Servomex has today been named a winner of a Queen’s Award for International Trade for its Hummingbird gas sensors used in medical and industrial systems.
The award is conferred on UK businesses in recognition of their outstanding achievements in International Trade.
Hummingbird sensors are found in hundreds of applications requiring accurate, stable and reliable gas measurements.
Sensor manufacturing takes place at their state-of-the-art UK Technical Centre in Sybron Way.
Over 200 businesses across a range of sectors have been recognised by Her Majesty on her 96th birthday. This year marks The Queen’s 70th anniversary as monarch. Servomex is also celebrating their 70th anniversary.
There are four categories of Queen’s Awards for Enterprise – International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity.
In the South East, 30 firms won awards – 16 for International Trade, five for Innovation, six for Sustainable Development and three for Promoting Opportunity.
Servomex previously won a Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2016 for the development of a small, vibration-resistant sensor designed for medical critical care applications (more here).
This accolade has been awarded to Hummingbird as it has demonstrated significant growth in international trade over the past six years. Part of this growth is attributed to the ways in which Hummingbird responded to the Covid-19 pandemic in order to meet a surge in demand for its sensors as the global need for medical equipment reached an all-time high.
When the pandemic broke out, methods were developed to increase productivity in order to meet heavy demand in the healthcare market as the global need for critical care ventilators soared. The team effectively implemented a three-year development program over the course of 14 weeks, introducing stringent hygiene measures on-site and a seven-day-a-week shift system to allow better social distancing.
Andy Cowan, President of parent company Servomex, said:
We are incredibly proud to know that Hummingbird products and services have had – and continue to have – a positive impact on society and technological progress, benefitting the environment, healthcare and quality of life globally. This is an incredible achievement and I want to thank everyone involved for their dedication during what was a very challenging time for so many.
We’re seen by our customers as a global business operating with a local level of service and support, and it’s this that has driven our outstanding growth. This approach also paid dividends during the recent pandemic and the increased demand for critical care medical devices. Existing and new customers around the world turned to us to meet the requirements for increased supply, something that was facilitated by our existing export network and ongoing partnerships.
Andy Cowan, President of Servomex
Hummingbird Sensing Technology was launched in 2011, manufacturing gas sensors for medical and industrial applications such as critical care ventilators.
Since its formation, Hummingbird has developed world-leading technologies that redefine gas sensor performance. Customers include major producers of equipment such as critical care medical devices, gas analysers for industrial applications, research instruments and deep-sea diving analysis.
Small Business Minister Paul Scully said:
This country is renowned for its entrepreneurial achievements and there is no greater showcase for it than The Queen’s Awards. It’s vital we celebrate the success of our businesses and recognise the contributions they make to communities across the country.
I congratulate this year’s winners for their hard work and commitment over the last year and I wish them every success for the future.
Small Business Minister Paul Scully
Winners’ awards are valid for 5 years. Winners are permitted to fly The Queen’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on their marketing materials. Winners are also given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy.
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year.
Among the other winners is World of Books, based in West Sussex. World of Books is an online book retailer with a focus on technology and sustainability. It sells over 12 million used books per year to customers in over 175 countries, and 4,400 UK charity shops are supported through the purchase of surplus stock. The company has been awarded for both International Trade and Sustainable Development.
