Jaguar Land Rover presented with Queen’s Award for Export

VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has been presented with a top award in recognition of its global export drive.

The company was named one of the winners of this year’s Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade earlier this year.

The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Paul Chandrasekharan Sabapathy visited the group’s headquarters at Whitley to present the award to JLR chief executive Ralf Speth, who was joined for the presentation by Ratan Tata, chairman of parent group Tata, and Tata’s Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry.

JLR said the Queen’s Award was the perfect complement to accompany it being named Responsible Business of the Year 2013. It said it was pleased because it recognised the success of the business on an international level.

The business’ outstanding oversees sales growth is reflected in the rise from the sale of 274,280 vehicles in 2011 to the 425,006 sold in 2013.

Exports account for more than 80% of all vehicles JLR produces at its three UK manufacturing plants. The company’s largest export regions are mainland Europe, North America and China, together accounting for 60% of all export sales.

Over the last three years, JLR has created 11,000 new jobs and it is estimated that these will create an additional 24,000 positions in the supply chain.

Commenting on the award, Dr 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.”