Flying the flag for UK enterprises
European SprayDry Technologies scoops Queen's Award for outstanding export growth
The Queen’s Awards scheme is seen as the most prestigious business awards in the country and 2015 marks its 50th anniversary.
April 21, the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen
The entry process is competitive, with a success rate of around 20% each year. The winners are announced annually on April 21, the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen.
The business award recognises outstanding achievements by UK companies in three categories: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
Gareth Hine, head of global sales, European Spray-Dry Technologies, told FoodProductionDaily it believes its spray drying systems provide significant cost savings compared to other European manufacturers.
“Export sales have grown from around 100k to several million pounds in the last three years. The dramatic increase in export sales reflects our ever expanding market share worldwide,” he said.
“The fact that many of our clients return to us when they have additional requirements for spray drying systems is particularly pleasing and a confirmation of the equipment we produce.
“The Queen’s Award will be an invaluable asset to further promote our business in both the domestic and global markets.”
Kit Free, co-founder, European SprayDry Technologies said the company designs and manufactures industrial spray-drying equipment for industries including dairy, chemical, and food production.
“Over 70% of our orders originate from referrals or industry recommendation,” he said.
“Our rise in export sales reflects the commitment and professionalism of all the members of our team."
He added the firm, based in Essex, and founded in 2007, provides maintenance and on-going support as well as turnkey projects and will be announcing various contracts around the world soon.
“The Queens Award will be an invaluable asset to further promoting our business in both domestic and global markets,” added Free.
“All businesses need assistance to access new markets and we actively use UKTI for support and attend trade missions. It has been invaluable in terms of specific market information."
In a statement The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) said: “The company is clear in its route to strategic growth and note that over 70% of orders are via referrals or word of mouth.
“Its marketing strategy is therefore not reliant on extensive generic marketing campaigns and whilst the company has advertised in trade magazines and attended trade exhibitions, it has not needed to for over five years.
“The remaining 30% of business is generated through its website, which is continually updated and gives potential clients a clear understanding of the business.”
The Wine and Spirit Education Trust
Approximately 160 Queen's Awards have been announced this year for outstanding business achievement.
BIS said there were 141 winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and six individual recipients of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion.
This year, 105 businesses received awards for international trade; 24 for innovation and 12 for sustainable development.
Two small companies, Wavestore and Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging, achieved double recognition, receiving awards for both innovation and international trade.
Other winners include Tamper Technologies, which supplies tamper-evident security labels and tapes; and Contra Vision, which makes see-through graphic products deployed as advertisement displays on glass surfaces in the Innovation category.
HiBreeds International, an exporter of hatching eggs for the poultry industry gained an International Trade award and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, which provides qualifications in the drinks industry and MooD International, a software specialist in business performance management were honoured for their services.
The winners will attend a reception at Buckingham Palace. They can use The Queen's Award Emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years as a symbol of their quality and success.
