A MANUFACTURING firm which makes seals for the oil and gas industry has secured its own royal seal of approval.
It was the second time Shand Engineering of Stallingborough received The Queen's Award for Enterprise and International Trade, when The Duke of Kent presented the prestigious glass trophy yesterday.
He said was it was a reward for the "hard work and enterprise" by Shand.
The firm makes seal couplings for the oil and gas industry throughout the world, exporting to the United States, Brazil, Australia, Japan, South Africa and Norway.
Shand designs and manufactures couplings to connect rubber reinforced hose and flexible pipe which is used predominantly for the transportation of oil and gas both offshore and on land.
Plans for a new factory in Brazil, due to open next year, impressed the Duke, who toured the factory.
The firm first won the Royal award in 2009 for its success in international trade, as reported.
Based on Kiln Lane, the manufacturer has doubled its work force to 70 over the past 10 years.
In the same period sales have grown from £2 million a year to over £17 million.
In January 2012, Shand opened its first overseas factory in Houston, Texas, to supply US customers with products manufactured from raw materials and semi-finished components supplied from Stallingborough.
Shand is the largest supplier of couplings for reinforced thermoplastic pipe in the world and count local company Dunlop Oil and Marine, of Grimsby as their most important long-standing customer.
Today, the company exports more than 70 per cent of its products.
Managing director Brian Purchon said: "This growth in export sales led to the company's first Queen's Award in 2009.
"At the time I thought I would never be lucky enough to work for a company that could win the award.
"Winning one such award was very special. To win the award twice and only four years apart makes me immensely proud and grateful to all our employees and local key suppliers who rely on to achieve what we do."
The Duke of Kent, cousin to the Queen, was accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Tony Worth.
They were met by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Toby Dennis, and the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Peggy Elliott, and her consort Steve Elliott.
The Duke of Kent was introduced to Jim Jackson, the firm's longest serving employee, of 42 years. He received a tour of the factory prior to the award presentation.
The Duke said: "The Queen's Award is one of the highest marks of success that a business can achieve. It has come about due to the hard work of the company."
MP Martin Vickers, who was also present, added: "It is a tribute to the management and all the workforce that they have achieved two Queen's Awards in four years."
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