Smiths Group businesses win two prestigious Queens Awards John Crane

JOHN Crane, part of the global engineering business Smiths Group, is today honoured with a 2006 Queens Award for Enterprise.

John Cranes Turbomachinery Division, which designs and manufactures advanced mechanical sealing solutions for use in turbomachinery equipment, has received the award in recognition of its success in expanding its business well in excess of the general levels of market growth, and also for its efforts in developing and marketing advanced technologies.

Over the period from 2000 to 2005 the Slough-based Turbomachinery Division grew its turnover by a total of 92% (an average of 14% per annum) with 93% of this growth coming from export sales.  Over a similar period the overall Index of UK Manufacturing Production fell by 1.4% and the UK exports of the pumps and compressors (to which the Turbomachinery Division products are fitted) grew by just 2.8%. The Turbomachinery Division has been particularly successful in directly targeting end-users of its products, as well as penetrating the rapidly expanding Liquified Natural Gas sector.

John Crane itself has an enviable reputation as the world's largest designer and manufacturer of engineered sealing solutions and associated technology. Its Turbomachinery Division specialises in the production of non-contacting gas lubricated seals which have been developed to satisfy the growing need to handle and transport gaseous products safely and reliably. These gas sealing solutions are typically used on high-speed machinery such as compressors.

We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised in this way, comments Turbomachinery General Manager Dave Hill. We have worked tremendously hard to get to our current position, but we are also investing heavily in our future and expanding the scope of our turbomachinery capability. The finances involved in todays oil and gas markets lead our customers to expect first-class products backed by first-class service and we are well on the way to both meeting and exceeding those expectations.

John Crane recently announced plans for a £2.4 Million investment programme that will reinforce its current position as the international leader in turbomachinery sealing solutions. The investment will enhance various aspects of the companys turbomachinery operations, including the improvement of product reliability and service capability, the upgrading of seal test facilities and the development of future technologies.

ENDS

Queens Awards
The Queens Awards for Enterprise are the UKs most prestigious awards for business performance. They recognise and reward outstanding achievement by UK companies.