On Thursday 1st of December, 2016, Walker Filtration was presented with an innovation award at Insider Media’s Made in the North East awards, which celebrates the manufacturing industry in the North East of England.
The accolade comes as icing on the cake for the manufacturer of air filtration products, whose firm North East roots have been recognised time and time again as their global business has grown.
Walker Filtration is currently exporting 88 per cent of their products to over 65 countries. It has also grown turnover by more than £800,000 per year since 2013, with a growth of almost 1 million between 2014 and 2015.
The Made in the North East award reflects their commitment to the local manufacturing industry – but the business has global aspirations. In October 2016, the business welcomed a representative of Her Majesty The Queen, who presented the company with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise, reflective of the global approach the business takes in the export of its products. While this was their first win in the innovation category, Walker Filtration has now been awarded the Queen’s Award five times in their 30 year history – a staggering achievement.
On the presentation of the award, Mrs. Susan Windfield, OBE, gave the engineering business praise for sticking to its origins but achieving worldwide success. She said:
“This is a company established, developed, and based within Tyne and Wear, yet operating and supplying products worldwide, with an international reputation for innovation and excellence. My congratulations to everyone involved at Walker Filtration for this outstanding achievement in winning the Queen's Award for Enterprise for the fifth time.”
Walker Filtration also helped local children in 2016, working alongside the Engineering Development Trust to liaise with Newcastle Royal Grammar School to get students on an Engineering in Education Scheme (EES.) This project was a six-month ‘hands-on’ work experience period to encourage future engineers.
Just as the business has been recognised for its global efforts, it has also been noticed for its commitment to the local community. The company shortlisted for not one, but two local awards at the Insider Media Made in the North East Awards 2016.
Speaking of their place on the awards, Group Managing Director, Lianne Walker MBE, commented:
“Walker Filtration is extremely proud of its North East heritage, and we are passionate about investing manufacturing and engineering in the region. To be shortlisted for the Made in the North East awards, that recognise and celebrate the success of local manufacturing businesses, is an honour.”
With a successful year now drawing to a close, the engineering business sets its sights on 2017. Having already increased their global sales and won both local and national awards, the filtration company is proof that staying local but thinking globally can help your business succeed.