JD Hughes Group Plc

Whitefield Road Bredbury SK6 2SS

2009 IIP Gold Award holder JD Hughes Group Plc. was establishedin 1968 and for the last 40 years has been aleading specialistmanufacturer of emergency safety showers and decontamination equipment throughout Europe. The company has achievedoverseas earnings growth of 205% over the last six years as aresult of its commitment to innovating to maximise the potential of its overseas markets. JD Hughes has developed arange of export showers based on amodular construction so that they can be dismantled and shippedin conveniently sized sections and then re-assembled on site to minimise transportation costs.

Furthermore as they have expanded into more overseas markets, JD Hughes has developed arange of products to suit extremeclimatic conditions. International sales officesin Germany, United Arab Emirates and North America, supported by anetwork of distributors have contributed significantly to continued international sales growth.

Langtec Limited

1 Calder Court

BB5 5YB

Establishedin 1940, Langtec Limited

manufactures insulating productsin tubular form. With exports which are almost doublethose of the industry sector averages, they have achieved overseas earnings growth of over 66% over the last three years and haveincreased their workforce by 40%. The company exports to 20 markets, having entered anumber of new marketsin the last threeyears: Brazil, Hungary, China and New Zealand. Langtec’s export strategy is based on increasing sales of high quality, high valueproducts primarilyin niche markets and identifying and highlighting weaknesses of local overseas suppliers and promoting goodsand services to fill those gaps.

Laser Quantum Ltd

Unit C4 Emery Court

Heaton Mersey SK4 3GL

Foundedin 1994 and basedin Stockport, Laser Quantum Ltdhas won aQueen’s Award for International trade for outstandingperformance over the last three years. Export sales accounted for ahigh proportion of turnover and showed overseas earningsgrowth of 190%. The company is aglobally recognised manufacturer of laser technology providing equipment and services to theaerospace, medicine, research and biomedical sectors. The company has researched the needs of their customers and markets,and diversified its strategy establishing astrong commitment to develop new products that address growth markets, focussing

UK based R&D resources on increasing penetration into existing markets and expanding export coverage into new territories.

The company is combining technology and commercein awinning package with officesin three different countries plus welltrained and supported distributorsin 36 others.

http://www.**ghes-safety-showers.co.uk

Managing Director: Mr Anthony Hughes

Contactf or Press Enquiries: John Jones

Tel: 01617 613***

Email: john**[ta]**ommunications.co.uk

http://www.**ngtec.co.uk

Immediate Parent: Langtec Holdings Ltd

Managing Director: Mr Andrew Turner

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Andrew M Turner

Tel: 01282 772***

Email: andrew**[ta]**tec.co.uk

http://www.**serquantum.com

Managing Director: Dr L Gloster

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr aWells

Tel: 01619 755***

Email: awells**[ta]**rquantum.com

M Chapman & Sons Textiles Ltd t/a Brisbane Moss

Bridgeroyd worksOL14 6DF

Establishedin 1982, M Chapman & Sons Textiles Ltd t/a Brisbane Moss is aproducer and stockist of moleskin and corduroy. alsosupplying velvet and aselection of cottons, their overseas sales represent over 60% of its turnover and they have entered anumber of new marketsin the last three years including China (a significant achievementf or aUK textile manufacturer), Chile, Columbia,Argentina and Australia. The company now operatingin 16 markets, trades on its name and pedigree, promoting and protecting itsheritage mark,in order to maintain its competitive advantage. This is done through anetwork of well supported agents and mostrecently through the development of an online business which is opening up opportunities and consolidating business.

19 Montford StreetEstablishedin 1988 Mettler Toledo Safeline Ltd

manufactures highly sensitive metal detectors which are used by leading food,beverage and pharmaceutical companies to protect consumers from the risk of metallic contaminationin their products. It hasa comprehensive business strategy and exports more than 95% of its total volume. The majority is traded through an extensivenetwork of sales and service operations owned by them but with strong partnerships with distributors and OEMs elsewhere. Thebusiness development strategy has 3 main elements; providing customer service to support customer retention, highly targetedmarketing and sales activities to attract and win new customers, innovationin products, services and channels to increase marketcoverage. Although aglobal company, it provides regional solutions to match local market requirements. As aresult of Thissuccessful formula, they have aleading global market share.

Morson Projects Limited

Adamson House

2 Centenary Way M50 1RD

Morson Projects Ltdhas won aQueen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding achievement over the last three years.

Basedin Manchester, they are aleading global provider of technology-driven engineering from concept design to total projectimplementation. Key sectors are aerospace, nuclear, general engineering, and automotive. Formedin 1979, the company has won

contracts on several high profile aerospace projects doubling turnover, increasing export sales and achieving overseas earningsgrowth of just under 1000%. The company will typically install Joint Development Teams directly onto the client premises

irrespective of global location. This helps build arelationship with the client, develop confidence, and expands Morson’s credibility.

They have now established themselvesin six new markets, Canada, Germany, France, USA, Italy, and Spain.

http://www.**isbanemoss.co.uk

Managing Director: Mr Ian Darrah

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mrs Janet Horsley

Tel: 01706 815***

Email: janethorsley**[ta]**banemoss.co.uk

http://www.**.com/metaldetection

Immediate Parent: Mettler Toledo UK Holdings Ltd

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Alan Purvis

Tel: 01618 751***

Email: alan.purvis**[ta]**om

http://www.**rson.com

Immediate Parent: Morson Group PLC

CEO: Mr Ged Mason

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Andy Hassall

Tel: 01617 071***

Email: andy.hassall**[ta]**on-projects.co.uk

Nichols plc Laurel House, Ashton Road Newton-Le-Willows

WA12 0HH Nichols plc is an international soft drinks business which first exported its flagship Vimto Brandin the early 1920’s. Vimto nowenjoys strong market positionsin the Middle East, Africa and agrowing presencein Europe and the Americas. The company’s international success is driven by an effective export strategy linked to working with carefully selected licensed partners to facilitatelocal markets. The unique Vimto flavour is deliveredin recipes and packaging formats optimised for local consumers and marke***

This willingness to adapt has been fundamental to the company’s success. Nichols plc wins the award for the first time for itsoutstanding achievementin exports, penetrating an additional 18 marketsin the three year period of the award, delivering a63%increasein turnover and asimilar growthin profits within its international operations.

Oerlikon Fibrevision Ltd

Lyme House Heather Close

Lyme Green Business ParkMacclesfield

SK11 0LR

Exporting 100% of sales, Oerlikon Fibrevision Ltdhas achieved a3 fold increasein turnoverin the last 3 years contributing to overseas earnings growth of 246%. Establishedin 1998, and becoming asubsidiary of Swiss based Oerlikonin 2008, thecompany is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors and monitoring equipmentf or the synthetic fibre industry.

The company has established marketsin the Far East, India, Brazil and Europe with UK based sales staff making extensive use of overseas sales representatives for their local knowledge and contacts. Installation and technical support is provided by UK basedengineers as well as trained local staffin major markets. Manufacturingin the UK, the company has driven down costs usinginnovative design without sacrificing quality and competes effectively with low cost producersin India and China enabling thecompany to flourish.

Oliver Valvetek Limited

Haig Road Parkgate Industrial Estate WA16 8DX

Establishedin 1994, Oliver Valvetek Limiteddesigns, manufactures and delivers high-pressure valves that work beneath thesea. These valves are of the oil and gas industries’ highest performance types as they have to work unmaintained for 25 years,sometimes at depths of 10,000ft , where the water pressure on valves could be 4.5 tonnes per square inch. The company winsthe Award for the first time, for its outstanding achievementsin export sales growth, which has beenin excess of 20% year onyear over the last three years. The company operatesin 50 countries worldwide, with the approval of most of the leading oil andgas companies.

http://www.**cholsplc.co.uk

CEO: Mr Brendan Hynes

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Matthew Nichols

Tel: 01925 294***

Email: matthewnichols**[ta]**ointernational.com

http://www.**brevision.co.uk

Immediate Parent: Oerlikon - Switzerland

Managing Director: Mr Malcolm Hinchliffe

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Malcolm Hinchliffe

Tel: 01625 425***

Email: mgh**[ta]**evision.co.uk

http://www.**lves.co.uk

Managing Director: Mr David Cornwell

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Sharon Inch

Tel: 01565 632***

Email: sinch**[ta]**es.co.uk

Regatta Ltd

incorporatedin 1972 manufactures and sells outdoor clothing, footwear and accessories under the Regatta brandalong with snow and winter sport clothing under the Dare2b brand. It wins the Award for the first time for its continuousimprovementin export sales growth. The company has implemented an ambitious sales expansion strategy which is seen to havedelivered positive results, growing salesin acontinuous manner resultingin some 152% growth over six years. The company is alsorecognised for its investmentin its staff.

The Clinical Trial Company Ltd

Mere View Barn Park Lane

Pickmere

WA16 0LGthe Clinical Trial Company Ltd

basedin Cheshire and establishedin 2002 (celebrating its 10th anniversary this year) has wona Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding achievement over the last three years. Exports accounted for 80% of turnover and there has been impressive overseas earnings growth of 193%. The company provides clinical contract research

services to the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical device industries and is expertin advanced products areas such as cell andgene therapies. They have some of the largest pharmaceutical companiesin the world as clients but also able to provide atailored

drug development service to smaller companies bringing new drug and device products to market. There has been significant

expansion of salesin the Netherlands and USA with new sales to Finland and Italy. The company has established officesin Canada,Germany and Australia adding experienced staff able to provide highly specialised technical support.

Employees:***

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Gill Russell

Tel: 01617 491***

http://www.**eclinicaltrialcompany.com

Director: Mr Ewan Campbell

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Ewan Campbell

Tel: 01565 733***

Email: ewan_campbell**[ta]**linicaltrialcompany.com

NORTH WEST INNOVATION

Hurst Green Plastics Ltd

Bowland Housethe Sidings

Whalley Clitheroe

BB7 9SE

Hurst Green Plastics Ltd

wins an Innovation Award for the continuous development of it’s internationally successful range of lineside inventory management systems that underpin production line inventory. The original TwinBin concept, being atwochambercontainer that always carries areserve stock to prevent stockouts, was improved with avisual flag that automatically raises to signal are-stock is required, and then confirmed. RFID chips were incorporated to trigger automatic stock updates.

Extending dispenser sizes and introducing the innovative TripFlag increased applicability to allow inventory control of virtually any size of component including sub-assemblies. Finally, new kitting concepts complete the range of solutions. Benefits include atypical 85% reduction of stocks held, traceability of all parts issued, elimination of stockouts and stock contamination.

The company currently supplies to over 30 countries including aerospace, railway groups, manufacturing and hospitals.an Innovation Award is made to the company ICC Solutions Limited

for continuously developing software-based test tools thatcertify Chip and PIN transactions. The tools, having the shape and size of bank cards and incorporating the capability of personalcomputers, are inserted into the Chip and PIN reader machines being tested to gather test information from the machines.on completion of tests, information can be up-loaded within about asecond. The tools have enabled quicker, more user-friendly,cheaper and more reliable testing to be undertaken, compared with previous processes involving probes connected to personalcomputers. The tools are used world-wide by major banks and their providers. The innovations have provided outstandingcommercial success for the business. It also wins the Award for International Trade.

Intetech Ltd

Salmon Court

Rowton

CH3 6AT

Intetech Ltd

wins an Innovation Award for the design and development of aweb-based software product called the Intetech WellIntegrity Toolkit (iWIT). The product interfaces with third-party databases and uses the raw data to evaluate the condition of oil,gas and other types of wells. It enables the tracking of the integrity of the wellsin real-time, highlighting issues immediately at awell, field and company level through web interfaces and emails. The data analysis generates, for example, information oncorrosion damage, critical safe operating limits for the wells and equipment reliability analysis. The new product aids companies to satisfy regulations, plan test schedules, identify potential well problems proactively and plan repair requirements. Thus, it raisesproductivity, reduces risks of accidents and lowers adverse environmental impact. The product has been commercially successful,sold to operators internationally and presently manages more than 8000 wells worldwi***

http://www.**inbin.com

Managing Director: Mr Stephen Clarke

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Stephen Clarke

Tel: 07785 254***

Email: info**[ta]**tgreenplastics.com

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr David Maisey

http://www.**tetech.com

Director (and Founder): Dr Liane Smith

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Dr Liane Smith

Tel: 01244 336***

Email: liane**[ta]**tech.com

Niche Products Ltd

Walter Leigh Way Moss Industrial Estate WN7 3PT

North West based Niche Products Ltd.

providers of hydraulic fluids to the subsea sector of the global offshore market, wins theQueens Award for Innovation. From its launch 10 years ago, the company has successfully met the on-going challenges presentedby the offshore industry to develop new products that meet the most stringent environmental legislation for operatingin UK andNorwegian water. The target was to develop arange of superior hydraulic fluids with the highest environmental profile possible

whilst providing maximum technical performance. Niche was not only successfulin this quest but their technology raised thebar for the whole industry and one specific innovationin particular is the only product capable of being discharged into the mostecologically sensitive areas of the world. The company continues to invest heavilyin R&D to maintain their position as innovators

within the industry.

Tenmat Limited Ashburton-Road-West Tenmat Limited

wins an Innovation Award for the development of arange of products which prevent the spread of fire throughbuilding service and wall cavity openings. Many of the FIREFLY products utilise intumescent materials, which, when exposed to heat, undergo an aggressive expansion reaction to form afire resistant char seal. The first product type addresses hazardsassociated with fire spreading within wall cavities. The second is acover for recessed downlights, which need protection especially when usedin conjunction with loft insulation. The third is asleeve for plastic pipework and ventilation ducting.in the event of afire,the sleeve crushes the pipework and creates afire resistant barrier. The products, which meet stringent national and internationalperformance standards, have underpinned business success. The FIREFLY fire protection range is one of the compositeengineering materials produced by the company.

http://www.**bseafluids.co.uk

Managing Director: Mr Tom McKechnie

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Emma Hyett

Tel: 08452 967***

Email: emma**[ta]**eafluids.com

Employees:***

Immediate Parent: Modular Stock Limited

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Anthony Moore

Tel: 01618 722***

Email: Tony.Moore**[ta]**at.com

NORTH WEST SUSTAINABLE

developmentCo-operative Group Limited

New Century House Corporation StreetM60 4ESa Sustainable Development Award is made to the Co-operative Group, whose business includes food retail, banking,insurance, funeral care, pharmacy and farming. Having won the Award previously, this recognises recent advances. Being thefirstin its sector to champion the fairtrade concept, The Co-operative also operates aResponsible Fish Sourcing Policy anda customer-led Bank Ethical Policy and has adapted its farm-lands to support endangered species. The business iscommitted to the use, and promotion, of renewable energy, and has investedin lowering energy consumption. Since 2007,it has reduced waste by 26%, green-house gas emissions by 35% and refrigerant gas leaks by 58%. With its uniquedemocratic structure, it factored sustainability performance into remuneration packages and pursued robust systems fo rgovernance, risk management and internal control. Also, it provides work placements for individuals with learning disabilities.

http://www.**-operative.co.uk

Employees: 10***

Sustainability Reporting Manager: Mr Paul Monaghan

Contactf or Press Enquiries: Mr Dave Smith

Tel: Public Relations Manager

Email: dave.smith**[ta]**perative.coop

Mr. Steve Hoyle