Fort Vale Engineerings Royal Recognition with King’s Award win
Global manufacturer Fort Vale Engineering has been honoured with the King’s Award for International Trade, marking its fifth such accolade. The prestigious award was presented in a ceremony attended by over 200 people, including employees and guests, at the company’s headquarters in Simonstone, Burnley. Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker, acting as King Charles III’s representative, bestowed the award for Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales over the past three years.
During the presentation, Mrs Parker highlighted the rarity of winning a King’s Award, noting that only three businesses in Lancashire received the honour in 2024. She praised Fort Vale for its role in making East Lancashire a hub for manufacturing excellence, stating, “You are supplying something so specific, and this allows Lancashire to be a centre for manufacturing excellence. I am incredibly proud of you. Congratulations on your first King’s Award.”
Fort Vale, the world’s leading precision manufacturer of valves and fittings for the tank container, road tanker, and rail industries, has previously won four Queen’s Awards, with the first in 1981. The latest award was granted after the company saw an impressive 59 percent growth in overseas sales, bringing its international business to 97 percent of total sales.
Ian Wilson, managing director of Fort Vale, expressed his pride in the team’s efforts, attributing the success to their hard work, dedication, and continuous innovation. “Our strength is in our team, and this award is a testament to their efforts,” Wilson said. He added that Fort Vale’s focus on customer collaboration and innovation has enabled the company to export British-designed and manufactured products to 69 countries in the past three years.
The celebration included a tour of the factory and facilities, culminating in a presentation and buffet held in the company’s purpose-built sports hall. Reflecting on the award, Wilson noted, “This award is not won by any one person. It has been a team effort. We have a great team here, and I really appreciate all the work you have put in to help us achieve this King’s Award.”
Founded in 1967, Fort Vale has a long-standing commitment to apprenticeships, with six new apprentices joining over the summer, bringing the current total to 34. Remarkably, three members of the company’s board of directors began their careers as apprentices. The company also has a global presence, with a manufacturing subsidiary in China and warehouse and sales support in the Netherlands, the US, Singapore, and Australia, serving the ISO container market for bulk chemicals and food industries.
For more information visit www.fortvale.com
22 October 2024