Birmingham companies receive King 's Award for Enterprise
Three Birmingham companies have received the King 's Award for Enterprise - awarded annually for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility following a tough and strict assessment process.
They are amongst five businesses in the West Midlands to receive the award which was announced today. Each of the five recipients in the West Midlands has been congratulated by The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE who described their achievements as “remarkable and a testimony to the West Midlands ' inherent entrepreneurial culture ”.
The Birmingham recipients of the 2023 King 's Award for Enterprise are (in alphabetical order):
Ammo & Company Ltd, Birmingham - for International Trade. Manufacturers and suppliers of high-quality ceremonial to the Armed Forces communities. Founded in 1850, the company manufactures and supplies equipment used in most ceremonial occasions, including the upcoming Coronation of the King, Trooping the Colour, Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London, Firing of the Royal Salute by The King 's Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery, The Edinburgh Tattoo and Beating Retreat by the Massed Bands and Drums of HM Royal Marines. The company exports to over 20 Commonwealth countries.
Rem3dy Health (trading as Nourished), Birmingham - Innovation. Rem3dy Health, which trades as Nourished, has developed the world 's first personalised nutrient gummy, manufactured on demand with patented 3D printing technology. The revolutionary method combines seven different active ingredients into one daily personalised stack, using 3D printing technology and a patented vegan encapsulation formula.
Shelforce, Birmingham - Promoting Opportunity
A workplace initiative that provides employment and opportunity for some of Birmingham 's most vulnerable people, Shelforce was established in 1839 as a workplace for visually impaired people as part of the Royal School for the Blind. From its origins manufacturing items such as brushes, baskets and mats, it has totally re-invented itself to become a leading window and door manufacturer while staying true to its origins in employing and training those with disabilities.
The Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands, Sir John Crabtree OBE, said the achievements of the five businesses were inspiring.
“Each of the recipients of the King 's Award for Enterprise has an extraordinary story to tell and their achievements are remarkable and a testimony to the West Midlands ' inherent entrepreneurial culture, ” he said.
“The recipients include those that are long-established who have diversified and transformed themselves to meet changing markets and those who have developed innovative techniques to meet the needs of business and consumers. On behalf of the West Midlands, I congratulate them all. ”
Recipients of the King 's Award for Enterprise receive a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy as well as being invited to a Royal reception and being presented with the award by the Lord-Lieutenant. Recipients are also able to fly The King 's Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on stationery and marketing materials. The awards are valid for five-years.
Previous winners have reported benefiting from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, greater press coverage and a boost to staff morale.
Applications for the 2024 King 's Award for Enterprise open in May 2023. Additional information is available here.
Pictured: Howard Trotter, Shelforce Business Manager, centre, with members of the Shelforce team