Queen’s Awards

Golf-Tech Limited, the UK automatic golf tee manufacturer based in Swindon has invented its way to the top of the leaderboard by receiving the 2009 Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category. Notably it is the only company of its type in the golf range sector ever to be awarded this prestigious honour in the 44-year history of this Royal scheme.

Business Minister, Lord Mandelson, said: “I heartily congratulate all today’s winners of The Queen’s Awards. These inspirational firms have proved they are amongst Britain’s very best businesses. They are flying the flag for British enterprise, innovation and corporate responsibility, both here and abroad. They have achieved the UK’s most prestigious standard of business excellence, and set the standard for other businesses to follow as they help lead Britain out of recession.”

The UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, HRH The Duke of York, said: “I’m delighted to see so many companies applying for, and winning, The Queen’s Award for Enterprise this year. Over the years, I’ve visited many Queen’s Award winning firms, and have seen first hand just what a boost this Award brings to their business and their employees. My sincere congratulations to this year’s record haul of winners, and the individual recipients of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise Promotion, for their exceptional achievement in gaining this prestigious Award.”

Minister for Trade & Investment, Lord Davies of Abersoch, said: “A Queen’s Award for Enterprise is an internationally-recognised symbol of business success. It is a standard that I believe all good businesses should aspire to. Past International Trade winners consistently tell us how their Award has helped open new doors for their company overseas. The fact that more firms than ever are now applying for The Queen’s Award shows what a remarkably valuable endorsement this Award continues to be around the world.”

In 2008 Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: Queen’s Award winning companies are standard-bearers for the best of British business.They embody the spirit of enterprise and innovation that is so vital to the future of Britain’s economy. Whether large or small, every one of this year’s winning organisations has achieved outstanding success in its field. I congratulate them all on their diverse and remarkable achievements.”

Inventor and CEO Martin Wyeth said:

It seems like a very long time since I first walked into a UK driving range and said to the general manager “I’ve had this great idea”.

What started in the cellar of my terrace house as a prototype made from old photocopiers, scrap timber and more string and tape than I would like to admit, has turned into a globally patented, national award winning innovation which is used daily by more than 60,000 golfers in ten countries.

As the inventor, designer, company owner and late night cleaner (more in the early days than lately) people often heap praise on me for taking a concept from the drawing board to the market to outright global leader.   Walking around our sparkling new factory to peruse the glossy photographs of installations at places such as St Andrews, Wentworth and the Belfry, visitors nod, smile and delight in the pride that surrounds the whole company.

The question people most often ask is “how did you do it?”  Well, I didn’t.  A very famous inventor once said “invention is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” I can only claim the 1% on the front end and a small share of the 99% on the back end. The reality of all businesses is simple, to succeed you need great people, great products and a good deal of hard work, dedication and attention to detail all focused at providing customer satisfaction. Golf-Tech has been very lucky to attract and retain a superb workforce who have all bought in to the principles of the business. An extension to these principles is shared by all of our customers who offer Power Tee to their golfers. Give your customers what they want and they will be loyal to you.

The fact that we are the world leader at what we do does help to inspire all who work at Golf-Tech, going to work in the morning is easier when you know you’re the best in your field.

It is with great pride that I accept the Queens Award for innovation 2009 on behalf of the entire staff at Golf-Tech.

The Queen’s Award for Enterprise consists of a business Award with three separate categories – International Trade, Innovation & Sustainable Development. These are recognised in the UK as the most prestigious accolade for business excellence and are respected as a mark of quality and success by the business community.

Likened by some to a “Corporate Knighthood”, Her Majesty The Queen grants this most prestigious UK Award for business performance. The Award is made on the advice of the Prime Minister who is assisted by an Advisory Committee.

Representatives of the businesses that win are invited to an evening reception given by The Queen at Buckingham Palace. The formal presentation ceremony is conducted at the winners’ premises by the Lord-Lieutenant of the County as The Queen’s representative.