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The West Midlands' strong manufacturing heritage has been celebrated at the King's Award for Enterprise today.

From producers of emergency pumps to rolling mill products, several manufacturing firms have been named among 12 companies from across the region which have won the coveted accolade (see full list below).

Now in its 59th year, The King's Awards recognises business excellence across four different categories - innovation, international trade, promoting opportunity and sustainable development - with recipients permitted to fly the King's Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing material for five years.

Across the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, 197 businesses have received the honour this year. His Majesty's Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the awards to businesses locally throughout the year.

West Midlands Lord-Lieutenant Derrick Anderson said: "The King's Award for Enterprise is recognised worldwide as the ultimate and greatest business accolade.

"Each of the companies is able to demonstrate with this award they represent the very best in business and, while each of their stories and backgrounds are different, they share a common goal of being the very best in their field.

"The award process for the King's Award for Enterprise is rigorous and demanding - with a forensic approach to assessment that probes every aspect of the company and goes well beyond the area for which the business is being recognised.

"In consequence, it is recognised internationally and is able to open doors to many º£½ÇÊÓƵ and worldwide opportunities.

"Each company is inspiring - to their staff, their suppliers and to their customers - and all serve as an endorsement for the hard work, creativity and ingenuity of the West Midlands."

Among the winners is Birmingham-based KPM Marine which has been handed an innovation award for its 'Predator Failsafe' long-life emergency pumps for commercial, rescue and naval vessels.

These are widely used for their reliability and performance.

Ninety-six per cent of KPM Marine's product components are manufactured in the West Midlands with the rest produced at sister company Scotseat KPM Marine in Fenwick.

It said: "KPM Marine and Scotseat KPM Marine are dedicated to º£½ÇÊÓƵ manufacturing and safety at sea and we are delighted to be recognised for a second time with such a prestigious award."

This latest accolade follows a Queen's Award for innovation in 2022 for designing and manufacturing marine safety seats that reduce vibration, helping prevent accelerated dementia.

Another winner is Bowers and Jones in Bilston, recognised for international trade after export growth which has seen 80 per cent of sales come from international markets.

The company specialises in the design, manufacture and refurbishment of roll tooling and rolling mill products and supplies the global steel and copper industry.

Managing director Jane Sommerville said: "This award represents a tremendous achievement for our entire business.

"To receive such prestigious recognition, especially after the challenges we faced since acquiring the business in 2020, is rewarding and a testament to our dedication to excellence in international trade."

Other winners include Wednesbury-based Exol which supplies lubricants to the automotive, agricultural, rail and industrial sectors in more than 40 countries, also earning it an international trade award.

Meanwhile, Made Media is a Birmingham-based agency founded in 2002.

It creates digital products and designs for arts and cultural organisations around the world, with over 80 per cent of its work now originating from outside of the º£½ÇÊÓƵ.

It has also won a King's Award for international trade.

Further afield in the West Midlands, Grainger & Worrall specialises in complex aluminium sand castings and has been recognised after pioneering a new breakthrough in developing lightweight structures for electric vehicles.

It has developed 'gigacastings' which aim to reduce vehicle weight but also enhance structural performance and ease of assembly, earning it an innovation award.

It employs 525 people at its plant in Bridgnorth, south Shropshire, and has previously won three Queen's Awards.

Chief executive Duncan Eldridge 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.

"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.

"We are putting Bridgnorth on the global map when it comes to producing components that will help drive sustainable manufacturing for years to come."

The other West Midlands recipients of a King's Award for Enterprise 2025

Innovation

Berrington Pure Spring Water, Marden in Herefordshire

Produces what is claimed to be the world's first spring water served in a refillable bottle made from 100 per cent recycled aluminium, called Re:Water.

TMT First, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Has created an innovative mobile component repair process to reduce costs, improve sustainability and eliminate electronic waste.

International Trade

Level Peaks Associates, Hereford

Supplies innovative defence and security equipment to º£½ÇÊÓƵ and international governments.

Mobell Communications, Hednesford in Staffordshire

Aims to make trips to Japan and the US easier for travellers via a suite of mobile communication products.

RunFlat International, Cradley Heath

Supplies run flat inserts for tyres, military wheels and complete wheel products.

Seada Technology, Bromsgrove

Offers advanced technologies for integrated control room solutions and video wall controllers.

Sustainable Development

Fabweld Steel Products, Telford

Designs and manufactures access covers and other fabricated steel products for the construction industry, including non-structural and structural applications.