Awards for International Trade went to Contra Vision, HH Global and Paragon Inks, while packaging specialist Softbox Systems won an Innovation award.

Stockport-based Contra Vision has grown the export side of its business enormously, with overseas sales now accounting for 80% of sales at the business, which has patented a range of see-through graphics techniques.

The firm’s chairman and managing director Roland Hill said the award was “testament to the hard work and dedication” of the firm’s 11 staff, working with its network of international consultants and distributors.

Print management and marketing services outsourcing specialist HH Global now has a matching pair of Queen’s Awards in its trophy cabinet, having first picked up an International Trade gong five years ago. The Sutton-headquartered firm has expanded its reach into 35 countries via a “sophisticated strategy”. This has mitigated risk by using a combination of approaches depending on the territory, by working with partners, franchising, and direct investment.

Livingston-based ink maker Paragon Inks was lauded for “outstanding” overseas sales growth. The firm specialises in UV inks for the label and flexible packaging market and is now selling its products in 26 markets via a direct sales strategy. The firm take a zealous approach to quality control and consistency, and provides an "it does what it says on the tub" guarantee on its products.

Softbox Systems, based in Aylesbury, picked up its Innovation Award for its temperature controlled passive packaging system. The packaging does not require a power source and is used by the healthcare industry for transporting materials such as vaccines and medicines that have to be kept within a specific temperature range.

A total of 162 awards were made, 110 for international trade, 39 for innovation and 13 for sustainable development.