Winning a Queen’s Award for Innovation has helped cheque security company CHECKPRINT increase turnover and staff during the past 18 months.

The Hinckley business has doubled sales of the products entered for the Award – and will soon have to look for more space to work.

Group managing director Martin Ruda says turnover has increased by £750,000 over the past two years to £4.5 million and, during that time, CHECKPRINT has taken on four new employees to bring the workforce to 56.

Within the next five years, CHECKPRINT will have to expand from its current 17,000 sq ft of space – but Mr Ruda says the firm does not intend to move away from the area.

“We like it here.  We have a very loyal staff and are committed to the community.”

The company, originally a security printer concentrating on supplying printed cheques, now sells and supports software products which enable banks and building societies to automate and bring in-house the printing of cheques.

It was this, which accounts for 20 per cent of the business, which took the Award. 

Martin Ruda said: “I am certain the recognition and credibility generated by the Queen’s Award contributes significantly to our reputation.

We are not a big company but we have large corporate customers and they treat us with respect when we have accreditation such as the Queen’s Award, which is a rare achievement.”

CHECKPRINT was visited last week as part of a nationwide tour urging businesses to bid for a Queen’s Award this year. 

Stephen Brice, secretary to the Queen’s Award Office, and David Moore, secretary to the Prime Minister’s advisory committee, were in the Eat Midlands to encourage firms to enter.

Mr Brice said last year 145 companies won Queen’s Awards – but only six were from this region. 

He said: “Wherever we go, previous winners tell us how much they have benefited.  Many claimed it gave them an edge over their competitors, while exporting companies found it invaluable as an overseas marketing tool.”

Mr Moore said CHECKPRINT had applied for the Award “to ensure that they were treated as serious players in their sector and they were delighted with the effect the Award had.

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