London-based Coltraco Ultrasonics, which serves the maritime, offshore, energy and engineering sectors, has won a Queen’s Award for the outstanding growth in its overseas sales during the last six years.

The company (www.coltraco.com) delivers safety for life, assets and infrastructure on land and at sea through its Safesite and Safeship concepts.

Its aim is to become “an ideas factory” in ultrasonics, building on its current expertise in liquid level indication, seal integrity and condition monitoring, plus its background in fire safety and watertight/ compartment integrity.

The company derives 89% of its income from overseas customers — in 110 countries.

They are supported by a global network of strategic partners and service stations.

CEO Carl Hunter said: “Winning the Queen’s Award is a landmark achievement for the company.

“We have had an extraordinary journey since my father invented the world’s first portable ultrasonic liquid level indicator — known as Portalevel — and then the world’s first ultrasonic watertight integrity monitoring equipment — called Portascanner.

“Today, we manufacture over 20 product systems and software, and we are world leaders in our field.”