1966: Radcliffe firm honoured with Queen's Award to Industry

A RADCLIFFE firm has become one of the first in Britain to be honoured with the Queen's Award to Industry.

The General Engineering Co. is one of 115 in the country chosen for the prize, which recognises outstanding achievement in the field of exports or technological innovation.

Thomas Stanley Dickinson, the firm's chairman, said that he was very pleased with the award and felt the company had every right to feel proud, given the small number of recipients.

Last year, the company, which employs 480 people, exported £2.5 million worth of goods, accounting for 64 per cent of their turnover despite the fact they have no exports manager.

Mr Dickinson added: "We have a team of engineers who can tackle just about anything."

More than half of the firm's exports go to Communist countries, and they were recently congratulated by the Russian government for delivering a £2 million order exactly on time.

Only seven of the 115 chosen companies are Lancashire-based, including giants such as the Leyland Motor Corporation.

The actual award will be presented to Mr Dickinson by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, the Earl of Derby, sometime in the near future.

The winners will be allowed to use the award's emblem on writing paper, packing cases, flags, and lapel buttons for five years and can apply for an extension at the end of that time.

The design comprises a crown, arrows symbolising exports to the four corners of the world, and cog wheels. With it is a scroll signed by both the Queen and the Prime Minister.

At Monday's meeting of Radcliffe Council, the mayor, Richard Fletcher, said the award was a "great credit to the company" and congratulated them on their success.

Another Radcliffe firm, Dobson and Barlow Ltd shares in the congratulations as they are part of the Stone Platt Industries group, who also received an award.

The group's chairman said that the Radcliffe-based branch deserved a "pat on the back" for their contribution to the company's success, alongside others in Oldham and Accrington.