Congratulations, Accles & Pollock. The Sandwell precision metal tubular assembly business has won the International Trade category in the prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2020.

 

The Oldbury-based firm specialises in high-spec components for aerospace engines, nuclear submarines and land-based power generation. It was established over 100 years ago and acquired by Liberty House (part of the GFG Alliance) in 2015.

 

Now Accles & Pollock has won a Queen’s Award for growth in exports that doubled over two years to £4.7m in 2018/19.

 

This marked increase in exports was a response to key customers, such as Rolls-Royce, extending their manufacturing presence across the globe.

 

More than half of Accles and Pollock’s sales now come from overseas markets spanning Singapore, the USA, Canada, France and Germany.

 

Accles & Pollock, which employs 50 people, is a leading manufacturer of rigid and flexible pipes, aerospace ducts and tube coils for high-integrity applications across the aerospace, medical, nuclear, scientific, and oil and gas sectors.

 

Founded in 1896 by gunsmith James George Accles, the business quickly diversified into general engineering, making its first tubular sections for aircraft in 1907. Over the last century, Accles & Pollock has manufactured a diverse variety of metal alloy products, ranging from golf shafts to tubes for the Large Hadron Collider near Geneva.

 

Phil Begley, managing director of Liberty Tubular Solutions, said: “With the increasing globalisation of aerospace manufacturing, global markets will continue to be a critical source of revenue for Accles & Pollock over the coming years.

 

“We are proud to have a played our part in the 45 per cent growth of overall UK aerospace product exports since 2010 and hope to expand our overseas presence in the future with our own low-cost manufacturing hubs in countries such as India.”

 

Sanjeev Gupta, Chairman of the GFG Alliance, said: “I’m delighted that Accles & Pollock has been recognised in the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise for its success in growing exports over recent years. At the heart of the GFG Alliance’s strategy is the renewal and revival of long-established industrial businesses.

 

“Accles & Pollock’s success is an example of what can be achieved through an injection of dynamism and entrepreneurship. I’m proud that its components can be found in engines around the world.”

 

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility. The application process will  open on Friday 1 May 2020 for 2021 entries: you can find out more at gov.uk.

Here in the West Midlands, the Sandwell Business Ambassadors are encouraging more local businesses to put themselves in the running for a Queen’s Award: see the top five tips from Deputy Lieutenant John Wood.