Alloa-based ScotAsh Ltd, who manufacture sustainable construction products such as cement and grout from power station ash, have seen their sales and profits rise dramatically since winning their second Queen's Award for Enterprise.

With just over a month remaining until the closing deadline at midnight on 31 October for next year's Awards, there is still time for businesses of all sizes across Scotland to show they too have what it takes to be credited as among the UK's business elite.

ScotAsh Limited was the only Scottish winner in the Sustainable Development category in 2008. This is the company's second Queens Award - the first being won in 2005, in the Innovation category.


Managing Director Peter Quinn said: "Winning Scotland's only Award in the Sustainable Development category this year has given our team and our business a tremendous boost - it has rewarded our determination to achieve economic success through leading edge environmental performance."

He added: "There is no doubt that having the distinctive Queen's Award emblem on our products and our literature is seen by our clients as a hallmark of excellence."

Being a Queen's Award winner has helped ScotAsh to secure prestigious contracts, supplying products to Whitelee windfarm, the new Upper Forth Crossing, the Glendoe hydro-electric scheme and, more recently, the new National Indoor Sports Arena and Velodrome for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In addition, the company has been exporting products to new markets in Singapore and Holland.

Peter Quinn adds: "Winning a Queen's Award is a huge honour for any business. The scheme celebrates and recognises all that is good about British business and, of course, representatives from award winning companies are presented to Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace, which truly is an unforgettable experience."

(GK/JM)