Queen's Awards announced

Each year the presentations are made by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister who is assisted by an advisory committee that includes representatives of government, industry and commerce. Leicestershire based Winbro won the award for Enterprise in International Trade. Its technology aids the design and manufacture of cleaner jet engines and power station turbines resulting in less noise and emissions. Robert Folwell, managing director of Winbro said: "Our machining systems produce cooling holes to the exacting specifications demanded by the modern designs of cleaner, greener aero engines and power station turbines." The company's machining systems primarily serve the most technically demanding part of a turbine engine, the high pressure turbine, as well as combustor components. Cooling hole design and the technology to produce the cooling features are at the forefront of ongoing efforts to improve fuel efficiencies for both aerospace and industrial gas turbines (IGTs). Other winners were Astech Projects, based in Runcorn. Its Award for Innovation was in recognition of the Xelair System. The technology is designed to provide automated testing of batch production respiratory drug delivery devices. Relative to manual methods, the systems increases throughput, improves safety, reduces solvent usage and increases the quality and volume of test data. Cambridge Consultants also received an award in the International Trade category, in recognition of the strong growth of its export business. Its 300 engineers, scientists and designers create innovative technology-based solutions in medical technology, consumer, transport, wireless and clean technology industries. In 2008, exports accounted for more than 70% of the company's business, an achievement based on its reputation for helping clients gain a competitive edge and get to market quickly. Innomech secured an award in the international trade category. Over 75% of the company's total sales in 2008 were overseas, an increase of 69% in 2006. The company specialises in the development of advanced automation systems for the pharmaceutical, medical device and environmental sectors. It specialises in automating highly complex and labour-intensive manufacturing, inspection and testing processes in production plants to improve quality, increase throughput and reduce costs.