WOTTON engineering firm Renishaw received a royal visit in the company’s milestone 40th year.

His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex visited the global engineering technologies company to present directors with their 16th Queen’s Award.

Prince Edward greeted Renishaw founders Sir David McMurtry and John Deer, alongside Lord-Lieutenant for Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire, Hugh Tollemache and Wotton mayor Roger Claydon.

The company scooped its latest Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovations category for its REVO five-axis multi-sensor probing system.

This system is used on co-ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) to improve accuracy and throughput when inspecting complex parts, which include aero-engine blades, automotive cylinder blocks and many types of gears.

Prince Edward showed great interest in the award-winning REVO device, shown alongside an early prototype made by Sir David himself.

After examining Renishaw devices measuring everything from 3D-printed teeth to Rolls Royce jet engines, HRH met a group of the company’s young apprentices.

Announcing the Queen’s Award, Dame Janet said: “Gloucestershire, your Royal Highness, punches above its weight in terms of Queen’s Awards. We had eight last year and six this year.

“Of course Renishaw punches above its weight locally, nationally and internationally. Sixteen awards in 40 years is an outstanding record.”

Sir David paid tribute to the team behind the REVO device, which he described as one of the most challenging projects the firm had ever taken on.

Dave Wallace, director and general manager of the CMM products division, received the award from Prince Edward.

Assistant chief executive Ben Taylor praised the inspiring leadership of founders Sir David and ‘unsung hero’ deputy chairman John Deer before a Wotton apprentice brought up awards commemorating the company’s 40th anniversary.

Jasmine Shellard, 22, who joined the apprentice scheme after working in the assembly division, gave the trophies to Prince Edward to give to the Renishaw leaders.

Prince Edward himself took away a unique 3D-printed titanium replica of Renishaw’s 1802 building, mounted on a piece of pine from one of the original Renishaw beams.