Airline Component Services is based in the town of Braintree, in Braintree District.
Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics: An experienced team of logistics professionals, with a global office network/warehouses in strategic locations.
Atlantic Pacific Global Logistics is based in the town of Basildon, in Basildon Borough.
Direct Meats (Knights Farm): Direct Meats represents small private-label branded farms in the UK to export markets.
Direct Meats is based in the village of Chappel, in Colchester Borough.
Kestrel Liner Agencies: Specialist global logistics to niche markets for all cargo types/services with excellence of customer service.
Kestrel Liner Agencies is based in the village of Stansted Mountfitchet, in Uttlesford District.
RSS International: Delivering excellent road safety and enforcement services across the globe.
RSS is based in the town of Stanford-le-hope, in the Thurrock Unitary Local Authority.
Select Tech: The leading provider of (ERP) Microsoft Dynamics 365 and SAP consultants internationally across Europe.
Select Tech is based in the town of Billericay, in Basildon Borough.
Skysmart MRO: A world-leading aircraft component repair facility supporting the global fleet of Boeing and Airbus aircraft.
Skysmart MRO is based in the town of Great Dunmow, in Uttlesford District.
Titan Airways: Leading independent UK airline, providing passenger and cargo air charter and lease services worldwide.
Titan Airways is based in Stansted Airport, in Uttlesford District.
Dura Composites is based in the town of Clacton-on-Sea, in Tendring District.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Promoting Opportunity” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:35px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Ipeco Holdings: Ipeco’s engineering training programme realises potential in young people, providing secure employment and career development.
Ipeco Holdings is based in the city of Southend-on-Sea, in the Southend-on-Sea Unitary Local Authority.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Sustainable Development” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:25|text_align:left|color:%23000000|line_height:35px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]Climbing Trees Online Marketing: Climbing Trees cares as much about the planet as about digital marketing campaigns.
Climbing Trees is based in the village of Earls Colne, in Braintree District.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_custom_heading text=”While most of the Essex businesses were first-time winners, it was the fourth time for the Kestrel group.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23c00000|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Kestrel is the UK’s largest liner agent. Chief Executive Officer Andy Thorne said of the Award: “It is the highest accolade you can achieve. Every person in the organisation feels it.” He said the awards are helpful in winning business overseas. “It’s our trump card.”
Kestrel is not the only multiple award winner; Direct Meats, DuraComposites and RSS have also won previously.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”The eleven winners are a varied group.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23c00000|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Four are directly connected with the airline industry, reflecting the importance to the local economy of Stansted and Southend airports.
The list also includes companies in freight services, IT, marketing, meat, road policing, shipping and walkway products.
The businesses range in size from 8 to 652 employees and come from across the county, from Stanford-le-Hope to Clacton-on-sea.
The oldest was started in 1960 and the youngest in 2015.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”All the international trade winners have enjoyed impressive growth.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23c00000|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Select Tech, which works on cloud business applications, increased sales by 441% in three years; 96% of its turnover is overseas.
Skysmart, which operates as a civil aircraft component repair firm, reported a 414% increase in turnover over three years.
Titan, the charter airline which helped to coordinate the largest peacetime repatriation following Thomas Cook’s collapse, saw overseas sales grow by more than 300% between 2021 and 2023.
Airline Component Services increased its overseas sales by 238% over three years.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Winners can use the emblem on stationery and fly the flag at their main premises. But the main benefit is the impact of increased credibility on sales and recruitment.” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:30|text_align:left|color:%23c00000|line_height:30px” google_fonts=”font_family:Questrial%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]At Climbing Trees, a digital search marketing company which analyses and reports on attitudes to sustainability, Alex Holliman, the Manging Director, said: that in a sector with 27,000 agencies, the “prestige of this will differentiate us. It will add to our credibility.”
This view was shared by Martin Blackwell, the owner of Direct Meats. He said the award gives “huge credibility” when exporting – the company sells in 15 markets including India. “People think we supply the Royal family!”
Will Roeder at Select Tech said the staff were delighted. “This is top of our list in terms of the recognition we wanted to achieve. We can already see the benefits – including recruitment – that this is going to bring. It gives us credibility and allows us to stand out.”
Ipeco, a world leader in aircraft crew seating, operates a trainee programme which includes people from low achieving schools and disadvantaged backgrounds. Everyone who completes the programme is offered a permanent job; many go on to hold key positions. The award is a “pat on the back for all the people in Ipeco who contribute to the scheme,” said Steve Johnson, Chief Executive.
Stuart Burns, Managing Director of Dura Composites, said: “Our primary driver as a business is to solve client challenges through sustainable innovation, so this award is particularly meaningful.”
A number of winners said the application process was itself helpful. “If you have a good story and can demonstrate clear strategy and have results there is no reason not to apply,” said Mr Roeder.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”2707″ img_size=”” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_single_image image=”2708″ img_size=”” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_single_image image=”2709″ img_size=”” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_single_image image=”2710″ img_size=”” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large”][vc_column_text]If you would like to hear more from past winners and learn about the application process, watch this webinar: The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025, Tips & Insights from Experts in Essex.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Find out more about The King’s Award for Enterprise on our dedicated page >[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][vc_empty_space][vc_single_image image=”2714″ img_size=”849×425″ alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” link=”https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise”][vc_empty_space][vc_column_text]Applications for the next round of the King’s Award for Enterprise are due by 9 September 2024.
Find out more at: http://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Find out more about The King’s Award for Enterprise on our dedicated page >[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
