Simonstone engineering firm honoured for international trade

The company, a world leader in the design and manufacture of valves and equipment for the road transportation of liquid, gas and hazardous cargo, was presented with the Red Rose Award at a ceremony at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Director for Innovation Andrew Bryce said: “The award is a well-deserved recognition for all the efforts of our 330 employees who have worked so hard to make 2011 Fort Vale’s most successful year ever.”

A three-time recipient of the Queen’s Award for Exports, Fort Vale holds 80% of the international market and is a significant exporter, notably to China, and exports more than 90% of its sales. The company also has wholly-owned subsidiaries in the USA, Netherlands, Russia and China and Singapore, with local representation in Russia and Australia.

Mr Bryce added: “Winning the award at this prestigious event rounded off a fantastic evening and is another fantastic achievement for Fort Vale. We are very proud to have a global product that is designed and manufactured in Lancashire by local people.

“The past 12 months have been both exciting and demanding. Through meeting a series of challenges we were able to double our turnover to £40m. and importantly maintain our majority market share.”