Slough Express

A Two-Man Windsor company has scooped a prestigious Queen's Award for Innovation.

Father and son, Alan and Craig Stephenson, make up the smallest firm acknowledged with the award this year. Monarch International was set up four years ago to market a DIY product WETNFIX, devised by Alan.

WETNFIX solves the problem of securing wall plugs into oversized holes and is sold in all the big DIY stores.

Acting Queen's Awards secretary Stephen Brice said: "This is a great achievement for Monarch International, one of two Berkshire companies to be acknowledged with a Queen's Award this year. Hopefully Monarch's success will encourage other small businesses to apply for the Queen's Awards 2005."

Company founder Alan Stephenson said: "Receiving this award is proof that simple ideas are often the most successful, and can be achieved with just a small team of people.

"We are now focusing on opportunities for overseas trade and developing more product ideas."

Lord Lieutenant for the Royal County of Berkshire, Philip Wroughton presented the Queen's Award rose bowl to the pair at Windsor Guildhall last Wednesday.

The Mayor and Mayoress of the royal borough, Emrys and Carol Richards and deputy Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Roy Trustram Eve, also attended the ceremony.

BACK TO LIST