Staff at Shelforce had another morning they will never forget after being presented with their King’s Awards for Enterprise certificate signed by the King and a unique domed glass crystal to immortalise their achievement.
The Birmingham window and door manufacturer received the King’s Awards for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility) last year.
Established in 1965, the awards have propelled UK businesses onto the world stage with an internationally-renowned symbol of excellence. Previously named The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, His Majesty The King approved the Prime Minister’s recommendation that Shelforce be recognised.
Shelforce specialises in supplying high-performance PVCu casement windows, composite doors and its fully compliant Fireshel 30-minure fire, smoke and security resistant door to local authority building projects, including Birmingham City Council, and the business employs 31 people, of which 75% have a disability, and provides a place where people with mental or physical disability can thrive in employment.
A prestigious accolade
Shelforce welcomed The West Midlands’ Lord Lieutenant, Sir John Crabtree, to its headquarters in Erdington. Sir John presented The King’s Awards for Enterprise engraved crystal winner trophy to staff and gave a short speech on what the award means for the West Midlands before meeting and congratulating the team.
The event was also attended by members of Birmingham City Council, including Wayne Davies, Director of Asset Management.
The team were also able to view the official The King’s Awards for Enterprise charter, which was signed by King Charles and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and recognises ‘the outstanding achievement of Shelforce.’ It will be proudly displayed, along with the domed glass crystal, in the reception at Shelforce’s headquarters.
The highest recognition
Since 2021 Shelforce has scooped several awards, including being crowned the 2021 Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce (GBCC) Business of the Year off the back of winning the Excellence for People Development award at the same event and, in 2023, winning the ‘Most Significant Service Improvement’ award at the first ever City Housing Awards and being named Business of the Year at the Great British Business and Community Awards.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, however, has been by far the biggest and Howard Trotter, Shelforce’s Business Manager, said: “It was a huge honour to welcome Sir John to the factory and it was brilliant for the team to be presented with the King’s Awards for Enterprise crystal and charter as our success is all down to them.
“Something like this really drives home to the team how well they are doing and how good they are at their jobs. When they hear that this comes from the King it gives them even more drive and determination to succeed.”
All set for the future
New signage and a complete refurbishment of Shelforce’s reception and offices courtesy of long-term partner Equans have come off the back of the success, while three new team leader roles are in place to be filled and an investment in new machinery will increase manufacturing capacity and help the business meet ever increasing demands.
“The recognition and weight that the King’s Award for Enterprise carries, signifying excellence in various aspects of business, has enhanced our reputation and attracted positive attention from potential clients and has helped open the door to other councils and housing associations, whose social values and sense of social responsibility line up with our own,” added Howard.
“Eleven years ago, the perception was that Shelforce was broken, and we would not survive, so to get to where we have and to receive the highest honour in UK business, renowned across the world, is an unbelievable achievement.”
