector was impacted, and the business lost its customer base. Instead of pausing, the team used the downtime to refine and perfect the product, setting the stage for a launch in early 2021.
The result is a premium reusable bottle made entirely from 100% recycled aluminium and infinitely recyclable – cap included. The goal was to create a truly sustainable product for drinking water on the go without resorting to the kind of greenwashing that’s all too common in the market today.
Matt Crocker, founder of Re:Water said: “Since launching four years ago, we have sold over 10 million bottles. We now have products in M&S, Co-op, Pret A Manger, Cafe Nero, Itsu, National Trust, London Zoo, Four Seasons hotels, and many more.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do — not just in our products, but in how we think, how we work, and how we challenge convention to create real impact and become market leaders. To win a King’s Award for Innovation is an extraordinary honour and a testament to the hard work and creativity of our entire team.”
Grainger and Worrall
Grainger & Worrall employs 525 people at its state-of-the-art facility in Bridgnorth, developing complex aluminium sand castings and lightweight structures for electric vehicles.
Significant investment in R&D has seen it develop ‘gigacastings’, which not only reduce vehicle weight but also enhance structural performance and ease of assembly.
Grainger & Worrall has developed methods to produce prototype gigacastings rapidly and consistently so that they perform like ‘die-castings’ made for high volume cars and off-highway production.
This latest ‘win’ follows three previous Queen’s Award successes.
Duncan Eldridge, CEO of Grainger & Worrall said: “There is no bigger business accolade than the King’s Award for Enterprise, so we are thrilled and honoured to claim our fourth award, an achievement that puts us in an elite group of companies that have won so many.
“This achievement reflects the dedication, creativity and expertise of our talented team, who relentlessly strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in aluminium casting technology.
“Our development of prototype gigacastings is a perfect example of this and is not just a response to industry needs, but also represents our commitment to sustainability. Innovation is the cornerstone of our success and will help drive our growth both in the UK and in the dozens of international markets we serve.”
KPM Marine
Julian Morgan and Jonathan Young
KPM Marine, a leader in marine safety solutions, was honoured with a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2022 for designing and manufacturing marine safety seats that reduce vibration, helping prevent accelerated CTE dementia.
Now, it has received a second King’s Award for its Predator safety pump range, widely used in naval, rescue and commercial sectors for its exceptional reliability and performance. 96% of KPM’s product components are manufactured in the West Midlands, with additional production by sister company Scotseat KPM Marine in Fenwick, Scotland.
Joint managing directors Julian Morgan and Jonathan Young said: “KPM Marine and Scotseat KPM Marine are dedicated to UK manufacturing and safety at sea and we are delighted to be recognised for a second time with such a prestigious award.”
TMT First
Newcastle-under-Lyme-based TMT First is an approved Samsung Partner and Apple Independent Repair Provider, repair, refurbish, and recycle devices to build a more sustainable future for technology.
TMT First has been recognised for its excellence in Innovation for its Mobile Component Repair Service (MCR).
The MCR process revolutionises how mobile devices are repaired. Unlike traditional repairs that often involve replacing entire assemblies, such as the screen, frame, or battery, the MCR technique allows TMT’s technicians to isolate and replace only the damaged components. This not only reduces costs for consumers by up to 30%, but also drastically cuts down on electronic waste and is far better for the environment from a sustainability perspective.
Adam Whitehouse
Founded in 2006, the company employs 160 people and now processes around 250,000 products, including phones, wearables, tablets, accessories and laptops every year.
Adam Whitehouse, founder and Chair of TMT First said: “To receive a King’s Award for Innovation is one of the proudest moments of my career. To be recognised for the hard work we have done around innovation is truly humbling. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at TMT First, and this award reinforces our mission to continue to deliver smarter, more sustainable technology solutions for our partners, customers and the circular economy.
“Our Mobile Component Repair process is a game-changer — reducing repair costs cutting CO2 annually, and extending the life of devices. It’s a smarter, greener way to repair tech, so to see what we’ve achieved recognised at the highest level with this award is amazing and something I’ll never forget.”
International Trade
Credit: Bowers & Jones
Bowers & Jones
Bowers & Jones has more than six decades of experience manufacturing equipment for the metal forming and tubes industry.
Established in 1955 and acquired by Jane Sommerville and Nicola Owen in 2020, Bowers & Jones has experienced four consecutive years of turnover growth. The company serves more than 300 customers across the UK, North America, Europe and beyond, and is a leader in the design, manufacture and refurbishment of roll tooling and rolling mill products.
The business specialises in manufacturing tools used to roll long products such as welded and seamless tube and pipe, steel sections and complex copper extrusions. Its products are increasingly used in non-steel applications ,including electrical conduction and heating cable.
With significant growth set to continue through newly secured contracts in the USA, Bowers & Jones continues to strengthen its position as a leading manufacturer in the international metal forming industry.
Exol Lubricants
Credit: Exol Lubricants
Exol Lubricants is the largest independent lubricants company in the UK, manufacturing and supplying a range of lubricants and associated products to industry, agriculture, transport, automotive and garage sectors.
Manufacturing and supply of products is from our two sites in Birmingham and Rotherham. Research and development is based at the headquarters in the Midlands.
Operating for just over 40 years, Exol is expanding across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The company has formed strategic partnerships in key markets, including Algeria, Bulgaria, China, Thailand, Taiwan, and Myanmar, further strengthening its global presence.
Level Peaks
Sam Swinton
Based in Hereford, Level Peaks is managed by ex-British Military Special Forces Veterans, which supplies innovative defence and security equipment to the UK Government and governments abroad.
It supplies tactical capabilities ranging from polymer rifle magazines and fully scalable integrated combat clothing systems to Unmanned Air Systems and advanced rockets systems.
It also assists with numerous charities, either through direct support (supplying Kington Surgery with PPE during the COVID-19 Pandemic), the provision of world-class kit (Kestrel, Garmin, Warhorse, C2R and more provided to the Royal Marines Precision Rifle Association), or through the support of fund-raising events (LPA again participated in Treasure Quest, raising funds for The Little Princess Trust).
Sam Swinton, business director at Level Peaks said: “Level Peaks are truly privileged to receive this award. It serves as a meaningful recognition of our sustained growth since our incorporation in 2007, and more importantly, it stands as a testament to the commitment, professionalism, and contributions of the individuals within our organisation who have made that progress possible.”
Made Media
Made Media is a specialist digital agency founded in 2002 in Birmingham. The agency designs and builds bespoke digital websites, web apps, and products for organisations around the world, with a speciality in work for arts and cultural organisations that sell tickets.
Projects involve digital transformation, technology integration, digital marketing, user experience design, data strategy, information architecture, and product development for world-leading experience-led brands, with a particular emphasis on projects that require building compelling user experiences for complex business logic and technical integrations.
James Vaggaley, CEO of Made Media said: “From small beginnings in Birmingham over two decades ago to partnering with the world’s leading arts and cultural organisations today, this King’s Award for Enterprise feels like extraordinary validation.
“It honours not just our global expansion, but the brilliant team who’ve made it possible: talented people who create products to enable the business of arts and culture. This recognition energises us to push boundaries further, connecting even more audiences with transformative cultural experiences worldwide.”
Mobell Communications
Mobal has been offering communication solutions to international travellers since 1989.
It makes life easier for travellers to Japan and the USA, and has launched its own payment card to help expats navigate Japan’s tricky financial system.
The company has helped more than 7,000 people find employment through education and enterprise, and provides daily meals to more than 14,500 hungry children in Africa.
Vince Owen, Chairman of Mobell Communications said: “This year marks the most extraordinary chapter in our company’s history. We’ve proudly placed the business into the ownership of the UK charity, Krizevac Project, thereby ensuring that the work Mobell Communications has supported for some of the world’s most disadvantaged communities will not only continue, but flourish.
“It still makes us smile to think that from a refurbished, old coal mine in the heart of the British Midlands, our international team manages to outperform global competition; selling phone and cash card services to Japanese speakers in America and English speakers relocating to Japan!
“We are incredibly honoured that His Majesty the King has chosen to recognise our efforts, and we hope to reflect that honour in our ongoing commitment to innovation and impact in a British company of which we are all very proud!”
RunFlat International
Credit: RunFlat International
RunFlat International was established in 2001 as a subsidiary of its parent company Westley Plastics, using its polymer technology to exclusively develop run-flat tyre insert systems.
It supplies runflat inserts, military wheels and complete wheel solutions for all vehicles working in conflict and/or on treacherous terrain.
Eric Cartelet, managing director of RunFlat International said: “Winning the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade is a testament to the hard work, expertise, and dedication that continues to drive RunFlat International forward.
“This prestigious award reflects the efforts of our entire team, whose commitment to excellence and innovation has enabled us to achieve remarkable growth in international markets.
We are deeply honoured by this accolade and remain steadfast in our mission to deliver exceptional products and services to our global customers. Thank you to everyone who has supported us on this journey.”
SEADA Technology
SEADA Technology is a Birmingham-based, 2019 Queens Award for Enterprise-winning manufacturer of video wall controllers, conference technology and pro AV solutions.
It offers a whole range of video wall controllers for different applications. These include: digital signage, command and control, security, education and many more.
SEADA is also an official supplier for the United Nations.
Sustainable Development
Fabweld Steel Products
Established in 1998, Fabweld Steel Products designs and manufactures standard and bespoke access covers (manhole covers) and other fabricated steel products for the construction, water, energy and security industries.
In recent years, the company has focused primarily on reducing emissions through substantial investment in solar energy and the installation of equipment to generate nitrogen on-site. As the majority of its carbon emissions arise from steel usage, the company has made strategic purchasing choices, selecting suppliers with credible plans to work towards net-zero steel production.
Wayne Carter, managing director of Fabweld said: “It is an absolute privilege to receive the highest honour that can be bestowed on a UK business, and a testament to everyone at Fabweld who has played a part in this success.
“We have made significant progress in reducing consumption through innovative product design, investment in staff training, with wider sustainability outcomes through community engagement and profit sharing within the business.
“Our actions and commitment demonstrate a genuine and focused approach to operating in a way that delivers measurable, positive outcomes for both the business and sustainability and we are incredibly proud that this has been recognised.”
