Bristol-based research, design and innovation specialist Kinneir Dufort has today been awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award for enterprise, 2015, in the field of international trade.
Kinneir Dufort, which researches, designs and produces new products for major international firms such as BT, Reckitt Benckiser, 3M and GE Healthcare, received the award in recognition of its huge rise in successful exporting in recent years.
“Receiving an award like this is testament to the fact that we have brought a world-leading team together here in Bristol”
Founded in Bristol in 1977 and with a satellite operation established in Cambridge, Kinneir Dufort has grown alongside the Bristol creative sector. It works with with some of the world’s largest brands and corporations, as well as SMEs and startups.
Jim Orkney, managing director of Kinneir Dufort said: “Receiving an award like this is testament to the fact that we have brought a world-leading team together here in Bristol. Our brilliant designers and thinkers are leading the way in cross-discipline design for sectors as diverse as life-saving medical devices to food and drink, and in the industrial and business to business field, for clients of all sizes.”
Overseas sales for the firm rose 41 per cent in 2012 to £1.6m, and increased again by 95 per cent in 2013.
“We have worked hard over the past decades to build a company that creates items that have a real impact on people’s lives”
Jim adds: “We have worked hard over the past decades to build a company that doesn’t just solve technical problems, or make beautiful objects, but brings both together to create items that have a real impact on people’s lives, and in so doing brings significant business advantages for our clients.”
The firm received official confirmation of its winning status this week. The award itself will be presented to representatives of the company at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in July.
You can see more info on what they do at the Kinneir Dufort website or by following them on Twitter: @KinneirDufort
Are you a startup looking to follow in Kinneir Dufort’s footsteps? You should get involved with Venturefest Bristol & Bath on 9 June. The event lets you show off your product or put it under the noses of potential investors, but hurry, applications close soon!
Shona Wright
Shona covers all things editorial at TechSPARK. She publishes news articles, interviews and features about our fantastic tech and digital ecosystem, working with startups and scaleups to spread the word about the cool things they're up to.
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