West Midlands firms celebrating Kings Awards joined by Shropshire counterparts

Companies in Bridgnorth, Telford, Welshpool and Abermule all scooped prestigious Kings Awards this year - with one firm taking the honour for the fourth occasion.

Now in its 59th year, The King’s Award is the most prestigious business award in the country.  

The King’s Award for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, was renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

Bridgnorth based Grainger & Worrall, which employs 525 people at its foundry in Shropshire, was one of only 46 organisations to be recognised in the high-profile innovation category.

Their work developing prototype 'gigacastings' which improve production processes in the automotive industry bagged them an award in the innovation category.

“The King’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation is revered across the world and will support our desire to push technology - born in Shropshire - to customers in existing and emerging international markets," said Duncan Eldridge, Chief Executive Officer of Grainger & Worrall.

“This achievement reflects the dedication, creativity and expertise of our talented team, who relentlessly strive to push the boundaries of what is possible in aluminium casting technology. 

“We are putting Bridgnorth on the global map when it comes to producing components that will help drive sustainable manufacturing for years to come.” 

In Telford, Fabweld Steel Products is one of 197 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise today (Tuesday, May 6), due to the company's work reducing emissions as part of a plan to become a "net zero" steel producer.

Established in 1998, Fabweld Steel Products Ltd designs and manufactures manhole covers and other fabricated steel products for the construction, water, energy and security industries from its base in Tweedale.

“It is an absolute privilege to receive the highest honour that can be bestowed on a UK business, and a testament to everyone at Fabweld who has played a part in this success," said Wayne Carter, managing director of Fabweld.

“We have made significant progress in reducing consumption through innovative product design, investment in staff training, with wider sustainability outcomes through community engagement and profit sharing within the business.

“Our actions and commitment demonstrate a genuine and focused approach to operating in a way that delivers measurable, positive outcomes for both the business and sustainability and we are incredibly proud that this has been recognised.”

In recent years, the company has focused primarily on reducing emissions through substantial investment in solar energy and the installation of equipment to generate nitrogen on site. 

Just over the border in Powys, technology firm Invertek Drives bagged an international trade award, granted to companies who have demonstrated "outstanding growth in overseas earnings". 

The company designs and manufactures variable frequency drives(VFD) - a type of motor drive system used in applications ranging from small appliances to large compressors - and employs over 400 people at its headquarters on Offas Dyke Business Park on the edge of Welshpool.

Elsewhere in Powys, Montgomeryshire-based Stashed Products were also recognised with a Kings Award for Innovation after launching their space-rail bike storage system in 2022.

The Abermule firm has taken over 4,000 orders for the system, and last year said they were expecting revenues of over £10 million over the course of next five years.