One of few companies in East Sussex who won in the category of International Trade, Ms Ghani visited Aspen Pumps to understand more about the company’s continued successes and the challenges that businesses are facing in light of the UK’s changing relationship with Europe.

Ms Ghani was also interested to understand how UK-based companies, such as Aspen, respond effectively to changing political, economic and trading environments.

The company, which employs 109 people at its Hailsham location and more than 180 around the world, has enjoyed substantial growth over the past five years through business acquisition and product innovation; Aspen now has entities in France, Germany, the USA and Australia.

Following the recent acquisition of Advanced Engineering, a specialist HVAC cleaning chemicals company, Aspen’s product portfolio now boasts six in house brands.

Kelly Butler, group marketing director, says: “As a business we stick by our core message of ‘making the installer’s life easier’. We do this through offering a diverse and innovative range of products, building and nurturing relationships with wholesalers in key territories and investment in our people. We work to develop strong, long lasting relationships with our customers and ensure that we can support them with best in-branch service and products which are the installers brand of choice.”

For 26 years, Aspen has been designing and developing products which are tailored to individual markets, the practice of which has been instrumental in its growth.

Chris Gee, technical director for Aspen Pumps, stated: “We are passionate about making reliable products. We have a multi-disciplined team – electrical engineers, mechanical engineers and product designers – and this blend of skills ensures that Aspen continues to innovate and create excellent products.This investment in people and skills is key to driving the business forward, ensuring fresh and innovative ideas for products are being generated.”

Despite a period of international trading challenges, Aspen has continued to grow, investing in core markets where there are further opportunities for success. The UK company has a good foothold in France and Germany with warehousing and sales capacity on the ground. In fact, Aspen attributes much of its success to the investment it has made in having ‘boots on the ground’ in key markets.

Following a tour of the warehouse, offices and laboratory, Ms Ghani said: “Aspen’s commitment to innovation and ensuring product is accessible in key markets is certainly a key factor in their continued successes.”

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is one of the highest accolades that a UK company can achieve and it is internationally recognised as a mark of quality. Companies such as Aspen who achieve such awards are testament to the opportunities for growth that are still available for UK companies in international markets.

Mr Butler stated: “Support and interest shown by government in companies such as Aspen and the productive conversations which are generated from these meetings, demonstrates the support UK companies need for success.”