STAFF at one of Malvern's major companies have this week been celebrating winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for the second year running.

Malvern Instruments won the award last year for innovation. This year it brought the prize home in the category of international trade.

This year's win is all the more noteworthy because it is the seventh time in the company's 40-year history that Malvern Instruments has been recognised in the Queen’s Awards.

“I don’t normally boast about our successes, but this really is an achievement that should make everyone at Malvern Instruments proud,” said managing director Paul Walker. “Two Queen’s Awards in two successive years, at a time of considerable economic uncertainty, should see every member of our teams giving themselves a pat on the back.”

Malvern Instruments designs and makes scientific instruments to measure the physical and chemical properties of materials. Scientists, technologists and engineers use them to gain a detailed understanding of their materials and processes, to guide product development, manage and control manufacturing quality, and optimise output.

Mr Walker said: "For many years we have exported more than 90 percent of our production, so developing effective routes to market has been critically important in extending our ability to serve and support our customers.

“We now have direct operations in all key markets and strong partnerships with exclusive distributors elsewhere. Our close working relationships in all areas ensure that the customer experience is consistent the world over.

"Added to this, our investment in web-based delivery of information and support provides universal access to the wealth of experience and expertise that resides within Malvern’s global organisation.”

Malvern Instruments employs around 200 people in the UK and 600 worldwide.