Northern Ireland-based Yelo, a manufacturer of test equipment, has won a Queens Award for Enterprise (in the international trade category).

The company has seen its overseas sales grow by 138% over the last three years, with its main export markets being China, Europe and the USA.

Founded in 1983 with two people in a 400ft2 office, it now occupies a brand-new 25,000ft² facility employing 50 people in Carrickfergus.

The company, which is headed by directors Richard Furey, David Sinclair and Lynn Good, serves a range of industry sectors, including photonics, automotive, medical and defence.

Mr Furey said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the company and a great boost for the whole team.

“It is recognition of the world-class engineering that takes place in Northern Ireland.”