Environmental Street Furniture (ESF) are delighted to have been recognised for our contribution to international trade through the Queen’s Award in 2021. This has been a challenging year for all business, and to have this award presented to our family owned business is testament to the amazing and diligent team we have. We look forward to continued export development and representing all that is best in British business while championing our Queens Award.
Why did you apply & Why you won the award
When we established the company in 2012 I was keen to grow our export sales as I knew there were incredible opportunities around the globe, with some of the biggest names in the attractions and theme parks sector based in the Middle and Far East and the USA. Whilst it has been hard work juggling time zones and red eye flights, we have found growing our global market a really enjoyable experience. We've enjoyed great successes securing contracts with, for example, Warner Bros and Disneyland Hong Kong, and so it seemed a fitting time to apply for the most prestigious awards in the country to celebrate that 78% of our sales are to over 26 countries.
What the award will mean to your business
As a small family-owned business, we have found that it can be a challenge to increase our global profile to compete with larger businesses and we believed that the Queens award could help us achieve this. Winning this award gives us real credibility and positions us with the exporting elite. We will ensure that the Queens award is showcased on all our future presentation and exhibitions overseas to gain maximum benefit from it. Even in the short period of time since winning the award, the coverage we have secured has been amazing and we look forward to building on this in the coming years.
Potential benefits and boost to staff morale
Winning awards is always a fantastic boost to the staff and supply chain, as it shows that we are doing something right. It's all too easy to get lost in the day-to-day work and forget that what we are achieving and creating is actually making a difference. The Queens award is a direct result of the hard work and diligence on our entire team of staff, support workers and supply chain ensuring seamless and expert service is provided to all our export customers for all our products. Taking time aside to celebrate this is very important and good for staff morale and, after the tough year that it has been for everyone, it was great to see their genuine delight when we broke the news to them.
Any top tips for future applicants
At first applying for the awards seemed like a daunting task and there were a number of times I wasn't going to apply but I stuck at it and gave it a go. I would encourage any business, large or small, who is achieving global sales success to apply as these awards are recognised as the top standard around the world. So my top tip is, it may seem a long process but only the best will win so if you believe that you can do it, then stick at it and get applying!
Find out more about ESF on their website: https://www.worldofesf.com/about
Or apply for the next round of Queen's Awards here: https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise
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