Queen's Award recognition for the region's enterprising firms

Camira Fabrics, based in Huddersfield, is one of 15 firms in the region to receive a Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The awards are presented in three categories: Sustainable Development, Innovation and International Trade.

Camira Fabrics received its third Queen's Award for Enterprise in the sustainable development category in recognition for its Second Nature branded environmental textiles including its sting fabric which is made from the common stinging nettle.

Managing director Paul Goodall said: "This is the pinnacle of achievement in terms of recognition for our environmental progress which we've sustained over 15 years."

The other recipient in the sustainable development category this year was Sheffield-based Gripple, which manufactures wire joining devices.

The latest award means the company has secured an award in all three Queen's Awards categories in consecutive years.

Six companies were highlighted for outstanding achievement in the innovation category.

Leeds-based Surgical Innovations, which designs and manufactures innovative surgical devices was recognised for its YelloPort+Plus – a port access system which acts as a channel into the body allowing surgeons to carry out delicate keyhole procedures.

Salamander, based in York, received the award after developing software which is being used by Britain's armed forces to help the planning and operation of current campaigns by enabling air, land and maritime sectors to work together effectively. ATB Morley, based in Pudsey, won its award for developing high voltage electric motors for the global coal mining industry.

Joseph Rhodes, based in Wakefield, was recognised for the continuous development of its presses, which are designed to form and join titanium and aluminium alloys at high temperatures and are used primarily for the aerospace industry.

Sheffield-based Simcyp received the award for the continuous

development of modelling and simulation software to evaluate new

medicines in the safety of a computer.

Tickhill Engineering, based in Doncaster, won an award for the continuous development of machinery for washing, polishing, sizing, inspecting and packing vegetables.

Meanwhile, seven companies received the award for international trade. Pipeline Engineering, of Richmond, North Yorkshire, was highlighted for its achievement in growing its exports by 150 per cent since 2004, representing over 50m of export business over the period and leading to the recruitment of 94 new employees.

Generator manufacturer Allam Marine, based in Hull, received the award for almost doubling its overseas revenues to 94m per year and increasing export sales to over 200m in three years.

Shipley-based CarnaudMetalbox Engineering, which designs and manufactures can making machinery, increased overseas sales by 60 per cent between 2006 and 2008.

McCalls Special Products, which manufactures threaded bar and cable systems for the construction industry at its base in Rotherham, increased its export earnings by 124 per cent in 58 countries.

Sheffield-based Ward Shoes, which exports customer returned footwear and clothing, increased overseas sales by 131 per cent between 2004 and 2009. Yellow Octopus, based in Skipton, which sells outlet and second hand clothing and footwear to wholesalers and retailers, increased its export earnings by nearly 400 per cent.

Set top box manufacturer Pace, based in Saltaire, has achieved its third successive Queen's Award for Enterprise for its "exceptional" achievement in increasing its export revenues threefold in three years to over 920m per annum and selling over 85 per cent of its production overseas.

Mark of quality and success

A total of 143 Queen's Awards have been announced this year, including 15 in Yorkshire.

Overall, 95 companies have won awards for international trade, 38 for innovation and 10 for sustainable development.

The winning firms cover a vast range of business sectors. They range from enterprising small businesses with as few as three employees to household names such as the FA Premier League, food company Walkers Shortbread, and bicycle manu-facturer Brompton Bicycle.

Winners also enjoy a company visit by a Royal representative during the year to present a commemorative crystal bowl, a special reception at Buckingham Palace and are entitled to use The Queen's Award Emblem for five years as a symbol of their quality and success.