The Duke of Gloucester has presented a Queen’s Award marking export achievement to a JCB company providing parts and service back-up to thousands of customers around the world.

JCB Service, based at the World Parts Centre in Uttoxeter, received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise from the Royal visitor after increasing overseas sales by more than 36 per cent between 2004 and 2006.

The award, in the international trade category, was presented to group chief executive Matthew Taylor at a ceremony at the World Parts Centre attended by many of the employees who contributed to the success.

Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire, James Hawley, told company officials: “We in Staffordshire are very proud of you all and you and your products are great ambassadors for the county. I, like so many others when abroad, am always thrilled to see one of your yellow machines beavering away and feel a real glow of pride when we think that it probably started life here in Uttoxeter and is kept going by efficient and speedy supply of spare parts and replacements.”

Mr Taylor said JCB Service was very proud to have been chosen for the award which was the 23rd for the JCB Group.

“It is well-deserved recognition of the achievement of the people gathered here and their colleagues around the world. It is a fitting tribute to all their hard work.

“The World Parts Centre is at the heart of our worldwide dealer and customer support network – which includes facilities in Paris, Madrid, Singapore, Shanghai, Sao Paulo, Savannah in the USA and India. Very shortly, our new Moscow warehouse will be fully operational – and next on our list are the Czech Republic and United Arab Emirates – evidence of our ongoing investment in service support.”

During the visit The Duke toured the World Parts Centre and met some of the centre’s 300 staff who work at the 24-hour operation which dispatches around a million parts every week around the world.