A trailer company, a drug screening specialist and a company whose product helped David Attenborough film the Blue Planet are among 13 East Midlands recipients of the 2023 King’s Awards for Enterprise.
The regional list, which includes businesses based in Derbyshire, Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, features four award winners for innovation, seven for international trade and two for sustainable development.
Fewer than 200 awards are given out annually to recognise outstanding achievement and these are the first to be presented bearing the King's name following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September. His Majesty's Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the awards to businesses locally throughout the year.
The winners include Derby drug screening specialist SureScreen, which was behind an accurate and sensitive Covid test used by the UK government during the pandemic.
SureScreen director David Campbell said: “We are incredibly proud to have been announced as double King’s Awards winners in recognition of what was a huge company-wide effort to develop and manufacture lateral flow tests that helped save lives both in the UK and in countries around the world at the height of the COVID pandemic.
“It is a wonderful testament to the hard work across the whole team, but what makes this fitting is that our company has been built on scientific innovation and has always exported a significant volume of our products, so these awards reflect the ethos of SureScreen Diagnostics from the very beginning.”
The East Midlands recipients of a King's Award for Enterprise 2023:
Innovation –
Archaeological Research Services, Bakewell, Derbyshire
Founded in 2004, Archaeological Research Services employs 72 people and supplies services to the archaeological and heritage sectors – including a non-intrusive method of detecting archaeological remains before development.
The company was able to develop the innovation without external investment, instead using company profits to fund R&D.
MasterMover, Ashbourne, Derbyshire
This manufacturer of material handling equipment employs 82 people and is based close to the beautiful Dovedale valley. It has been recognised for developing a heavy duty electric tug – called the MultiLink PS3000+ – which can be remotely controlled to move awkward and heavy loads around manufacturing sites.
MasterMover previously received a Queen's Award for International Trade in 2021.
SureScreen Diagnostics, Derby
SureScreen is a drug screening specialist which benefitted greatly from government Covid testing contracts during the pandemic.
The business was one of many around the UK to strike big state sector deals as Downing Street pumped billions into trying to get to grips with the virus. SureScreen also sold lateral flow tests to more than 60 countries worldwide, while closer to home its tests were rolled out to universities across England.
It was launched in 1996 and employs 162 people. During the pandemic, it developed a new kind of protein test to enable the production of highly accurate and reliable home tests that work even when the virus mutates. Work on the test required a high level of innovation, and it was so accurate and sensitive it became the only lateral flow test bought by the British Government for use in the NHS. It is a double awardee, receiving The King's Award for Innovation and International Trade after achieving 355.7 per cent growth in overseas sales over three years.
The Alternative Pallet Company Ltd trading as PALLITE Group, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
This mid-sized company, with 47 staff, has developed a paper-based storage and racking warehousing system named PIX. It is flexible, can be reconfigured and assembled quickly, and stores flat when unused. The system makes a solid and durable storage unit which can carry up to 500kg and has protected edges for safety. It uses 80 per cent recycled materials and is itself 100 per cent recyclable. It has been very successful with warehouse operators as it helps them optimise efficiency to meet the changing demands of their businesses. Sales have grown strongly since its launch, both in the UK and internationally.
International Trade –
Blanson, Leicester
Blanson, which started trading in 1964 and has 55 staff, produces cast acrylic pressure vessels – from tubes for the pharmaceutical industry to domes for mini submarines used in the BBC’s Blue Planet, and hyperbaric chamber cylinders. Its main export markets include China, Europe, USA, and India, with all manufacturing and selling activity conducted in the UK. Its international trade strategy at global trade fairs has helped overseas sales grow by 108 per cent over the three-year application period for the awards. The proportion of sales exported has increased to 93 per cent of total sales.
Managing director Andy Turner said: “For nearly 60 years we have been dedicated to leading the way in developing acrylic products that meet unique challenges in terms of pressure, visual clarity and biocompatibility.
“This award shows that we are at the top of our field and is a testament to the excellent reputation that British manufacturing holds on the global stage.”
Brian James Trailers, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Brian James makes trailers for use in anything from forestry work, vehicle movement, building and construction, landscaping, motorsport and agriculture. Since its 1979 launch it has grown to employ 275 people. The company is well known in markets around the globe as a premium brand of car transporter and commercial trailers, with its major markets in Germany, Australia, Netherlands, Norway and New Zealand.
It is a previous recipient of The Queen's Award for International Trade in 2018.
Fulkrum Technical Resources, Corby, Northamptonshire
Fulkrum Technical Resources supplies staffing and services to support complex projects within the energy, engineering, and construction industries. Its predominant focus is on welding, coating, engineering, electrical, mechanical, and non-destructive testing inspection disciplines. However, its services include vendor audits and client representation, third party Inspection and expediting, site inspection teams and manpower supply at volume.
Its principal international markets are the Americas, Saudi Arabia, Kuala Lumper, Abu Dhabi and Mozambique, and the company has 12 offices overseas.
SureScreen Diagnostics, Derby
SureScreen is a drug screening specialist which benefitted greatly from the pandemic, helped by government Covid testing contracts.
The business was one of many around the UK to strike big deals with the Government. SureScreen also sold lateral flow tests to more than 60 countries worldwide, while closer to home its tests were rolled out to universities across England.
Upperton Limited, Nottingham Science Park, Nottingham
Upperton has more than 20 years’ experience delivering science-led early drug development solutions to pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients worldwide.
The company – which employs around 50 staff – uses its expertise to develop a wide-range of non-sterile, finished dosage formats for its clients.
The company continues its rapid growth trajectory and towards the end of 2023 it will be opening a new, 50,000 sq ft development and commercial manufacturing site at Trent Gateway, in Nottingham.
It has achieved steep growth in overseas sales year-on-year over the last three years totalling 230.8 per cent and overseas sales now account for more than 50 per cent of total business.
It works in 14 overseas markets worldwide and has more recently seen strong growth in Asia and Australia. The company receives The King’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding short term growth.
Valour Consultancy, Grantham, Lincolnshire
Formed in 2012, the small team at Valour previously received The Queen's Award for International Trade in 2020.
It provides market intelligence and consultancy services to firms in the global transport market – ranging from business and commercial aviation to airports, buses, cars, coaches, emergency response & military vehicles, and rail, and the maritime sector.
Its work includes off-the-shelf market research reports, white papers, surveys, databases, public speaking, panel discussions, webinars and fully-customised research and consulting services.
It has achieved year on year growth in overseas sales over the three years covered by the awards totalling 229.5 per cent. Overseas sales now account for 95 per cent of total business. The company operates in countries across Europe, North America, Middle East, Asia/Pacific and Central/South America.
Viridian International, Daventry, Northamptonshire
Founded in December 1999, the family-run company specialises in the manufacture and sale of “effective, ethical and pure” health supplements. The multi-award-winning range spans 220-plus nutritional oils and supplements, tinctures and topicals, all developed by nutritionists using clinical research.
Viridian is dedicated to 100 per cent active ingredients, with no animal testing, no GMO, no fillers, no added sugars, colourings, or artificial flavourings. The ingredients in the formulations are carefully sourced to ensure sustainability and minimal impact on the planet.
Over the period 2015-2021, overseas sales grew by 390 per cent with the proportion exported rising to 31 per cent. Its markets range from Iceland to South Africa, to Continental Europe.
Sustainable Development –
Anpario plc, Worksop, Nottinghamshire
Anpario works with nature to champion production of safe, sustainable and healthy animal food. The company was founded in 1997 and has 82 employees. It is an innovation-driven animal health company which aims to be responsible by producing 100 per cent natural animal feed additives which are pro-environment and extensively used in organic farming.
From its UK manufacturing plant, it exports to 80 countries including some of the least developed regions of Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Investment in sustainable technologies and ways of working has led to 95 per cent of its waste being recycled and solar panels providing more than 50 per cent its electricity. Overall, the company shows how sustainable development can help a business succeed.
Trade & DIY Products trading as TDP, Wirksworth, Derbyshire
Trade & DIY Products – trading as TDP – is a family-run firm launched in 1991. It employs 16 staff and designs and manufactures garden furniture from recycled plastic waste that might otherwise have been landfilled.
It creates profiles (resembling planks) made from recycled plastics to make products including seats and benches, and furniture for children and schools.
TDP’s website provides customers with the environmental credentials for each individual product, including the quantity of plastic recycled as well as emission savings.
It receives The King's Award for a comprehensive and well-executed plan of sustainable initiatives with positive impacts, and for demonstrating inspirational leadership spreading the word about sustainability amongst its peers and through the local business community.
