This year's winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise have been announced, with 16 companies from all across the North West among those to triumph.
They are given to companies from across the country who excel at international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Leading the field is Burnley-based Process Instruments which is one of only a handful of companies nationwide to have bagged two of the prestigious awards.
Below, BusinessLive has profiled this year's winners who join a select group of firms to have been recognised with a Queen's Awards since they were launched in 1966.
Illingworth Research Group
Category: International Trade
Location: Macclesfield
Illingworth Research Group Ltd was founded in 1998 and has developed a "unique" collection of services to assist international pharmaceutical companies to better deliver research projects involving clinical trials.
These organisations conduct trials internationally so need companies who can deliver support wherever and whenever required all over the world.
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The firm said it has proven its capabilities in this area and continues to develop its offer both technically and on the ground by opening new offices overseas. It has grown its export sales to 80% of total turnover and wins the Queen's Award for International Trade for "outstanding short term growth" in overseas sales over the last three years.
Hartley Botanic Ltd
Category: International Trade
Location: Oldham, Greater Manchester
Heritage glasshouse and greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic has been recognised in the awards for its work growing sales of its handmade structures abroad.
While it is based in Oldham, the firm has operated from the same factory in Greenfield, near Oldham, since 1938.
The business has been selling its Glasshouses and Greenhouses internationally for over 20 years and has had a "strong following" for a number of years in the US, Germany and Scandinavia, but in the last three years, its global trade has "built significantly".
Since 2017, international sales have grown 144%.
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Martin Toogood, chairman of the firm, said: “"We couldn’t be more proud of the fact that our Glasshouses and Greenhouses are now being enjoyed by gardeners worldwide, and are thrilled to receive such a prestigious business accolade.
"For many, Glasshouses are intrinsically linked to a romantic, comforting notion of Englishness and our 83 year old business, with its incomparable range and commitment to traditional craftsmanship, is perfectly placed to deliver this.”
Crystal Doors
Category: Sustainable Development
Location: Rochdale
Crystal Doors manufactures vinyl-wrapped doors and components for kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, employing 34 local people.
The company has been recognised with the prestigious national award after "pioneering an innovative approach" to achieving net zero manufacturing.
A radical sustainability programme – featuring smart autonomous machinery and energy efficient technologies has reduced Crystal Doors’ direct carbon footprint by nearly 80% in just five years.
Managing Director Richard Hagan, who first recognised the need to act after environmental concerns nearly closed the factory in 2015, said: “The science says we only have a few years of inaction left before achieving our global agreements on greenhouse gas emissions become impossible.
"It is our collective responsibility, as businesses and as a society, to take action. Our story is proof that even small organisations with tight purse strings like ours can turn things around rapidly.”
Emsys Maritime
Category: International Trade
Location: Altrincham
Emsys Maritime Ltd started trading in 2016.
The company, which started trading in 2016, is a maritime technology manufacturer supplying laser based emission monitoring technology for ships, reducing pollution in the air or oceans during shipping operations.
Exporting is "critical" to the company's business and growth, as 90% of customers are located overseas, including in South Korea, USA, Norway and Italy.
Overseas sales have grown by 218% over the application period, and the proportion of sales exported in the final year was 95% of total sales.
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Managing Director Simon Brown said: "I am absolutely thrilled that our company has been recognised with this pinnacle of business awards. Our team are amazing, they have to be as we compete with many of the world’s largest companies in a highly competitive market.
"Like all companies, the past 12 months have been a tough struggle, however the resilience and enthusiasm shown by my incredible colleagues has been duly rewarded by this exceptional acknowledgement of their efforts.
"We will certainly be celebrating this success, when allowed, in our home town of Altrincham."
Process Instruments
Categories: International Trade and Innovation
Location: Burnley
Process Instruments is one of just five 海角视频 firms who have been awarded two Queen's Awards this year - for both International Trade and Innovation.
Established in 1998, it is a supplier, high-tech developer, and manufacturer of water quality controllers.
Its products are a set of electronics which provide controls and connect to sensors and Internet of Things communications to measure and control water quality in all industries.
The company is a world leader in its field and its overseas sales increased over six years by 177%. The company sells in over 60 markets worldwide, has an office in China and subsidiaries in Ireland and France.
Managing director Mike Riding said: “After 32 years, I am absolutely thrilled that Process Instruments has been awarded two Queen’s Awards. What most people don’t realise is that the Queen’s Award is recognized globally and is a more stringent business award than any other, as it evaluates performance over multiple years.
"Being awarded two Queen’s Awards in the same year is particularly thrilling as it is a recognition of how a small technology company in Burnley can compete successfully on a world stage.
"The team of people at Pi are themselves world leaders in their fields and I am extremely grateful to them for enabling my 32 year old dream to come true.”
Sherwin-Williams Protective and Marine Coatings
Category: Innovation
Location: Bolton
Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings is a large company based in Bolton that was established in 1966 - and this is the firm's second Queen's Award in just five years.
The firm won the award for its FIRETEX FX6002 coating that delivers passive fire protection for structural steel.
Since its initial launch in 2018, this ultra-fast drying intumescent coating has transformed steelwork projects with its speed of curing and dry handling times, gaining speedy adoption by architects, engineers and applicators.
Ian Walker, MD for protective and marine at the firm, said: “To win two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise: Innovation in just five years is a fantastic achievement for the Sherwin-Williams team.
"With FIRETEX FX6002 we have created a unique protective coating that is ideal for use in high-value infrastructure and construction projects.
“Key stakeholders can take advantage of a wide range of benefits throughout the project lifecycle, including time and cost savings, enhanced durability, and aesthetically pleasing finishes."
Barrnon
Category: Innovation
Location: Appleby, Cumbria
Barrnon solves problems in harsh environments by making modular robotics, primarily for the nuclear decommissioning industry.
The company has spent four years developing a product which aims to solve one of the world’s biggest environmental problems – how to safely retrieve nuclear waste.
Last summer, the company built an 80ft testing tower to mimic nuclear storage and used HoloLens tech to keep American clients fully up to speed with the project’s progress.
Owner Andy Barr said: "We are incredibly proud of our unique work. It recognises the strengths of our organisation.
"This is a great achievement. Credit to the team and to our clients both here in the 海角视频 and across the Atlantic in America."
CPL 海角视频
Category: International Trade
Location: Manchester
The business started trading in May 2012 as a family company selling primarily branded perfumes.
It sells more than 60,000 products using on-line international e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, as well as through smaller, international online marketplaces.
In the last three years the company has increased its overseas sales by more than 260%.
Director Dan Calllaghan said: "CPL has achieved outstanding growth in international sales of perfume and beauty products over the past three years.
"We are deeply honoured to receive this award from Her Majesty The Queen, which recognises our position at the cutting edge of the online retail industry in the North West."
Anacarda
Category: Innovation
Location: Wigan
Anacarda began trading in 2012 and specialises in the manufacture of polymers derived from cashew nut shell liquid.
Its products are used with epoxy resins in the formulation of coating systems for a variety of global industries including marine, transport, civil engineering, construction and coatings.
Manging director Paul Jones said: "I’m delighted that Anacarda has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise especially in the innovation category.
"The design and development of technically advanced products that are free from volatile organic materials, substances of very high concern, and derived from sustainable feedstock is at the heart of the Anacarda business ethos.
"With greater interest in a circular economy and with due consideration of the UN Sustainability Development Goals, we set up this business purely to develop 'bio based' materials.
"This range of products not only offers performance benefits, but provides safer, cleaner, and more environmentally friendly products.
"Ahead of the forthcoming COP26 UN climate change conference, it is extremely gratifying to receive this honour and this award celebrates the loyalty of our much valued customers who trust in our expertise and commitment to develop innovative products to aid compliance with environmental and regulatory reform."
Chelburn Precision
Category: International Trade
Location: Rochdale
Engineering company Chelburn Precision's overseas sales have increased fivefold in three years – from £360,000 to £1.7m – primarily to the USA and mainland Europe.
It also estimates that 95% of domestic sales are ultimately exported as many of the company’s 海角视频 customers deliver their products overseas. Chelburn’s total turnover is now more than £5m.
Chelburn director Katie Travis ha said the success is due to its investment in the very latest machinery which, combined with a highly skilled workforce, means it has carved out a niche for its specialised production services both in the 海角视频 and overseas.
She added: "Every project we do is unique so it needs great technical and problem-solving skills."
The family company was founded in Rochdale in 1982 by Roger Travis and now run by his son, Neil.
Natures Aid
Category: International Trade
Location: Kirkham, Lancashire
Natures Aid, part of STADA 海角视频, is aiming for 50% of its sales to be from export markets by the end of 2023, after being named as a Queen’s Award winner.
The company, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, has been recognised for the exceptionally rapid growth of its export business, which currently stands at approximately 30% of overall sales.
With approximately 75 new products launched in the last three years, Natures Aid has grown to more than 200 food supplements in natural health, all manufactured in its 43,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Kirkham.
Managing director Chris Morrey said: "In a decade, we have built a distribution network of more than 50 countries from our Kirkham facility and it’s fantastic that this achievement has been recognised with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
"This award will further elevate the strong position we have in our international markets and help us remain on track to achieve 50% of sales from export by 2023 whilst navigating the challenges of the pandemic."
Beauty Works
Category: International Trade
Location: Cheadle
Hair and beauty company Beauty Works employs 60 people and was launched in July 2010 by entrepreneur Penelope Cheshire.
Her company now sells hair extensions to more than 4000 professional salons and consumers in more than 180 countries.
She said: "We are delighted to share such an achievement with the giants of British industry and thrilled to have won this award.
"I started this business in a one-bedroom flat in Liverpool just over ten years ago, spotting a ‘gap in the market’ for high quality hair extensions and products.
"Today, we are global leaders. It’s incredible just how far we have come and is testament to the skills and expertise of Beauty Works’ hard-working employees.
"I would like to thank all staff members; it’s a wonderful accomplishment for all the team."
Reach and Rescue
Category: Innovation
Location: Wigan
Reach and Rescue was established in 2010 and has worked with rescue services to develop lightweight, floating, extendable poles for water rescue operations.
The poles extend up to 20 metres providing safe options for rescuers in many situations.
A company spokesman said: "Reach and Rescue are a leading manufacturer of water rescue equipment, supplying to emergency services and search and rescue teams plus a multitude of global industries including maritime, military and construction.
"We are overjoyed to receive a Queen’s Award for Innovation for our lifesaving long-reach telescopic rescue pole.
"The whole team is immensely proud to receive such a prestigious award, essentially affirming that our innovative product is saving lives."
Aerofoil Energy
Category: Innovation
Location: Bollington, Cheshire
Aerofoil Energy's award is for the company's pioneering use of shelf-edge technology to improve the energy efficiency of display refrigeration.
The company is now expanding internationally to deploy its Aerofoil shelf-edge technology in the world’s largest bricks-and- mortar grocery retailers in Europe, the USA and Asia.
Chief executive Paul McAndrew said: "We are honoured to have been recognised by Her Majesty with this award for our energy-saving technology and commercial success.
"Open-fronted supermarket fridges are a great way to display food and make it easy for customers to choose, but they are very power-hungry.
"Our unique innovation, the Aerofoil, has provided our clients with a straightforward solution that significantly reduces the fridge’s power consumption whilst improving the convenience and comfort of the shopping experience."
Armstrong Integrated
Category: Sustainable Development
Location: Manchester
Armstrong Integrated, which trades as Armstrong Fluid Technology, employs 194 staff in Manchester and was founded in 2003.
It is a subsidiary of SA Armstrong, a Canadian company which operates seven manufacturing facilities worldwide with over 1,000 employees.
It has been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because of its commitment to sustainable development, the breadth of its programme and level of employee engagement.
Executive chairman Charles Armstrong said: "Sustainability is a key driver within our business. We develop innovative energy-saving solutions that help customers to reduce their environmental impact.
"We continue to reduce energy use and GHG emissions in our own facilities, and we run local projects to help the community at large become more sustainable.
"We’re very proud of our progress towards sustainability at the Manchester facility, and we’re honoured to have our work recognised through this award."
Cobra Braiding Machinery
Category: International Trade
Location: Congleton
Established in 1981, Cobra Braiding Machinery has built a strong reputation as a worldwide leading supplier of wire harness braiding machinery.
Employing six people, its core business focus is the wire processing and wire harnessing market sector and its machines braid wire harnesses.
Over three years overseas sales have grown have grown by 53% per annum, from £774,200 to £1.8m.
Exports now make up 95% of all sales with leading markets in USA, Japan, Germany, Australia, and Poland.
The firm's president, Neil Hyde, said: "As the most prestigious award for 海角视频 business, winning the Queen's Award is a real celebration for Cobra.
"The company has gone from strength to strength, and we are extremely proud to represent the best of 海角视频 manufacturing across the world.
"Cobra is a small company and my team and I feel honoured for our success in export markets to be honoured by the awarding of the Queens Award for International Trade. This will reinforce our brand with our overseas customers especially in the USA, Japan and Australia."