GJD wins prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise

GJD Manufacturing Limited has been awarded the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade, the UK’s highest accolade for international business success.

The Heywood-based business is one of the leading manufacturers and designers of electronic perimeter detection equipment and high performance LED illumination. Their security solutions rapidly identify genuine alerts, minimise nuisance alarm signals and optimise the callout of responders − making GJD products a truly valuable asset to people and properties across the world.

Her Majesty the Queen has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation for GJD to be honoured with this award owing to the company’s significant growth and success in export trade over the past six years.

Mark Tibbenham, Managing Director of GJD said: “This is a fantastic achievement for everyone at GJD, especially in this historic year as Her Majesty The Queen celebrates the sapphire anniversary of her reign. We feel very humbled and immensely proud to have won a Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade.”

The business has worked with the Department of International Trade for over a decade. Last September GJD secured a £66,700 grant from the GM Export Fund.

Most recently, innovation specialists from the Hub have provided bespoke support for the business around the development of new-to-market products. This included the recommendation that a Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University would help develop technology for their laser security range.

Furthermore, the business was introduced to Innovate UK, one of the Hub’s principal partners, who invited the business to enrol on their ‘Innovate to Succeed’ programme for managing innovation within business. This includes an IP Audit worth £3,000 and other strategic exercises.

Last year, the business was one of 10 local businesses shortlisted for the 2016 Venturefest Manchester Innovation Showcase competition.

Mark Tibbenham added: “GJD has gone from strength to strength. We have been quick to recognise the changing needs of the market and the importance of the latest technologies to meet those needs.

“The support we have received from the Business Growth Hub and their partners has opened new doors for GJD and been the catalyst for further growth.”

Yvonne Grady, innovation team leader at the Hub, said: “It’s been a pleasure working closely with GJD over recent years and I’m delighted to see the results of their investment in innovation and product development being recognised with the Queen's Award for Enterprise.

“We look forward to developing further long term collaborations and access to specialist knowledge via our university base to deliver further business growth.”

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