TWO members of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce Platinum Group have been praised by the Chamber's president after earning Queen’s Awards in recognition of outstanding performance.

Smethwick-based Hadley Group has been given the Queen’s Award for Enterprise Innovation and Kingswinford-based Mechatherm International won the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Ninder Johal, president of the Chamber, said: “We are deeply proud of Hadley and Mechatherm. They represent what is best about Black Country manufacturing and I am very pleased that they have been recognised by this prestigious award.

“I would encourage all Black Country manufacturing businesses to follow their lead. Export markets offer an excellent opportunity for growth and many companies are taking advantage of the expertise and relationships that Chambers of Commerce have in exporting to test out new markets and win new business.

"Mechatherm have completed worldwide projects in all continents and have considerable experience in customising furnace designs to suit specific locations, local standards, regulations and client's internal standards. They are a great example to us all.

“Hadley’s investment in innovation is bearing fruit and their attitude to training, prototyping and patenting is both refreshing and one for local businesses to emulate.

"This is the second Queen’s Award that Hadley have won and as Hadley Group CEO, Stewart Towe, CBE, said is recognition of the experience, knowledge and quality of their in-house research, development and manufacturing capabilities.”