A SMALL family-owned business in Suffolk which has achieved sales success around the world was yesterday presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

Haverhill-based LMK Thermosafe was honoured in the International Trade section of the awards, which are announced annually in April to coincide with HM the Queen’s birthday.

Yesterday’s presentation was made by Lord Tollemache, who as Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk, is the Queen’s official representative in the county.

He presented the official scroll recognising the company’s achievement to managing director Mark Newton and a crystal bowl to Jan Newton, the company’s HR and training director.

Lord Tollemache said he was delighted to be visiting Haverhill which he viewed as “a town of which the county of Suffolk should be proud”.

He also underlined the company’s achievement in winning the award, something which very few businesses managed.

“For me personally, it is always a huge pleasure to visit the successful companies, see what they do and present the award,” he added.

LMK Thermosafe manufactures industrial drum and container heaters for use in sensitive, and in some cases potentially explosive, environments where the heating, melting or heat control of materials is required.

Its design of induction drum heater, developed by Malcolm Rackind in the 1980s, was originally developed as a method of heating oil-based products in safety but the company’s products, which also include thermal jackets, are now used in the production of a wide range of goods, including chocolate, honey, beer, sun cream and shampoo as well as engine oil, paint and varnish.

Exports now account for a majority of its sales, with the company having adopted a mix of sales strategies for different markets, including geographically-targeted websites and advertising and specialist certification programmes to complement its new products.

Mr Newton said it was “a great honour” for a small company such as LMK Thermosafe to receive a Queen’s Award, and he thanked the company’s staff, past as well as present, for their contribution to its success.

“It shows that there is still room for British manufacturers to innovate and lead the world,” he added.

“In the last 12 years, we have introduced a number of new products which have been patented and have been the basis of our export success. However, our induction heater introduced more than 25 years ago is still at the pinnacle of the market.”