Southport-based Lattimer, a precision engineering firm that specialises in the glass industry, has been recognised with a Queen’s Award (in the international trade category).
The company makes complex parts (primarily for manufacturers of glass containers) and exports to more than 56 countries world-wide, with international orders accounting for 96% of its sales.
CEO Stephen Waterhouse said: “It is a huge honour to receive the Queen’s Award. Lattimer has had to evolve and remain resilient since setting up in 1937.
“It took many years to build a reputation as a solid British manufacturer before a major breakthrough occurred in the 1970s, when we helped a local glass container company solve a problem in its production process.
“This innovation was so successful that it inspired Lattimer to develop other products for the world-wide market. We grew to be a world leader, and we have remained at the forefront of the ‘design and build’ of components and assemblies for the glass container industry.
He added: “We have always aimed to develop new and improved manufacturing techniques to stay ahead of competitors, while keeping an eye out for opportunities in other industrial sectors where our expertise is also relevant.
“Today we manufacture more than 20,000 component parts, through a number of different machining processes including milling, turning, mill-turning and grinding.
“As a result, Lattimer is now in a stronger position than ever before in its 80-year history, with growing order books and a world-wide reputation for engineering excellence.”