LTi Metaltech (www.lti-metaltech.com), which makes intricate tubes and vessels used in Siemens MRI scanners, was deemed ‘the Best Research & Development Project’ at the Cotswold Life Engineering, Manufacturing & Innovation Awards 2017, after a year of significant growth for the Abingdon-based company.

Under the leadership of technical director Edgar Rayner (who joined in January), the company has undergone a period of up-skilling and is looking to diversify into markets that include waste heat recovery, maritime, aerospace, transport, renewables, sci-tech and distilleries.

This has led to a partnership with Tokamak Energy, engineering critical parts for the world’s first high-field spherical Tokamak ST40 reactor.

Mr Rayner said: “2017 has been a pivotal year for LTi Metaltech, as it strives to build on the solid foundations it has established and develop relationships with clients who need its expertise in other market sectors.”