A Hexham company’s innovative approach to solving tough engineering problems has received high praise from the Duchess of Northumberland.
The Duchess was on hand to officially present a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation to RED Engineering, whose expertise in developing, building and testing highly specialised equipment for the offshore sector helped to secure the coveted accolade.
The Queen’s Award is one of the highest honours that can be bestowed on a UK-based company and is given annually to those who have realised outstanding success and achievement.
The Burn Lane-based firm provides consultancy, bespoke equipment and testing services for companies in the offshore oil and gas, renewables and nuclear decommissioning sectors.
A high-tech clamp designed for the world’s deepest underwater oil well was among the work singled out in the award’s citation, showcasing the speed and originality the company brings to meeting the needs of customers.
Joined by Bob Biggs, deputy clerk to the Northumberland Lieutenancy, and Janette Milburn, practice/lieutenancy officer from legal services at County Hall, Morpeth, the Duchess presented a commemorative crystal bowl to RED Engineering’s directors Joe Orrell, Richard Kent and Toby Bailey.
She then took the opportunity to tour RED’s offices before talking to some of the staff involved in the ground-breaking projects undertaken for TechnipFMC, GE Oil & Gas and Subsea 7 among other clients.
The Duchess said: “I’m delighted to be able to present this very prestigious business award. The RED team is clearly doing a great job, working on some very complex projects.
“Achieving the Queen’s Award will be a real boost for them at a regional and national level, and their hard work and dedication will no doubt be an inspiration to other businesses.”
Joe Orrell, managing director, said: “I would like to thank Her Grace for this presentation and her time today.
“The Queen’s Award is one of the highest accolades a company can win. For us, we see this as a tribute to the quality of our excellent staff and the commitment and dedication they bring to their work.
“The award is a highly respected and relevant achievement, so I’m sure it will prove a significant mark of excellence for us as we grow and win new customers in the coming years.”
RED Engineering, which employs 20 people and has annual sales of more than £3m, has rebranded in a move that now reflects demand for its expertise beyond the offshore oil and gas marine sector. The firm is seeing strong demand as it continues to develop its presence in renewables and nuclear decommissioning alongside other new sectors. More at www.redengineers.co.uk