FIVE companies in Suffolk and north Essex are today celebrating recognition in the 2012 Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

Adnams, the Southwold-based brewing and leisure retail group known for its “green” credentials, is among this year’s recipients in the Sustainable Development category of the awards, in which it was previously successful 2005.

Hadleigh-based Plant Parts, which supplies parts for construction equipment, is honoured in the International Trade category for the second year running.

And LMK Thermosafe of Haverhill, RDC, based in Braintree, and Contamac, from Wendens Ambo, near Saffron Walden are also among the winners in the International Trade section of the awards, which are announced annually on HM The Queen’s birthday.

Adnams’ awards citation refers to the company’s “values-based approach to management”, reflected in its eco-distribution centre, its development of a carbon neutral beer, the use of lighter bottles and its involvement in a partnership to produce energy from organic waste.

“The company provides leadership, staff resource and funding to promote responsible drinking and support work experience and training, especially for disabled and disadvantaged people,” he citation adds. “It provides an excellent example to its industry.”

Andy Wood, chief executive of Adnams, which employs 322 people, said: “We are delighted to be honoured with this award. At its simplest level sustainability is about longevity. Adnams has been in business since 1872 and we plan for it to be around for many, many more years to come.

“At a deeper level it’s about building stronger relationships – with our people, our customers, our community and the wider world.

“That means developing an exceptional working culture at Adnams, managing our social and environmental impacts to deliver positive improvements and achieving better business results, on a consistent basis.”

Plant Parts, which has a workforce of 15, is recognised for its development of FDC (the Final Drive Centre) as a world-wide brand for the supply of replacement drives for the machines of a number of different manufacturers.

The company’s export earnings over the three years to March 2011 reached nearly �5.5million from sales in more than 100 countries, with around 70% of its total sales last year going to export markets.

Managing director Richard Finch said: “I am thrilled to win the award, this is a huge achievement for everyone here at Plant Parts and is a reflection of the hard work a dedication given by the staff everyday.”

LMK Thermosafe, which employs nine people, is a family firm which manufactures industrial drum and container heaters for use in potentially explosive atmospheres, with exports accounting for the majority of its products.

It has adopted a mix of export strategies, underpinned by geographically-targeted websites and advertising.

RDC, which has a workforce of 195, provides computer refurbishment, recycling and secure data destruction services.

Its Braintree facility is one of the largest dedicated information technology equipment re–processing centre in the world and multi–lingual sales staff deal with more than 6,000 customers in 72 countries.

Exports have accounted for 57% of its turnover in the past three years, with overseas earnings growing by 92% during the period.

Recognition in the International Trade category completes a treble for RDC, as it has previously been honoured for Innovation (in 2002) and Sustainable Development (2009).

Contamac, which employs 54 people and is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, develops and manufactures specialist polymers for the ophthalmic medical device industry and is recognised for continuous growth in international trade over the last six years.

Its strategy includes overseas distributors, a wholly owned subsidiary, a multilingual sales and marketing team, medical device experts and strategic alliances.