Enterprise pays off for local firm (From Gazette Series)

Enterprise pays off for local firm

A WOTTON-UNDER-EDGE business has won a top national award for innovation to mark the Queen's 80th birthday.

In honour of Her Majesty's birthday today, HRH Queen Elizabeth II announced the winners of the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

The awards differ from personal honours such as MBEs because they recognise the achievement of a business unit as a whole and reward management and employees working as a team.

Renishaw plc, based near Wotton-under-Edge, was bestowed the coveted award for the development of automatic non-contact tool setting systems used in computer numerical controlled machines.

The product is hoped to overcome the difficulties associated with traditional contact systems. The use of contact tool-setting systems in harsh metal-cutting environments can lead to damaged tools.

This is the 11th Queen's Award the company has received since its first in 1979.

Renishaw plc has 1,300 employees across its operations at New Mills and Old Town in Wotton-under-Edge, Woodchester and Stonehouse.

Sir David McMurtry, CBE RDI chairman and chief executive of Renishaw, said the company was delighted to receive another commendation for one of its products. He paid tribute to the group's employees in the UK and overseas who have contributed to the success of its now award winning product.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise have three broad-based categories; international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

The awards announced today are formally conferred by Grants of Appointment and are presented to the winners on behalf of the Queen by Lords Lieutenant.

The Lord Lieutenant for Gloucestershire Henry Elwes will be presenting Renishaw representatives with their prize, a hand-made crystal bowl, later in the year.

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are traditionally held for a period of five years from the date of its announcement.