Two successful companies based in Coastal West Sussex are celebrating after winning prestigious Queen’s Awards. On 21st April 2014 Worthing-based Electronic Temperature Instruments received the Queen’s International Trade Award and Checkatrade.com in Selsey won the Award for Innovation. They join more than 100 other UK businesses who have won Queen’s Awards for their outstanding achievements in enterprise.

It is the second time that Electronic Temperature Instruments has received a Queen’s Award, having been honoured with the Award for International Exports in 2012. The company is the UK leader in electronic thermometers and exports worldwide. Meanwhile, it was the first win for Checkatrade.com, a trade vetting service which boasts a turnover in excess of £9.2m.

Managing Director of Electronic Temperature Instruments, Peter Webb said: “Receiving a Queen’s Award for a second time is a fantastic achievement for the company. By keeping our manufacturing and research and development in the UK we have been able to support our local economy whilst successfully growing the business.”

Managing director of Checkatrade.com, Kevin Byrne added: “When I started Checkatrade.com in my garden shed I never imagined I’d be accepting the Queen’s Award. I am deeply honoured and can’t wait to meet Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace. Nowadays review sites are everywhere, but in Checkatrade.com’s beginning, 15 years ago, the internet was new and there were none that I know of. To be recognised by royalty feels incredible. I can’t begin to explain how much this means to me and my team.”

The announcement of this year’s winners coincides with the launch of the 50th anniversary awards for 2015.  If you would like to nominate your company for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise simply visit https://queensawards.bis.gov.uk/ for further information.