Electronics sector contributes to record year for Queen’s Awards

Widely regarded as Britain's highest accolade for business success, electronics companies such as Plextek, RF Engines, Mantracourt, ETL Systems, IMS Research, RMS, OC Robotics and Pace have all enjoyed success. Electronics and communications design consultancy, Plextek, won two Queen's Awards for Innovation and International Trade. The Cambridge based company was also recognised for its continued innovation, particularly in the field of wireless technologies. Plextek's co founder and managing director, Colin Smithers said: "Plextek, by its very nature, sells innovation and for the last 20 years has been continually developing the best and most effective new technologies for our diverse clients. This innovative culture and advanced technology has helped fuel impressive international sales growth, particularly in the US, Far East and Middle East. It's a proud feeling knowing that our talented team's hard work has been recognised and rewarded with, not one, but two prestigious Queen's Awards." Electronic signal processing design specialist, RF Engines was also awarded a Queen's Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category, for its range of digital signal processing technologies. John Summers, RF Engine's ceo, said, "It is a very great honour to win this award. The Queen's Awards are internationally recognised markers of excellence. To win in the Innovation category against the stiff competition for these awards is a tremendous testament to our team of outstanding engineers who have created world-class solutions that bring in business from multinational companies and defence organisations around the world." The Queen's Award for Enterprise for outstanding achievement in International Trade was also awarded to Mantracourt Electronics, a UK designer and manufacturer of microelectronics for industrial measurement applications. Mantracourt's managing director, David Willmington, said: "The Queen's Award is an independent recognition of what the team at Mantracourt have achieved over recent years. Everyone's contribution and commitment has played an essential part in our company's recognition of this award. The investment in recent years in cutting edge manufacturing equipment has enabled us to provide high quality and reliable products which has allowed us to compete with lower cost product alternatives. We believe that this award will strengthen our position in the overseas market through the more difficult economic period ahead." The company is a specialist in strain gauge signal processing, analogue to digital converters and wireless telemetry data acquisition for integration into sensors and sensing applications. The UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, His Royal Highness The Duke of York, said: "I'm delighted to see so many companies applying for, and winning, The Queen's Award for Enterprise this year. Over the years, I've visited many Queen's Award winning firms, and have seen first hand just what a boost this award brings to their business and their employees. My sincere congratulations to this year's record haul of winners and the individual recipients of The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, for their exceptional achievement in gaining this prestigious Award." Business Minister, Lord Mandelson, added: "I heartily congratulate all today's winners of The Queen's Awards. These inspirational firms have proved they are amongst Britain's very best businesses. They are flying the flag for British enterprise, innovation and corporate responsibility, both here and abroad. They have achieved the UK's most prestigious standard of business excellence and set the standard for other businesses to follow as they help lead Britain out of recession."