The Midlands-based firm is amongst 230 businesses nationwide recognised this year in categories that include sustainable development, promoting opportunities through social mobility, innovation and international trade.
In 2007, the company won the Queen’s Award for Innovation and in 2008, the Queen’s Award for International Trade. Winners of the International Trade Award must demonstrate substantial growth in overseas earnings relative to business size and sector.
This award is the result of a 5-year strategy by Fortress Interlocks to build export growth, targeting regions such as Europe, Asia Pacific (including China) and The Americas.
Interlocks are traditionally a mechanical solution but Fortress prides itself on embracing the digital revolution to incorporate electronic and software-based solutions for customers.
Jo Smith, managing director of Fortress Interlocks, comments: “Our business strategy is based upon innovative customisation, creating robust solutions to allow our customers protect their employees and productivity, whilst our competitors have gone down a route of standardisation”.
In 2016/17, total sales were £22.5million, with export sales accounting to £18.3 million. Over the last three years, sales have grown by over 62%.
Discussing future growth, Smith adds: “Winning this award is testament to the effort we have made to take our solutions to new markets. Our target is to continue to grow sales at 10% per year and be the automation safety supplier of choice in the machine safety market.”