For the second time in three years, Meech International has been conferred with the UK’s most prestigious award for business achievement:  the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade. Achieving this standard again in such a short space of time confirms the company’s position as one of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of static control, air technology and a range of systems that remove contamination from 2D and 3D objects.

Meech, which is based in Witney, Oxfordshire, was granted the award for a second time for its ‘outstanding achievement in export sales, having continued to grow the business as a whole since 2008, with overall growth in overseas sales reported of 63%’. This success is driven by a strategy that focuses sales activity into geographic areas and market segments where the company’s products can be differentiated over those of competitors, and where the company can identify and build relationships with customers. The Awards are made each year by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

“I am absolutely delighted that Meech has been selected for a Queen’s Award for the second time,” comments Chris Francis, CEO. “This is testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff in all regions, as well as our continuous product development. We endeavour to keep at the cutting edge of the technologies in our segment, and invest year on year in R&D to ensure that we can supply products internationally that reflect the needs of our export markets. Winning this Award suggests that we are doing something right,” he concludes.

The Queen's Awards Office hosts a celebratory reception for the winners, with a congratulatory speech usually given by a member of the Royal Family.  The reception is held as near as possible to the public announcement, which is made annually on the Queen's personal birthday; 21 April.  At a separate ceremony, held later at the winner's premises, a presentation is made by the Queen's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of the County.  The Awards are given solely on merit and competition is fierce. The number of Awards presented each year is not pre-set and depends on the quality of the applications received.