A WORCESTERSHIRE company has been given the royal seal of approval for its innovative and industry-changing products.

Morgan Group Technology Ltd was yesterday awarded a Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The Stourport-on-Severn company was one of only eight in the West Midlands to earn an award, and one of only 123 in the country. The awards were timed to coincide with the Queen's 77th birthday.

The Bewdley Road firm, which employs 60 people, won an Innovation award for its bio-soluble, high-temperature insulation wools used in manufacturing processes.

The firm's parent company is The Morgan Crucible Company Plc, which owns Morganite Crucible Ltd, in Norton, Worcester, a world-wide exporter of manufacturing crucibles.

"Morgan Group Technology has carried out extensive research and development to identify fibres that dissolve, but still have the necessary high-temperature performance," said a spokesman for the Queen's Awards .

"A range of materials that operate up to temperatures of 1,260 degrees Celsius is now in production, generating continuous sales growth for the company. Most of the product is for export."

Broad spectrum

Awards in the Innovation category this year recognised a broad spectrum of achievements, from satellite passenger-vehicle location equipment to a range of machine-washable tailored men's clothing.

Other West Midlands recipients of awards for Innovation include Translift Engineering Limited in Redditch, for the successful development of the Bendi, and articulated forklift truck, and Zerpetz Ltd (which trades as Arrowvale Electronics), for the development of a "black box" recorder for trains.

Micropathology Ltd, on Warwick Science Park, Coventry, also won recognition for its rapid-response diagnostic service to detect and fight infection.

As well as Innovation, there are two other categories in the Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

International Trade recognises firms achieving substantial overseas sales at a level that is outstanding for the industry sector and the size of the company.

The Sustainable Development award, meanwhile, recognises firms that demonstrate environmental, social and economic considerations when planning and implementing policies.

The awards differ from personal honours because they recognise the achievement of the business unit as a whole, with management and employees working as a team.

Winners are entitled to fly the award flag and display the emblem on letter headings, in advertising, on the packaging of goods produced in this country and on the goods themselves, and on articles for employees such as lapel badges, ties, cuff links and brooches.

Registration for the 2004 awards is now open. Phone 020 7222 2277 or e-mail: info@queensawards.org.uk