Aldridge-based Chemique Adhesive & Sealants Ltd has been named as the overall winner of this year’s Made in the Midlands awards.

The company, which manufactures high-performance industrial adhesives and adhesive application equipment, has seen a 47% growth in exports after implementing a strategy to boost its sales in Europe, North America and the Middle East. Staff levels have also increased to keep pace with demand.

Marketing manager Darren Lambert (pictured) said: “We are a mixture of shocked, surprised and delighted. Working for a great manufacturing company and taking our products all over the world from our base here in the Midlands is something that we’re really proud of.”

Made in the Midlands chief operating officer Charles Addison said: “Manufacturers in this region are doing amazing things that they simply regard as a normal day’s work. Their stories demonstrate that we still make things here in the Midlands — and make them better than anybody else.”

The Young Inventor award was won by apprentices Josh Watson from Faurecia and Sam Parke from Neida Products, who worked together at In-Comm Training to develop an interlocking tool divider.

The runner-up was George Starkey from the Black Country UTC; his work experience with F1 team Red Bull saw him develop designs for a new wheel nut that will speed up change-over times and increase safety.