Ace Winches Presenteed with Queen's Award at Special Celebration

05 July 2010

ACE Winches, a leader in the design, manufacture and hire of hydraulic winches, marine deck machinery and provision associated personnel for the offshore oil and gas, marine and renewable energy markets, was presented with the coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise 2010 International Trade by Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Clare Russell at a special celebration on Friday (2 July).

ACE Winches was awarded the prestigious accolade by demonstrating its international growth in overseas earnings. Since 2003, when the company had 25 employees and a turnover of £1.8 million, it has focussed on its main objective to achieve sustained growth, success and profitability. The company now employs over 150 staff with a projected combined turnover of £16 million by October of this year, 75% of turnover realised from international activities and sales.

Winning the Queen’s Award is testament to its policy of long-term organic growth, careful cash management, an avoidance of high-risk expenditure and re-investment of profits back into the business.

Valerie Cheyne, Chief Financial Officer of ACE Winches, said: “We are extremely proud to have received the Queen’s Award. This underlines the hard work, commitment and professionalism of our employees across the company. The award is also a testament of our efforts within the north-east economy to export skills and products to the global market.

“We will continue to invest in developing our people and growing our service offering to ensure that ACE Winches continues to provide tailored-made solutions for our clients in the manufacture and hire of deck machinery and heavily invest and grow a strong hire fleet division.”

Scottish singer, Robert Lovie was the Master of Ceremonies for the event, which recognised 12 of its employees with a long service award. Scott Still, Steven Smith, Jacqueline Henderson and John Barron were among the longest serving members of the team, who have collectively been with the company for 46 years.

As part of the celebratory event, the company also awarded 16 apprentices with Modern Apprenticeship Certificates and 2 Trainee Engineers Certificates, before the Lord Lieutenant opened the ACE Highland Games, which included tug of war, whisky keg, caber tossing and lots more.

Mrs Cheyne continued: “It was a fantastic celebration for both the company and individual members of staff who have been recognised for their achievements. Our employees are very important to us and our main objective is to secure the long term future for all our staff and families.”