Telford company Thermserve was today named as a winner of a Queen’s Award for International Trade. The top honours are handed out to enterprising firms on the Queen’s birthday and recognise the best in British business.
Managing director Steven Hodgkiss was celebrating the award today with staff whose “energy, enthusiasm and hard work” have helped see the company grow to achieve a £2 million turnover and a move to bigger manufacturing premises.
Mr Hodgkiss, who set up the company which supplies engineered solutions to the aluminium smelting and extrusion industries, said: “We are extremely pleased and will now build on the solid foundations and highly valued customer relationships which are in place.
“With the implementation of an aggressive worldwide marketing campaign and extensive overseas presence, the company targeted the most prestigious customers within its sector with fantastic results.
“This award is a true reflection of the company’s commitment to export sales.”
Thermserve, based at Unit B2 on Halesfield 11, is moving this week to take over units B5 and B6, to accommodate its growth in aluminium smelting, which sees it design and manufacture the metal for a variety of uses from aluminium strips used in double glazing to components used in the car and aerospace industries.
Mr Hodgkiss previously worked for a company involved in the design sector of the smelting industry but wanted to set up a business which could take in both the design and manufacturing process.
“I still have a close working relationship with the company I worked for, but I wanted to set up as a manufacturing operation. We are expanding all the time, taking over two new units with 16 permanent staff and more than 20 contractors.
“World class companies expect world class suppliers and that’s what we have always strived to be. Winning this award is not only recognition for our past endeavours but an important benchmark for future success.
“This award would not have been a reality without the unfailing drive and passion of every member of staff.”
Business development manager Lee Halley said 77 per cent of sales in the last year were export sales to countries across the globe.
Market coverage is widespread, with the main ones being UAE, taking 38 per cent of total overseas sales, followed by 21 per cent to Europe, seven per cent to Australia and six per cent to Turkey.
Over the past three years new markets have been established in Norway and Portugal and the company has recently signed a worldwide licensing agreement to produce aluminium extrusion equipment. Since 2005 overseas sales have increased by a huge 133 per cent.
John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform said: “We want more new and growing businesses in the UK and more companies and people acting on their enterprising ideas - and these outstanding award winners are all great examples of that.
“I’d urge other British-based businesses which can prove outstanding success to apply for the prestigious Queen’s Awards. Winning companies of all sizes as well as individual entrepreneurs are great examples of British business success and it is an accolade I believe all successful businesses should aspire to.”
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