Bristol Evening Post

Leaders of five Bristol-based companies were due to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace today after being awarded one of the most prestigious business accolades.
Officials from Diamonite Aircraft Furnishings, Cyton Biosciences, Hayles and Howe, Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology and The Somerset Toiletry Company will all get the chance to meet
The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh to collect The Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2003.
They are among 13 firms from around the region who have been invited to attend the glitzy evening reception after scooping the honour.
Diamonite Aircraft Furnishings managing director Dave Cox said the firm’s turnover now stood at £7.5 million.
The firm, which is based on the Fishponds Trading Estate in Clay Hill, currently employs 150 people and much of its recent success has been attributed to winning contracts to design and fit the interior of 47 Russian planes.
The company has also kitted out two helicopters for Russian President Vladimir Putin and has recently finished work on Mr Putin’s personal Jumbo jet.
Mr Cox said; “The whole company has played its part in being recognised by this Award.”
Also up for the Award is Yatton-based Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology – its second in as many years. The company provides specialist process equipment to 26 countries for the development and manufacture of silicon chips for mobile phones and Internet technology.
Hayles and Howe, of Montpelier, achieved a global business last year of just under £4 million and Cyton Bioseciences, of Clifton, more than doubled its overseas earnings in the past three years.
The Somerset Toiletry Company, based on the edge of Bristol, in Clutton, has also benefited from a major upturn in overseas trade, director Roger Buoy said.
The event will be attended by the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, Jacqui Smith.
She said; “This accolade is not given lightly – businesses have to demonstrate sustained excellence in overseas trade, innovation or sustainability. These winning projects set a fantastic example to others. Previous winners have seen their reputation improve both at home and overseas, and a recent survey showed that winning a Queen’s Award can boost staff morale by as much as 80 per cent.”
These prestigious awards have been running since 1965.
This year there were 123 award winners from across the UK. They range from a major manufacturer and exporter of high performance sports cars to the team behind the innovative design and development of the London Eye.

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