Firms from the north, north-east and Argyll and Bute were among those to win prestigious prizes for international trade and an audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Pipeline monitoring firm Online Electronics, of Aberdeen, Cairndow-based Loch Fyne Oysters and Bute Fabrics, of Rothesay, are celebrating being named winners of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise today, along with 162 other UK firms.
Online Electronics, which was founded in 1996 and now employs 50, was recognised for expanding trade to 30 countries over the last three years. It is the second time the firm, which designs and manufactures pipeline pig monitoring and logging systems, has picked up the accolade.
Its managing director, Brian Gribble, said: “Receiving the Queen’s Award on a second occasion is a great honour and an incredible achievement made possible by the professional standard of work delivered by all of our staff in Aberdeen and across all of our overseas business units.
“The Online Group has more than doubled in size since 2008 and 2014 will be a record year for turnover and profit, with growth largely coming from overseas sales and revenues generated by our successful valves group.”
Loch Fyne, which processes fresh and smoked salmon, oysters, mussels and other seafood, trades with Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and the Americas and has entered a number of new markets recently, including the US, Barbados and Dubai.
The Rothesay mill, which was established in 1947 by the 5th Marquess of Bute to employ ex-service personnel returning from World War II, received its award for international trade after increasing exports.
Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael said: “The Queen’s Awards are a standard of excellence.
“From textiles and oil and gas through to seafood and the video games industry, Scottish companies who have received Queen’s Awards today reflect the skills and talent across Scottish business and the great diversity within the Scottish economy.”
Business, Innovation and Skills Secretary Vince Cable said: “Companies that are growing, innovating and championing UK business overseas deserve the recognition that these awards bestow.
“With more than 100 international trade winners this year, it is clear that Britain is emerging as a leader in selling its quality services and products throughout the world.”
Winners of The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a royal representative and presented with a crystal bowl to mark their achievement. They also attend a celebratory reception at Buckingham Palace. They can use the Queen’s Award emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for five years as a symbol of their quality and success.
The 10 Scottish firms to be recognised in this year’s awards include Glasgow-based 3D animation company Axis Productions, print marketing firm Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment, Livingston medical devices firm Johnson & Johnson Professional Export, Perth-based drilling consultancy Merlin ERD, Paragon Inks of Livingston, laboratory equipment-maker Peak Scientific Instruments and Glasgow biomaterials provider Tissue Solutions.