Businesses across Wales have been recognised for their innovation, sustainable development and global export successes in the King’s Awards for Enterprise.
In total eight Welsh firms have received awards trading in a range of sectors including industrial lasers, medical equipment and baking. Powys-based Stashed Products, which designs and manufactures innovative space saving bike storage systems, has received a King’s Awards for Innovation.
For international trade recipients are:
- Cardiff-based Brand Hatchers which has created incubated and helped to scale brand sold in more than 35 countries.
- Blackwood-based Frontier Therapeutics a global leader in pressure ulcer devices which has a sales presence in 34 countries.
- Welshpool-based Invertek Drives which manufactures innovative variable frequency drives to support global industries with efficient motor control solutions.
- Bridgend-based Spectrum Technologies a leading the supply of industrial laser wire-processing equipment to the aerospace industry.
- Wrexham-based the Village Bakery a supplier of premium bakery and morning goods products to retailers and foodservice partners globally.
Sustainable development awards have also gone to Bluestone Resorts for its leading sustainable Bluestone holiday resort in Pembrokeshire and Bridgend-based sustainable office furniture venture BOF Group.
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:“I congratulate all eight Welsh businesses who have won awards. From baking to medical devices to sustainable holidays, their work shows the best of business right across Wales, producing and exporting high quality products and services.”
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said:“There are some excellent Welsh businesses recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from Spectrum Technologies’ pioneering laser equipment to Bluestone Resort’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“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 Wales and abroad, helping to boost the Ƶ economy.”
Dr Peter Dickinson, chairman and chief technology officer at Spectrum Technologies, said: “Spectrum is very excited and proud to be a winner of the King’s Award for Enterprise. The company faced huge challenges with Covid but our team of employees have really pulled together and helped turn a difficult situation around, more than doubling sales over the last few years.
“The King’s Award is a tribute to their combined efforts, as well as a reflection on the company’s global market-leading position supplying specialised laser wire processing equipment to the aerospace industry.”
Shaun Dean, chairman of Invertek Drives, said: "This King’s Award demonstrates how Invertek has successfully expanded its global footprint while maintaining the technical excellence and innovation, driven locally from the Ƶ, that have always been its hallmarks.
“The impressive international growth is a testament to the strategic alignment between Invertek’s capabilities and the increasing global demand for energy-efficient solutions. As part of the Sumitomo Heavy Industries group, Invertek continues to strengthen our collective position in key markets worldwide.”
William McNamara chief executive and founder of Bluestone, said: “Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development is a hugely exciting and rewarding milestone for everyone at Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire.
"Our ethos is centered on the three pillars of sustainable development: actively protecting natural ecosystems, growing the local economy, and supporting local communities. This has become our operational blueprint. The King’s Award for Enterprise in sustainable development gives us many reasons to celebrate, recognising the importance of our work as we continue to protect our planet for future generations.”
As well as its head office in Bridgend, family-owned BOF also has facilities in Merthyr and Birmingham with a workforce of just over 50.
Owner Michael Parris said: “This award is not only a celebration of our past efforts but a catalyst for future progress. It strengthens our resolve to lead by example and continue driving meaningful change within our industry. We are excited for what lies ahead as we work to redefine what’s possible in sustainability.”
The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. The recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector, a representative from the Welsh Government and senior officials in Whitehall.
Richard Harris, head of trade at the Welsh Government and a judge on this year’s panel, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to represent Wales as a judge on the Kings Awards and reviewing and appraising the applications which seem to grow in quality year on year never fails to impress.
“The Kings Award is the gold standard, it means something, for me it’s the benchmark award for quality that can literally open doors and start conversations across the world, enabling companies to access opportunities that ordinarily might not be available and win business.”
