Shelforce receive royal seal of excellence with King’s Award for Enterprise
Posted on 21/04/2023
Birmingham-based window and door manufacturer Shelforce has been recognised with the highest official UK award for British business, The King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility).
Established in 1965, the awards have propelled UK businesses onto the world stage with an internationally-renowned symbol of excellence. Previously named The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, His Majesty The King has approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation that Shelforce be recognised.
Shelforce employs 30 people, of which 75% have a disability, and provides a place where people with mental or physical disability can thrive in employment and produce high quality products in a competitive market.
The award also comes some 40 years on from The Princess Royal, HRH Princess Anne officially opening its current factory in 1984.
Howard Trotter, the company’s Business Manager, will represent the inspirational Shelforce at a royal reception hosted by His Majesty The King at Buckingham Palace.
“It is an unbelievable honour to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category,” comments Howard. “To be recognised by the highest honour in UK business, renowned across the world is an incredibly proud moment for Shelforce and we are even more honoured that we have been recognised in the first ever King’s Award for Enterprise and in the year of the King’s coronation.
“Promoting opportunity is the reason behind Shelforce’s continued success and this is fantastic recognition for our incredible team and the processes we have in place. It’s also fantastic news for the local community of Erdington.”
Specialising in high-quality PVCu and aluminium products to local authority building projects, including Birmingham City Council, Shelforce’s recent success has been down in no small part to the launch of its fully compliant Fireshel 30-minure fire, smoke and security resistant door.
In the last three years, continued success has included featuring on ITV’s Made In Britain in 2021 to showcase its production processes and its inclusive employment and, in the same year, winning the Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Business of the Year.
“The last few years has led to some wonderful recognition of the business through numerous business awards, but it doesn’t come any bigger than being awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise,” added Howard. “To be able to fly the King's Awards flag and use the emblem is amazing and we are hoping it will help open the door to other councils, whose social values and sense of social responsibility line up with our own.”
For more information, telephone Shelforce on 0121 603 5262 or visit www.shelforce.com.