STAFF at a Swindon business received the highest of accolades for their work in international trade and the multi-million pound growth of their company.

Clarendon Specialty Fasteners has been recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise crystal and scroll which the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton presented to employees.

Managing director John Hunt said: “It has been a pleasure and honour to celebrate the company’s outstanding achievement along with our employees and the Lord Lieutenant at a special Queen’s Award presentation.

“It serves as a testament to all employees. Without their sheer determination and hard work, we would not be in this position today.”

The Great Western Way-based company supplies fasteners, components and other hardware for the aerospace, defence, industrial and motorsport industries.

Initially specialising in the distribution of aerospace hardware for Formula 1, Clarendon soon became a market leader for the supply of fasteners for use in niche and specialist applications. This includes slides, couplings and commercial fasteners – small but important nails and screws which holds metal machinery together at high speeds.

The company is one of just seven businesses in Wiltshire to be honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The company has been recognised for its excellence in international trade and short-term growth

Sales director Paul Sanders said: “This award comes at an exciting time for Clarendon as we extend our global footprint into new markets and is the UK’s highest accolade for business.”

Clarendon achieved rapid growth in overseas sales over the last few years, with export sales increasing from £3.6 million in 2016 to £6.4 million in 2017 and £8.6 million in 2018. This represented a total increase of 140 per cent over the three-year cycle. Its top five export markets are Italy, France, Germany, South Africa and Thailand.

Clarendon is working on establishing physical bases in Germany, Thailand and the USA to further develop strong relationships with customers in these areas.