Best of Scottish business receive Queen's Award for Enterprise
Royal seal of approval for Scottish businesses as Queen's Award for Enterprise winners are announced.
Scottish businesses are among more than 100 UK businesses to have won Queen’s Awards for their international trade alongside companies winning for sustainable development and innovation. The businesses are recognised as part of this year’s prestigious awards that reward growth and enterprise.
Successful Scottish businesses range from island textile firm Bute Fabrics who have designed fabric for the seats in London’s Royal Festival Hall to Glasgow’s Axis Production who have created animation for some of the world’s leading video games.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said:
The Queen’s Awards are a standard of excellence. I am pleased that these Scottish companies have been recognised for their outstanding efforts at home and across the globe.
From textiles and oil and gas through to seafood and the video games industry, Scottish companies who have received Queens Awards today reflect the skills and talent across Scottish business and the great diversity within the Scottish economy.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Vince Cable said:
Companies that are growing, innovating and championing UK business overseas deserve the recognition that these awards bestow.
With more than 100 international trade winners this year, it is clear that Britain is emerging as a leader in selling its quality services and products throughout the world.
Bute Fabrics Managing Director James MacAdam Sprint said:
We’re delighted and honoured to have been recognised for the growth in our export sales over the last three years.
Our focus in developing the strategic markets of the USA, Scandinavia and the Benelux countries has resulted in securing the future for all of the mill’s staff.
The Queen’s Awards is a programme for British businesses and other organizations who excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development. It is the highest official UK awards for British businesses.
Winners of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a Royal representative and presented with a crystal bowl to mark their achievement. They also attend a celebratory reception at Buckingham Palace. They can use The Queen’s Award Emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years, as a symbol of their quality and success.
The full list of Scottish winners is:
- Axis Productions Ltd – Glasgow
- Bute Fabrics Limited - Isle of Bute
- Edinburgh Arts & Entertainment Ltd – Loanhead, Midlothian
- Johnson & Johnson Professional Export – Livingston
- Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd – Argyll & Bute
- Merlin ERD Ltd – Perth
- Online Electronics Limited – Bucksburn, Aberdeenshire
- Paragon Inks (Holdings) Ltd – Livingston
- Peak Scientific Instruments Ltd – Inchinnan, Renfrewshire
- Tissue Solutions Ltd – Glasgow
In a survey of Queen’s Awards winners:
- 76% reported the win had brought added commercial value to their business
- 79% of winners reported improved staff morale
- 63% of winners gained extra press coverage
- 55% reported the win had delivered new business opportunities
- 69% of winners achieved increased recognition in the UK
- 49% of winners achieved increased recognition overseas
Enterprising example - Vegware
Vegware develops, manufactures and distributes a full range of eco catering disposables, made entirely from low-carbon, renewable or recycled materials. Their range of eco packaging is certified compostable – so unlike most foodservice packaging, Vegware can be simply recycled with food waste after use. Vegware’s non-profit initiative The Food Waste Network is a free service matchmaking any UK business with local food waste collections and promoting zero waste.
Run from their Edinburgh HQ, Vegware is now a global brand with operations in the UK, US, South Africa, Australasia and now UAE, with a Europe-wide network of distribution partners from Iceland to Portugal. UK clients range from the biggest contract caterers and food distributors through to government offices, NHS units and independent artisan cafes and delis.
Vegware are taking green mainstream, helping the UK’s biggest operators meet sustainability targets and save money. As a result, they have enjoyed a 901% turnover growth in five years, with sales on target for another 60% growth in 2014 and their UK team has expanded from 2 in 2009, to the current 42.
Joe Frankel, founder and MD of Vegware said:
Winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2013 was the most prestigious accolade we have won so far, and has been a great boost in helping raise our profile. Vegware is making a positive contribution to the economy, whilst boosting global sustainability with our zero waste catering disposables and we were truly delighted to have our achievements honoured by the Queen.