Three north and north-east businesses are among 10 Scottish companies celebrating success in the latest round of Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Wick-based KP Technology, Rothes company Forsyths and Aberdeen’s Hydro Group, along with seven other firms from north of the border, are among 230 winners from around the UK. The prestigious accolades, established in 1965, are held annually to mark the Queen’s birthday.
KP Technology’s latest honour is for innovation and follows two previous successes by the 18-year-old firm in the Queen’s Awards.
The Caithness company, led by founder and managing director Iain Baikie, has received its latest gong in recognition of its pioneering development of an air photoemission system (APS) for materials analysis.
Nanotechnology scientists working in a variety of energy industry sectors use APS to increase efficiencies and accelerate the development of next generation devices.
Keith Muir, head of business growth at Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) said: “This is a tremendous achievement for KP Technology. HIE is delighted that all the hard work carried out by Professor Baikie and his dedicated team has been recognised with this award.”
A spokeswoman for international trade award winner Forsyths, a fabrication firm focused on the whisky and energy industries, said its accolade followed “great demand for our pot stills and other distillation equipment all over the world”.
Exports to Asia were growing, she said, adding: “Over the coming year we have more deliveries to Japan and China.”