The Leeds-headquartered luxury bed manufacturer Harrison Spinks has again been recognised in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, one of the most prestigious business awards in the UK, with the Yorkshire company being the only one in the region to receive two awards this year and one of just eight nationally.

The family business, which grows its mattress fillings on a farm in Yorkshire and employs 300 people, was recognised for its development of novel manufacturing processes for sprung mattresses, winning a Queen’s Award for Innovation. It also received a second accolade in the 2018 awards, being given an international trade award. The British brand now sells to 50 countries around the world with exports accounting for almost 25% of its sales.

The company had previously been awarded a Queen’s Award for Innovation and Sustainability in 2013 and believes it is the only bedmaker to have received two Queen’s Awards on two separate occasions.

Established in 1965, the awards, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise celebrate companies across the UK which are considered to be among the best Britain has to offer with recipients able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

Simon Spinks, managing director of Harrison Spinks, said: “To be granted two more Queen’s Awards is a huge honour. Since the company was established in 1840, we have always strived to innovate and go about our business in a different way, from creating new ways to manufacture springs to cultivating our farm to grow our own natural fillings.

“We’re delighted to be recognised for our successes here and overseas by the most prestigious enterprise awards in the UK.”

Another Leeds-based firm, medical technology manufacturer Brandon Medical also received a Queen’s Award for International Trade this year, having won the Innovation Award in 2011. The company makes a range of high tech medical installations for operating theatres and critical care in hospitals throughout the world. Its recent international work includes projects in Vietnam, Malaysia, Australia and Dubai. Brandon Medical said it plans to continue to expand its operations across its trading markets.

In the region, there were 15 winners of the international trade award this year. Research by the University of Strathclyde, shows that from 2012 to 2015, 73% of international trade award winners directly attribute their increased international sales to winning a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.