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Gilkes staff visit Buckingham Palace

On Monday 19^th July The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh gave a Reception for winners of The Queen's Awards for Enterprise at Buckingham Palace, which included Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd.

Andrew Poole and Alastair Steel represented the company and even got the chance to chat to Her Majesty not only about their recent achievements in export but also about their UK portfolio of work which includes a hydroelectric turbine which has been installed at Balmoral since 1898.

Chairman Charles Crewdson said, “It was superb for some of the Gilkes’ staff to be thanked in person by the Queen for their contribution to UK exports over the last three years. We were the only recipients in Cumbria this year. Hopefully if our plans for a new facility and regeneration of the 20 acres at Canal Head succeed we should continue as a substantial exporter and employer in Cumbria and more particularly Kendal.”

A separate presentation by The Lord-Lieutenant will take place in the next couple of months, on behalf of The Queen, where Gilkes will be presented with an engraved crystal bowl and a Grant of Appointment.

Gilkes help Kendal Football Club kick start the season

Gilkes will continue to support the local club by being the kit sponsor for the second year running. Gilkes would like to take this opportunity to wish all at the club the very best for the new season.

Gilkes win Queens Award for Enterprise...

We have received an award from The Queen for our achievements of Enterprise in International Trade. Gilkes is the only company in Cumbria in the 2010 awards to be successful.

Gilkes started trading as far back as 1853, and is winning the award for its outstanding achievement in nearly doubling its overseas sales to over £14miilion per annum in three years and exporting more than 60% of its production.

Recent contracts include hydroelectric schemes in New Zealand generating 1.7MW (enough power for up to 1700 homes) and another in America generating up to 13.7MW this runs alongside numerous contracts that Gilkes has been awarded in the UK. Gilkes’ pump product group has influenced international trade significantly exporting products to the largest diesel manufacturers in the World.

The success has been achieved through an impressive marketing operation involving offices in North America; representatives in Japan and through the efforts of a dedicated UK based sales team in Kendal. Overseas revenues have totalled over £31million over three years and 17 more jobs have been created.

Chairman, Charles Crewdson commented:

“ The Queen’s Award is a fantastic recognition of the hard work and commitment given by every individual in Gilkes. To more than double our exports over the last three years in the context of the world’s worst recession is truly remarkable.

This Award has come at a perfect time and will add context to our plans for Canal Head, which will go to public consultation in early May. If the Gilkes vision for Canal Head is accepted I would hope to see this £100m project as a catalyst to revive the economic well being of Kendal; and hopefully win many more Queen’s Awards for the areas businesses.”

Exhibitions

HydroVision International

Hydropower Africa 2010

Peterborough Water Sewage & Waste Exhibition

Birmingham Water Sewage & Waste Exhibition

Bradford Water Sewage & Waste Exhibition

International Workboat Show, New Orleans

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