AN engineering company has received its Queen’s Award for Enterprise after winning the honour last year.

Wirth Research Limited, based in Bicester, was given the sustainable development award for its work making vehicles and buildings more energy efficient.  

On Monday, May 15, the Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire attended as a representative of the King to present the company with the award.

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The award, in its 65th year, is now known as The King's Awards for Enterprise and awards British businesses and other organizations who excel at international trade, innovation, sustainable development or promoting opportunity.

This means the company received one of the final Queen's Award for Enterprise that have been handed out to businesses.

Engineering director, Rob Rowsell, said: “I think I speak for the entire team when I say we’re proud of our achievements.

“This award is a testament to the tireless efforts of our dedicated team who have worked relentlessly to develop cutting-edge solutions that reduce our ecological footprint whilst driving technological advancement."

Nick Wirth, president and technical director, said: “We’re proud to be honoured with one of the most prestigious awards for UK businesses in a category we feel deeply passionate about.

 “Our entry covered all aspects of our business: our unique Net Zero CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) capability, EcoBlade, AirDoor, Low Carbon Store Modelling, Low Carbon Food Manufacturing Solutions, Wind Services, Commercial Vehicle Aerokits, Natural Ventilation, and our Eco Business Centre location.

“This award is testament to the collective efforts of our entire team, and indeed, those of our customers and supplier partners.

“We know there’s more to be done, and have new innovations in development that we look forward to deploying in the future and helping our customers meet their net zero targets.”

The company, founded by motorsport designer Mr Wirth, has designed products such as the EcoBlade, a twin-bladed strip fitted to the front of fridge shelves, which reduces cold air being lost into the aisles, and AirDoor, a mechatronic archway situated at a building’s entrance, which uses targeted airflow to improve internal comfort and improves the building’s energy efficiency.

Winning businesses are able to use the esteemed awards emblem for the next five years.

The winners pass an assessment process, judged by senior officials in Whitehall and experts from industry, academia and the third sector.

On that basis, the winners are recommended by the Prime Minister to the monarch.

The awarding body stated: “The company has been on a journey from pinnacle motorsport design to using their expertise in aerodynamics and computer modelling to design sustainable solutions for problems in different sectors for instance their products are extensively used to save energy in supermarket fridges.

“Wirth is awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development because it is an innovative and exemplary company that has used its modelling and aerodynamic skills acquired through the motor racing industry to transition to providing energy solutions in a range of diverse industries.

“It has demonstrated leadership both within and outside the company and has had a major positive impact.”