AWARDS have been handed out to two leading companies.

Kings Coughton firm GreenMech Ltd, which makes wood chippers and green waste shredders, has won a prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise for the first time.

The firm, based at The Mill Industrial Park, is one of just 11 firms in the West Midlands to pick up the award this year. It won a prize in the international trade category.

The firm designs, makes and markets a range of chippers designed to meet environmental requirements for the recycling or disposal of green and other organic waste under the slogan "engineering for a greener environment".

In the past three years overseas sales have increased by 120 per cent, representing nearly one third in sales.

The firm sells to 14 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Spain and Germany.

l And Beoley-based Oakland International scooped an award for its work in the local community at the prestigious Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Community Partnership Awards which showcase the best community-based schemes of 2004.

They were presented with the award at the FDF President's Dinner in London.

The Oakland International team has been encouraged to have a sense of pride in the work undertaken in the local community and employees are actively encouraged to suggest schemes and community projects for the company to get involved in.

As a result, the company supports numerous local projects including regular donations of food and drink to drop-in centres for the homeless, provision of road safety material to schoolchildren, including high visibility waistcoats and safety leaflets, and sponsorship of an u9s football team.

FDF deputy director general Martin Paterson said: "The industry takes its social responsibilities very seriously but many outside of the industry are unaware of the enormous amount of community-focused work that manufacturers commit to. FDF is very proud to help recognise the continued dedication of individuals and companies to local communities."