| I am delighted to be here today to offer my
congratulations to the entire workforce of AMEC Group Limited in
successfully achieving The Queen's Award for Enterprise 2003 in the
International Trade category.
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious corporate
awards in the UK, and they recognise and reward outstanding achievement
by UK companies. The currency of a Queen's Award lasts for five years
and reflects the fact that the Award success was a team effort.
Therefore, you can take enormous pride and satisfaction in the personal
contribution that you have each made to this worthy success.
However, a Queen's Award is more than just a prestigious honour - it
also brings genuine business benefits to winning companies. The Queen's
Award Emblem is internationally recognised. The Emblem can be used on
advertising, corporate stationery, sales literature and products.
I am told that the Award can help to generate a great deal of
national, regional and trade press publicity, and it can give a company
a real competitive edge in opening doors and attracting new business.
Earlier this year The Queen's Awards Office conducted some market
research about the tangible benefits of the Awards. The statistics speak
for themselves.
Of the winning companies surveyed 80% reported that winning a Queen's
Award produced a significant boost to staff morale whilst 65% felt they
had benefited from positive press coverage. 55% have gained increased
recognition in the UK, and 45% found the Award raised their profile
overseas.
This new research clearly demonstrates the continuing value of a
Queen's Award for Enterprise.
I very much hope that AMEC Group Limited will find it equally
beneficial to have received such a prestigious accolade. Our economic
progress as a nation depends on the performance of companies such as
AMEC and I wish you continued success for the future.
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