The Torquay facility of Somerset-based Gooch & Housego (G&H) (www.goochandhousego.com) has won a new national award that recognises how the staff and management have worked together to grow the business.

The Sharing in Growth Integrity trophy was presented in front of representatives of G&H’s 180-strong Torquay workforce, who were praised for their skills and commitment by Graham Catley, head of manufacturing for fibre optics. G&H’s business development strategy led to annual turnover improving from £17.5 million to £20 million in the last year and the creation of 30 new jobs. The Torquay site is on schedule to double its revenue by 2020.

Andy Page — CEO of Sharing in Growth, the Government-backed programme designed by industry to raise the competitiveness of the UK aerospace supply chain — said: “We recognise that you have restructured your organisation and aligned all goals and targets to your strategy, reduced lead time in focus areas and improved your on-time delivery.

“You have fully embraced the Sharing in Growth programme and, through strong engagement with your people, you have generated significant productivity improvements and created an environment for team success.”

G&H designs, engineers and manufactures advanced photonic systems, components and instrumentation for applications in the aerospace, defence, industrial systems, optical communications, life sciences and scientific research sectors.

Mr Catley said: “The Sharing in Growth programme has helped to trigger business transformation in a relatively short period.

"The most rewarding aspect has been how everyone here in Torquay has embraced change, made Sharing in Growth the day job and been proud to demonstrate the new skills and improvements they have implemented.”