Two Sussex firms have earned royal recognition for their outstanding business achievements.

Uckfield-based printing company Beacon Press and drilling rig specialist Dando Drilling International, based in Littlehampton, were honoured with Queen's Awards for Enterprise.

The awards, announced on Monday to coincide with the Queen's birthday, mark the achievement by UK companies in three categories - international trade, innovation and sustainable development.

Very few firms competing for the annual awards successfully meet the standards required to win.

Beacon won its award for its efforts to care for the environment after demonstrating what the judging panel said was "an outstanding level of commitment to sustainable development."

The panel said Beacon's commitment to environmental issues had helped the company win contracts with large multinationals and "demonstrated the links between a proactive approach to sustainable development and commercial success."

Beacon, which employs almost 60 people, has operated a factory-wide environmental management system for more than a decade.

It incorporates 100 green initiatives, many of them designed to counter the main environmental impact of the printing industry, such as extensive use of chemicals and high energy costs.

The company has invested in the latest green technology, devised a range of eco-friendly products, introduced stringent recycling and water-saving programmes and supported a campaign to source paper from sustainable forests.

Beacon is no stranger to winning awards.

In the past ten years the company has scooped 24 UK and international environmental honours and gained a worldwide reputation as a centre of environmental excellence in the printing industry.

Chairman Mark Fairbrass said: "Every award we've won over the years has been a great honour but the Queen's Award really is the icing on the cake.

"I'm particularly pleased because this award is given to the organisation working as a team.

"It recognises the way every member of staff at Beacon is committed to the cause of sustainable printing."

Dando won an award in the international trade category for the second time in three years.

The company, which employs 15 people, designs, manufactures, markets and sells drilling rigs and equipment for water well exploration, environmental monitoring and mineral exploration.

Its main markets are in Asia and Africa.

It started trading in its present form in 1991 and its offices are just yards away from the site of the original company.

Martin Fitch-Roy, managing director, said: "We are absolutely delighted to win this award for a second time. Over the years we have built up a body of expertise that is second to none, not just in drilling technology but in understanding the needs of our customers. We are confident we can continue to provide our equipment, knowledge and experience."

Wednesday April 23 2003