Exhall Aerospace firm finally gets its hands on Queen's Award

An aerospace company finally received its coveted Queen’s Award for International Trade – more than six months after finding out it had landed the prize.

Arrowsmith Engineering won the award – one of the most prestigious business prizes – after recording a 996 per cent increase in export activity over a three-year period.

But, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the company had to wait until December before it could actually lay its hands on the prize as it welcomed Craig Tracey MP, Louise Bennett, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, and the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Timothy Cox, to present the award at the company’s base in Exhall.

Jason Aldridge, Managing Director of Arrowsmith Engineering, said: “This is a massive achievement for everyone here at the company and, although we’ve had to be patient and wait to receive it, it was well worth it.

“We’ve also had another bit of good news this week with the company successfully securing the Fit for Nuclear (F4N) Accreditation to help us increase market share in this sector.”

Louise Bennett added: “The Queen’s Award is one of the biggest prizes a business can win anywhere in the world. It opens doors across the globe like no other award can and we are very pleased and proud to see Arrowsmith Engineering receiving it.

“The company continues to innovate and look at new markets which is exactly what businesses need to do as we look to grow out of the Covid-19 crisis.”

The Lord Lieutenant said: “I am delighted to present the Award on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen. Arrowsmith Engineering are an excellent company and I am pleased that they have been recognised for their outstanding achievements. The Lieutenancy is always keen to find similar companies of all sizes to consider putting themselves forward for this prestigious award.”