Sheffield-based business Diamond Dispersions has won the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

Diamond Dispersions, which manufactures colour concentrates used in the manufacture of inkjet inks, mainly for the digital printing of textiles, is no stranger to this accolade having previously won the Queen’s Award for International Trade in 2012. Overseas sales have more than doubled over the past three years, and the proportion of sales exported has increased to over 80% of total sales.

“We couldn’t be prouder to receive recognition for our continued efforts and commitment to grow the company in such a prestigious way”, says Keith Malone, commercial manager, Diamond Dispersions. “The Queen’s Award is an honor that is admired across the globe, not just here in the UK – and it deeply matters to every one of us here at Diamond Dispersions.”

“Over the last few years, our strategic planning has driven us to work more closely with print machine manufacturers (OEMS), enabling them to develop bespoke ink products,” shares Andrew Grantham, marketing manager, Diamond Dispersions. “The closer relationships we’ve built have been a key driver to our sales growth over the last three years.”

Diamond Dispersions has responded effectively to the rapidly growing digital print market by supporting customers as they seek to deliver customization, shorter print runs, just-in-time manufacturing and a desire for reduced stocks and wastage.

“We’ve also developed specific products for use in the pigmented digital textile printing market, which has huge potential for growth, “adds Grantham. “Pigment-based digital printing of cotton textiles, in particular, is much more environmentally friendly than dye-based printing as it requires less energy and water and eliminates waste-water effluent.”

“Ever since Diamond Dispersions was established in 2007, we have taken every opportunity to further improve and enhance our customer service,” concludes Grantham. “For example, to better serve customers locally and achieve the response times demanded by those customers, last year we made the decision to hold stock in several different countries including China, the US, India and Brazil.”

The Queen’s Award can be displayed for up to five years and, being from Her Majesty, is regarded as one of the most exclusive and prestigious awards for a UK company to win. It will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the County and members of the team will be invited to Buckingham Palace for an Award Winners Reception in June.

Applications for the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2020 are now open and close on 10 September 2019. They are free to enter, and it is a self-nominating process. Winners in the International Trade category receive a year's FREE membership to the IOE&IT.

For more information and to apply, visit: www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.