RECIPIENTS OF THE FIRST KING’S AWARDS FOR EXPORTING ENTERPRISE ANNOUNCED

contributed significantly to our success.”

Another exporting winner was Coventrybased metal machinery business AMOB Machinery. The company designs and manufactures products for industries including automobile, shipping, chemical, construction and power.

Outstanding small businesses receive inaugural government awards for export success

Businesses across the region have been recognised for their exporting success in the first King’s Awards for Enterprise.

The Awards programme, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, saw 148 businesses from across the UK recognised for their efforts in one of four categories: International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).

In the international trade, the Award’s largest category, success was achieved by Gloucester-based AIS, which manufactures insulation and passive fire protection systems, buoyancy, and SURF (subsea, umbilicals, risers and flowlines) products.

Its focus on exporting has seen revenues in China rise from zero in 2019 to around £8.5 million in 2021, while in Brazil it rose from £0.5 million to £3.2 million over the same period. Overseas sales increased by more than 70 per cent over three years despite the pandemic’s travel restrictions.

Managing Director, Andrew Bennion said: “To receive the King’s Award for International Trade is a great honour.

“It is a testament to the strength of our export strategy that saw us emerge stronger from the challenges of the pandemic. We also understand the importance of investing in our products and people and I believe this focus has

Tyler Murray, Marketing Manager at AMOB UK, said: “We have been fortunate enough to install metal forming technology into territories as far away as Australia and New Zealand in the past three years, an accomplishment only amplified considering the challenges faced by Covid 19.”

Stratford-Upon-Avon’s Green Sheep Group has been designing and manufacturing nursery baby products since 2006, operating two brands: The Little Green Sheep and Snüz. Roger Allen, Chief Executive said: “We have grown from selling to retailers in six countries, to selling wholesale to retailers in 30 countries. Adding in direct consumer customers, we now export to 45 countries around the world.”

Another winner was Coventry-based Sonihull, which is deploying ultrasound to clean up the oceans. The firm uses ultrasonic soundwaves to prevent marine algae, weeds and molluscs colonising ocean-going vessels and structures like ships and wind farms.

This removes the need for toxic biocidal coatings which often contain chemicals and microplastics. Sonihull’s technology has been used on vessels in more than 70 countries around the world.

And British made dog food is also whetting canine palates across the world. Little BigPaw from Worcestershire’s First Class Pet Company sells natural foods and treats produced in the UK. It previously picked up a Queen’s Award in 2018. The company now sells in more than 45 countries.

The first recipients of the government’s Made in the UK, Sold to the World awards celebrating the exporting success of small businesses across the UK were announced in May.

Winners from across the region include Scanning Pens, based in Wiltshire, which promotes and distributes innovative, assistive reading technology. Its pens are being sold in more than 100 countries, including Australia, Canada, United States, Asia and Europe.

Within each category three additional businesses were also awarded highly commended status for their inspiring business stories and exporting prowess.

This year’s Highly Commended businesses included music instrument manufacturer Warwick Music Group, EBS Ltd, also of Warwick, which provides exporting consultancy and advice and Prima Dental of Gloucester, the largest manufacturer of dental burs in the world,

Business and Trade Secretary

Kemi Badenoch said: “We’re proud of our British exporters and these awards rightly highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UKmade products around the world. I hope they serve as inspiration to others looking to get on the exporting ladder.”