The 2022 list of Queen’s Awards winners was published today (21 April) with an increased number of exporting businesses represented in the diverse International Trade category.
A complete list of winners across all categories can be found in the London Gazette.
The Institute of Export & International Trade partners The Queen’s Awards on the International Trade category – the competition’s largest with 141 winners this year.
Greater London leads
Greater London was again home to the largest number of export winners (26), followed by the South East (16), Yorkshire & Humber (15), the West Midlands (14) and the East Midlands (13).
One successful London exporter, Baby Mori, which manufactures baby clothing, has seen overseas sales grow by more than 2000% over three years.
Other London winners included ethnic food company Wanis and Ware Motorama, which produces lubricants, additives and cleaners for the automotive trade.
South East innovation
Science and technology exporters made a mark in the South East.
CT2 Holdings has seen overseas sales of its thermal containers for the pharma sector increase by 250% in three years.
Clinical trials specialist Medical Research Network has boosted its annual overseas sales by 119% in three years, with UK staff numbers doubling.
Auto Integrate’s fleet management software is also being used by eight out of 10 of the top players in North America, resulting in overseas earnings increasing by a total of 161%.
Yorkshire & Humber powerhouses
Rotherham-based specialist technical materials supplier Corrosion Resistant Materials has increased its exports by 1097% in three years, with sales to 31 countries.
Metals procurement and processing business ICD Europe directly supplies to a wide variety of industrial sectors including the aerospace, medical, oil & gas, automotive, electronics and industrial gas turbine industries. Export sales have grown by 227% and now make up 43% of all sales.
Innovative exporters
Technology and science companies were the most highly represented in the International Trade awards with 40 winners – almost 30% of the total.
With the government highlighting the export opportunities for areas such as green technology and digital trade, creating a robust platform for innovative companies to overseas has become a trade policy priority.
Bluewater Bio increased its overseas sales of environmentally friendly technologies to transform polluted water by 448% in recent years. Recycling company Donald Ware, which processes around a million tonnes of materials annually, is also planning further substantial growth.
Services
Service providers were again well-represented in this year’s list, comprising 27 of the winners, including 10to8, which provides appointment management, online booking and automated communications system to customers across 40 languages.
Other notable service winners include architects John McAslan + Partners, and Cheshire-based ApconiX is a consultancy group that advises clients on drug safety and that receives 73% of its sales from overseas.
Manufacturers
Manufacturing businesses also had a good showing, coming third in the table of the most represented sectors.
Xpel Marketing, which manufactures household and personal care products, saw exports grow by 306% over three years to March 2020 . WoodblocX’s modular wooden components for gardens have increased their overseas sales by 433%.
Other well-represented sectors health, food & drink, and engineering.
Winning entries by vertical sector
- Technology/science – 40
- Services – 27
- Manufacturing – 17
- Health – 14
- Food & drink – 13
- Engineering – 14
- Leisure/sport – 6
- Education – 4
- Textiles – 6