The companies from Colchester, Clacton, Billericay Southend, Stansted and Wickford were among 27 from the eastern region to win the most prestigious award for UK business, designed to recognise and encourage outstanding achievements.
Winners in the Innovation section were Dura Composites from Clacton, developers of a height-adjustable composite railway station platform and which was also a winner in the 2017 awards, and Optical Metrology Services from Stansted, a Queen's Award for Innovation winner in 2007 and 2014, which developed pipe inspection technology and service.
In the International Trade category, the Essex winners were Direct Meats (Knights Farm) from Colchester, which sells and exports meat to restaurants, hotels and eateries, and Select Offshore from Billericay, which specialises in recruiting personnel for the offshore renewables, oil and gas and maritime industries.
Stockvale Investments of Southend, a family run amusement and theme parks business, were winners in the Promoting Opportunity through social mobility section, with English Tea Shop from Wickford, a winner in the Sustainable Development category, which works directly with organic farmers to alleviate poverty in the tea industry.
Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, Essex Lord-Lieutenant, said: “The Queen’s Award is a royal seal of approval for the UK’s most outstanding businesses.
“They are the most prestigious awards for UK businesses, and it is a proud moment for Essex that six of our exceptional businesses have been recognised in this way.”
Last year Mrs Tolhurst launched an initiative to promote the awards to Essex business. The awards are open to businesses with more than two full-time employees. Most winning companies have fewer than 250 employees.
There are four entry categories: international trade, innovation, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. The award is valid for five years and benefits include national and global recognition, marketing opportunities. added commercial value and increased trade, a boost to staff morale and use of the award emblem on stationery, website and advertising.
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