HH Associates was named alongside ink manufacturer Apollo Colours, UV curing systems developer Integration Technology Ltd (ITL) and electrostatic control systems manufacturer Meech International in the International Trade Winners category.

The four companies all registered impressive overseas growth, with Apollo doubling its export earnings in the past six years and ITL increasing its export sales by nearly 500% over the same period.

Robert Macmillan, chief executive of HH, which won its first ever Queen's Award for Enterprise for increasing overseas earnings by 60% over the last three years, described the award as a "well-deserved accolade".

The award followed HH's recent expansion into Asia and the US. Macmillan said: "Having proven our expertise in the EMEA markets, the natural progression is for HH to work globally."

ITL managing director Adrian Lockwood said: "As a British company, committed to manufacturing in Britain, we have worked tirelessly to bring advanced UV technology to more applications.

"Getting the Queen's Award is a tremendous accolade to the dedicated team behind our consistently strong year-on-year growth."

Meanwhile, UPM Shotton won its award in the Sustainable Development category in recognition of its efforts to progress sustainability "throughout its business operations", through measures such as renewable energy, training opportunities for the homeless and an award-winning apprentice scheme.

Business minister Lord Mandelson said of the award winners: "They have achieved the UK's most prestigious standard of business excellence and set the standard for other businesses to follow as they help lead Britain out of recession."

Other related award winners included engineering business Woollard & Henry, which manufactures dandy rolls for use in paper manufacturing.

This year 194 companies were presented with The Queen's Award for Enterprise – the highest total ever in the 44-year history of the accolade – beating the previous record of 175 in 1990.