A FIRM with a Malvern-based factory has been named as a winner of a Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The Smart Actuator Company, which has offices at Advantage Business Park in Spring Lane, Malvern, has received the accolade, considered one of the highest for business achievement.

The firm has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Innovation in Enterprise in acknowledgement of the electric actuation technology, and growth in the last few years.

The award, the most coveted in British commerce, recognises not only the quality of the innovation itself but the enterprising spirit that drives the success of this business.

The company is a success story, and makes actuators which are machine components responsible for moving or controlling a mechanism or system.

It was invented by Malvern resident James O'Donnell, and is considered an innovative product that is revolutionising the world of valve and actuation.

"We are the sixth fastest growing engineering manufacturing company in the Midlands right now," he said.

"The Smart Actuator Company is going from strength-to-strength and we are proud to be a Malvern-based company with Family Business ethics."

Chief executive Tony O’Donnell said: “For our young company to have won one of Britain’s most coveted business awards is simply amazing.

"Especially so in this historic year when HM the Queen celebrates the sapphire anniversary of her reign.

"The award appropriately reflects the time, commitment and effort that our people have invested in the outstanding achievement of our business. It is a standard of commercial excellence and innovation that is recognised worldwide.

"Our job now is to continue to build on the success so far and to maximise the benefits our innovation can bring both to customers across the globe and our UK economy.

“The recognition of the Queen’s Award is a great achievement for the whole team.

"We have worked hard and built a robust platform from which to further grow this exciting business. We would also like to thank our local Chamber of Commerce and LEP along with The British Valve and Actuator Association and Department of International Trade whose support has been invaluable to the success and growth of our business.”