Fort Vale engineers royal recognition with King’s Award win

Fort Vale receives its King’s Award

Global manufacturer Fort Vale Engineering has received a King’s Award — its fifth such award — in a prestigious ceremony attended by a royal representative. The business, based in Simonstone, Burnley, was presented with the King’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales over the last three years by Amanda Parker, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire — King Charles III’s representative in the county.

Over 200 people, including employees and invited guests, gathered at the manufacturer’s premises to witness the presentation. Mrs Parker said: “It is incredibly difficult to win a King’s Award and in Lancashire we had just three winners in 2024. The scrutiny every application goes through is immense. There is something to be said for East Lancashire’s corridor for manufacturing. There are a number of companies — and Fort Vale is at the top — that are in really niche parts of the industry. You are supplying something so specific and this allows Lancashire to be a centre for manufacturing excellence. Congratulations on your first King’s Award.”

The 360-employee business, the world’s leading precision manufacturer of valves and fittings for the tank container, road tanker and rail industries, has previously received four Queen’s Awards for its trading success — the first of which was in 1981. The latest award was given after the business grew overseas sales by 59% over a three-year period, taking total overseas sales to 97% of all sales.

Ian Wilson, managing director of Fort Vale, added: “Our strength is in our team and this award is a testament to their efforts, which is why we made sure as many members of the Fort Vale family could attend this prestigious event.”

Pictured right: Amanda Parker, Catherine Penny and Ian Wilson tour the factory

He continued: “We work closely with customers to ensure we are continually innovating our portfolio of products, identifying new opportunities to add value to our end users, and we have sent our British designed and manufactured products to 69 countries in the last three years.”

The day involved a tour of the factory and facilities, ending in the business’s purpose-built sports hall with a presentation and buffet celebration. Mr Wilson added: “Unlike many companies in Britain today who import goods, increase the price and sell it on, we create value. When you pick up a piece of metal and work on it you add value. This award is not won by any one person. It has been a team effort and this King’s Award is something we should all be very proud of.”

Fort Vale, which has a manufacturing subsidiary in China and warehouse and sales support in the Netherlands, the USA, Singapore and Australia, designs, manufactures and distributes safety equipment for the transportable bulk chemical and food industry, comprising of tank containers, road tankers and rail wagons.

Established in 1967, the business has always focused on apprenticeships. Six were appointed over the summer period to take the total number currently in training to 34. Furthermore, three members of the board of directors began their careers as apprentices.