Queen’s Awards for three Swindon and Wiltshire companies

Two Swindon firms and a company from Amesbury have won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the UK’s highest official accolade for business success.

Swindon-based BG Automotive and Terrapart International, along with Amesbury-based The Tintometer, are recipients of the award in the International Trade category.

Established in 2001, BGA is a manufacturer and supplier of automotive engine parts and components, employing more than 60 full time staff from its head office and warehouse in Swindon.

Managing director Chris Cameron said: “We are tremendously proud of receiving this prestigious accolade. We have been extremely successful in championing our product overseas by attending various international trade shows and offering a comprehensive export service.

“In just six years, we have built up a strong client base located in over 40 countries around the world. I am extremely appreciative of all the efforts from our dedicated export sales team and supporting staff.”

Based at Broad Hinton, Terrapart has been manufacturing heavy plant parts for earth moving equipment since 1989.

MD Chris Drewett said: “This award is both a great honour and a tribute to our small dedicated team. We would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to all our customers and suppliers worldwide for their contribution to our story.”

The Tintometer Ltd – founded 130 years ago in Salisbury – is now based at Solstice Park near Amesbury, and is a leading supplier of water analysis equipment to the leisure, environmental and industrial sectors.

“We are so delighted to receive this prestigious award. It is deserved recognition for the hard work and talent of our whole team,’ said MD Chris Counsell.

“It is even more important to us when you consider that our export growth was achieved during the peak of the financial crisis and the worst recession in the last 100 years.”

Now in their 50th year, recipients of the Award are announced annually on the Queen’s birthday – April 21.

Winners of the award are presented with a crystal bowl to mark their achievement by a Royal representative, and are also invited to a summer garden party at Buckingham Palace.

More importantly, they are able to use the Queen’s Award emblem on their marketing material and packaging for five years.