Welsh firms receiving the King’s Awards for Enterprise

There are six firms recognised in this year’s awards with 186 recipients across the UK

Firms and organisations in Wales have been recognised for their vital contribution to economic growth and improving lives in the King’s Awards for Enterprise.

A total of 186 awards, to firms and organisations across the UK have been conferred, with 76 businesses recognised for international trade, 52 for innovation, 36 for sustainability and 22 for promoting opportunity through social mobility.

In Wales there are six recipients . Wrexham-based Air Covers, which specialises in designing and manufacturing protective covers for both civil and military aircraft, boats and vehicles, receives an award in recognition of its international trade. Pontypridd Laser Wire Solutions, a world leader in laser wire stripping, and Llanelli-based DIG International Group, an international civil engineering contractor focused on infrastructure and surface mining, are also recognised for international trade.

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The Neath-based Safety Letterbox Company, which designs, manufactures and supplies mailboxes and parcel boxes, is recognised for innovation. King’s Awards for sustainability have been awarded to Swansea-based Bionema Group, an agritech venture that is pioneering the replacement of pesticides and fertilisers with biologicals that protect crops, soil and biodiversity, as well as artistic venue the Wales Millennium Centre for embedding sustainability across its operations.

Blair McDougall, UK Government Minister for Small Businesses and Economic Transformation, said: “A huge congratulations to every business receiving awards this year, who once again have illustrated the best of British innovation and talent.

“These awards show that right across the UK, there are small businesses that are thriving, growing and succeeding, and it’s only right that we champion these successes.”

Out of the 186 awards, 164 (89%) went to SMEs, and of those, 24 (13%) are micro-businesses with 10 employees or fewer.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 60 years since the first awards were conferred in 1966. Formerly known as the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, since their inception more than 8,000 British businesses have been recognised with this royal accolade.