Meech celebrates Queen’s Awards success

Meech International, a supplier of electrostatic control systems for industrial processes, marked its recent success in winning The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2009 with a celebration at its Oxfordshire, UK, headquarters on July 15.
 
During proceedings, the award was presented on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen by the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson. Also in attendance were the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Richard Dick, and representatives of Oxfordshire County Council, including chairman councilor Tony Crabbe; cabinet member responsible for economic development; councilor David Robertson; business development officer William Barton and deputy mayor of Witney, councilor Harry Eaglestone. 
 
Speaking to the assembled Meech team and guests, the Lord Lieutenant referred to the company’s ‘remarkable achievement’ in winning the award at its first attempt. ‘The Queen’s Award is a recognition not just of success but of sustained progress in international trade over not less than six years. Meech International is truly a world leader in its field and with the company’s demonstrable track record of innovation, I look forward to becoming a serial visitor.’
 
Meech’s chairman Chris Francis expressed thanks for the hard work and loyalty of his colleagues worldwide – in addition to its Witney site, the company has offices in Belgium, China, Hungary, India and the USA – and to its many overseas distributors, ‘each of whom participated in and deserves recognition for this success,’ said. Over 70 percent of the systems produced by Meech are sold in 45 overseas markets.
 
‘We are experiencing probably the toughest recession in living memory and one that is unique in that it is global,’ he continued. ‘With opportunities for growth in new geographic markets therefore limited, we have had to work hard to hold and expand market share, while at the same time ensuring that we are positioned to take advantage of the eventual upturn by continuing to invest in developing new overseas markets and exciting products – indeed, we have two major product launches over the next couple of months, both of which we believe will be world beaters.
 
‘As a UK manufacturing business, Meech has achieved worldwide renown in its field. A vibrant and successful manufacturing base is crucial to the wellbeing of this country both from an economic perspective and from the point of view of giving our children a wide and exciting range of job opportunities. Today’s presentation underlines Meech’s contribution in this regard and it’s an achievement of which we’re all extremely proud.’

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