Four Welsh companies – who between them have seen overseas sales grow by a staggering 1,300% over the last three years – were congratulated today by Economy Minister Edwina Hart on their success in winning the Queen’s Award for International Trade.
Speaking at a business lunch to celebrate and acknowledge the achievements of all Welsh winners of the 2014 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise the Minister said :
”These Awards are the UK’s highest accolade for business success and highlight some quite remarkable achievements by Welsh companies and individuals in terms of international trade, innovation and promoting enterprise.
“International trade, innovation and the promotion of enterprise are key ingredients for developing a robust and dynamic economy and I am delighted to see Wales is represented in these three areas
“All are very worthy winners of these prestigious awards which provide an excellent platform to promote the expertise of Welsh companies working across the sectors. It also illustrates that size is no barrier to achieving outstanding success and growth in both home and overseas markets.
“I am also pleased to see that several companies have benefited from Welsh Government support to grow their business and congratulate all on their achievements.”
The winners of The Queen’s Awards for International Trade are: Dawnus International, Swansea; Lumishore, Swansea; Orangebox, Hengoed and Plas Farm, Anglesey.
Concrete Canvas, Pontypridd, was the only Welsh winner in the Queen’s Awards for Innovation and Mrs Christine Atkinson, Deputy Director of Entrepreneurship, University of South Wales, was one of only eight individuals in the UK to receive the Queen’s Award for Achievement in Enterprise Promotion
Over the last three years Dawnus International, a civil engineering and building company has seen its overseas sales increase by 373%; Plas Farm Ltd which produces natural, zero fat and low fat frozen yoghurt has increased overseas sales by 495% and Swansea based Lumishore Ltd which manufactures high output, underwater LED lighting systems for the leisure marine industry has grown overseas sales by 332%; Orangebox has seen outstanding overseas earnings growth of 105% over the last three years, while employee levels have grown from 220 – 300.