10 Scottish businesses are among the 148 organisations recognised with the first ever King's Awards for Enterprise.
The list includes Aberdeen-based oil and gas support services firm DeltaTek Global; Brechin-based recruitment support business Join Talent Solutions; Bishopton-based social enterprise Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company; the Invergowrie-based James Hutton Institute; Edinburgh-based lighting brand Coolicon; Aberdeen-based lifting equipment firm Load Monitoring Systems (LMS); and Edinburgh-based thermal storage solutions company Sunamp.
Sunamp has been recognised for excellence in innovation.
Employing 80 people, the business was set up in 2005 to design and manufacture compact heat batteries based on its patented Plentigrade thermal storage technology platform. Sunamp’s Thermino range can store energy from renewable sources to deliver hot water in thermal batteries that are up to four times smaller than equivalent hot water cylinders.
Chief executive Andrew Bissell said: “This award marks a milestone in Sunamp’s journey so far, from developing our phase change materials, to becoming world leaders in thermal storage technologies.
“We achieved the breakthrough in the early 2010s and since 2018 we have brought this to market via four generations of heat battery products - so far we have delivered over 25,000 units.
“I am proud of everything we have achieved, and receiving a King’s Award recognises everyone involved.”
Coolicon Lighting now has established wholesale and distributor networks in nine geographical territories across Europe, Asia and the US - bagging it an award for international trade to recognise 'exceptional short-term growth in overseas sales over the last three years'.
Growing from two to six staff members over the three-year period, Coolicon’s focus on export and diversification of market share has maintained stability through uncertain times.
The company recognised Scottish Development International, Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway, DBT and its specialist advisors for their continued support of small businesses.
Trent Jennings, design director at Coolicon, commented: “We are extremely grateful to have received a King’s Award for Enterprise and are overjoyed as a small business, and team, to have been recognised for our achievements.
“To see the appreciation for our craftsmen’s traditional skills and expertise grow out with Britain over the past few years has been phenomenal - what a fantastic way to celebrate 90 years of the Coolicon brand.”
Well construction firm DeltaTek Global, which was recently acquired by energy services provider Expro, received the Innovation award.
Founder Tristam Horn said: “We are honoured to receive the first ever King’s Award and are delighted that the impact our technology has had on the subsea sector has been celebrated with such a prestigious award. Introducing disruptive technology to a firmly established market came with considerable challenges, so I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a team.”
LMS, meanwhile, was recognised for excellence in international trade.
The company specialises in the design, manufacturing, sales, rental and calibration of intelligent lifting equipment and load monitoring products and services, including load cells, line tension units, winch monitoring, air moving systems, digital pad eye testers and crane safety instrumentation.
Overseas trading currently accounts for more than half the company’s revenue, with the business providing global support to over 45 countries and in most continents.
Kirk Anderson, LMS' managing director, said: “This is a great honour and achievement for LMS and everyone who has played a part in our journey so far.
“The recognition reflects the hard work and dedication shown by our team, with the business going from strength to strength and expanding into new and exciting markets worldwide. Building strong relationships with our customers and collaborating with suppliers and industry professionals has always been at the heart of the company ethos.”
Finally, Joint Talent was also given the award for international trade for 2023.
The recruitment solutions business has achieved 2,701% year-on-year growth in overseas sales over the last three years, with co-founder and chief executive Katrina Hutchinson O’Neill stating: “We’re delighted to win this prestigious award, particularly because of the growth we’ve seen over the past few years and our international expansion.”
The King’s Awards were previously known as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, with the new name reflecting his desire to continue the legacy of his mother by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The programme, now in its 57th year, lets successful businesses use the King’s Awards emblem for the next five years.
Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said: “I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.
“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”
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