Bigneat, winner of a Queen’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year, received the Award from Nigel Atkinson Esq, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire on 16 October at the Bigneat factory in Waterlooville.
The Queen’s Award for International Trade has been given to Bigneat in recognition of its impressive short-term growth in overseas sales over the past three years.
The Lord-Lieutenant carries out duties in the County on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen such as the presentation of decorations and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
The visit of the Lord-Lieutenant enabled him to meet the companies employees who made winning the Queen’s Award possible. He was shown around the offices, the engineering design suite and production area where the manufacture of safety cabinets, hoods and enclosures takes place.
Bigneat equipment is used for protection in laboratories undertaking research, experimentation and measurements in biology, chemistry, drug discovery, education, electronics, food, medical, nanotechnology and includes the Chemcap Clearview range of Chemical Safety Cabinets and Powder Weighing Safety hoods.
Last month George Hollingbery, MP for Meon Valley and Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Ministers Cameron and May, also visited Bigneat’s factory and head office in Waterlooville.
George Hollingbery MP for Meon Valley, meets managing director Robert Monks, David Smith, engineering director, and Josh Pratt who has recently completed an apprenticeship
During his visit Hollingbery was keen to find out what the award means for the team at Bigneat and he spoke with many of the staff.
Robert Monks, managing director explained that everyone could see that the award is a fantastic achievement and recognises their hard work and creativity.
We are delighted to win this award, it raised our company’s profile and it’s instilled a sense of pride and confidence in our employees.
Hollingbery commented about his visit, “It was a pleasure to visit Bigneat and tour the premises, meet staff and managers and talk about the economic climate. It's a tremendous accolade the company has received for exporting its products and contributing to the UK economy and I congratulate them.” “To have such an award-winning company here in Waterlooville is a matter of great pride for me as the local MP and for residents too. Bigneat is just the sort of enterprising and innovative business we must do all we can to nurture and help as we move towards being a major global trading country in the years to come.”
The visit of the Lord-Lieutenant and George Holingbury concludes the visits of dignitaries in what has been an exciting year for Bigneat. The award strengthens Bigneat’s credentials within the international market and helps potential users of Bigneat equipment around the world to appreciate the experience and success of the company.