Of the eleven winners: eight are in the international trade category, one in the innovation category and one in the sustainable development category.
Blizzard Protection Systems of Bangor received the the Queen’s Award for enterprise innovation award. The company’s Blizzard Survival kit is used around the world by mountaineers, rescue organisations, disaster response authorities and civilian medical practitioners. Their Blizzard Survival Blankets and Blizzard Heat products are now being used by the United States Army and Special Forces units as the most effective way to keep casualties alive on the battlefield. In the last12 months sales have doubled and over 90% of their products are exported.
Newsprint manufacturer UPM-Kymmene (UK), trading on Deeside as
Shotton Paper, was given the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for sustainable development in recognition of its outstanding governance to identify and address all opportunities to progress sustainability throughout its operations. The firm, which employs around 400, has introduced innovative measures such as renewable energy and power generation.
An individual award was also given to Beverley Pold, the business development/ policy manager for
Chwarae Teg – the independent organisation which promotes and develops the role of women in the workforce in Wales.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for businesses honour outstanding UK companies by recognising the achievement of the successful business unit. Minister for Trade & Investment Mervyn Davies – Lord Davies of Abersoch – said: “A Queen’s Award for Enterprise is an internationally-recognised symbol of business success. Past International Trade winners consistently tell us how their Award has helped open new doors for their company overseas.”
Further InformationQueen's Award for Enterprise full list of winnersWestern Mail article on Welsh Winners