Building and Construction Firms Win Queen's Award for Enterprise

Several firms from the building and construction world are celebrating after winning a Queen's Award for Enterprise - the UK's most prestigious annual accolade for business success.

In total, 119 Business Awards were announced this year - 71 for International Trade, 40 for Innovation and 8 for Sustainable Development. As ever, winning companies come from a vast range of business sectors, and range in size from two firms with just three employees to an international giant employing 68,000 people. 49% of this year's winning firms employ less than 50 people.

Amongst this year's winning companies from the building and construction sector are a supplier of construction machinery JCB Compact Products Ltd; a supplier of pre-machined timber kits for new houses Hickman Industries Ltd; the makers of an innovative cladding solution, Sureclad (Shakerley Holdings) Group Ltd; and housebuilder Crest Nicholson PLC, which wins an Award for continuous achievement in the delivery of sustainable homes and community regeneration. Other winners from the sector include Titan Steel Wheels Ltd, Andrews Water Heaters and James Halstead plc.

To mark their achievement, a representative from each winning company was invited to attend a special reception in London in the presence of HRH the Duke of York. The actual presentation of each company's Award by a Queen's representative takes place later in the year, normally during local ceremonies at the workplace - an opportunity for all employees to share in the celebration. Winning firms also benefit from extensive publicity, increased recognition and the chance to use the coveted Queen's Award Emblem in all marketing for five years. Representatives from each company are also invited to a reception at Buckingham Palace in the summer.

Alongside the corporate winners, a further eleven outstanding individuals were honoured in the Queen's Awards for Enterprise Promotion (QAEP). These Awards, now in their third year, are for individuals who have played an outstanding and significant rote in promoting the growth of enterprise and entrepreneurial skills and attitudes in others. Recipients here range from people promoting enterprise in schools, colleges and youth groups to successful entrepreneurs who have inspired and supported others into enterprise.

The deadline for applications for the 2008 Queen's Awards is 31 October 2007. Winners and recipients will be announced on 21 April 2008.

• For more information please visit www.queensawards.org.uk

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