Engineers recognised in Queens Awards

Winners include: Alwayse Engineering, which makes ball transfer units in material handling systems; Centek -casing centralisers and stop collars for oil and gas well drilling; Delfield Precision Engineering - casings for CT x-ray scanners and nuclear imaging; Fort Vale Engineering - valves and manways for containers used to transport and store liquids, gas and powders; Fortress Interlocks - safety interlock systems for industrial applications; Garrard Hassan Group - engineering consultancy to the renewable energy industry; JCB Backhoe Loader Business Unit and JCB Service; LC & M - crankshafts for pumps and compressors, oil and gas applications and mechanical presses for can making; Superior Group -precision “O”rings, seals and mouldings for pumps, valves and piping systems; TRP Sealing Systems - elastomeric gaskets for plate type heat exchangers; Weir Minerals Europe - pumps, valves and linings for mining, mineral and power sectors; Land Rover; and Trinity Integrated Systems - software translation tool for safety engineers. Her Majesty the Queen announced 139 business Awards, the second-highest total for 10 years. 85 Awards are for outstanding achievements in International Trade, 42 for Innovation and 12 for Sustainable Development. In addition, 11 outstanding individuals receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion for their inspiring efforts to encourage UK entrepreneurship. Winning companies range in size from three firms with three employees up to one that employs 106,200. 34% of winning firms employ less than 50 people and 33% are from the service sector. Each winning company receives an engraved crystal bowl and is entitled to use the Queen’s Award Emblem on packaging and marketing materials for five years. During the year, winners will benefit from a visit to their premises by a representative of the Queen, and be invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace in the summer. The deadline for applying for the 2009 Queen’s Awards is 31st October 2008. Application and nomination forms are available at www.queensawards.org.uk .