A manufacturer of loudspeakers has won the Queen's Award for Innovation.

Bower & Wilkins (B&W) was presented with the award yesterday at a special ceremony at the company's headquarters in Dale Road, Worthing.

The honour was bestowed on the firm in recognition of its trademarked Nautilus Tapering Tube technology, which produces a remarkably clear sound.

It was one of only seven Queen's Awards for Innovation issued throughout the South-East.

B&W is widely regarded as the best loudspeaker maker in the world.

Celebrity users include rock stars Peter Gabriel, Dave Stewart and legendary pianist Alfred Brendel.

B&W's speakers are also used in the famous Abbey Road studios in London.

The Nautilus loudspeaker was the result of a five-year research programme to achieve the "perfect" loudspeaker and greatly reduces distortion at high volumes.

The Queen's Award for Enterprise Promotion, which includes innovation, rewards people who have played an outstanding role in promoting the growth of enterprise and entrepreneurial skills.

Geoff Edwards, B&W's executive vice-president operations, said: "The Queen's Award for Enterprise is a valuable achievement for the company since it is recognised worldwide as a sign of quality and success.

"No single person won this award for the company - it was a team effort involving all the parts of the company. Everyone is thrilled to have received this award."

Stephen Brice, secretary for the awards, said: "The Queen's Awards recognise the contribution made by the whole workforce and presentations such as this give management, staff, customers and suppliers an opportunity to celebrate this most prestigious business accolade."

Earlier this year B&W's 800 series were the first loudspeakers to feature tweeters - the small speakers which sit above the main speaker cone and deliver high-pitched sounds - made from diamonds.

These speakers ranged between £6,000 and £14,000 a pair.

B&W was founded after the Second World War by John Bowers and Roy Wilkins.

Bowers spent the war years working on special operations in clandestine radio contact with Allied resistance operatives in occupied Europe.

He specialised in electronics and radio-transmission and after the war opened a retail hi-fi store in Worthing with his business partner Roy Wilkins.

July 6, 2005