06-05-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Royal stamp of approval as two NI firms given prestigious King's Award
Portadown-based interior fitting contractor the Deluxe Group and Newtownabbey scanning machine manufacturer InspecVision have both announced they've won the King's Award for International Trade.
As winners, the two companies will be invited to a royal reception, where a Lord-Lieutenant, as a representative of the monarch, will present them with the award.
They are also entitled to fly the King's Award flag at their offices, and use the emblem of the awards on their marketing materials, including their website and packaging.
Both firms have been commended for their growth in international trade, with InspecVision reporting more than doubling it in three years, and the Deluxe Group seeing a more than six-fold increase in the same time period.
The Deluxe Group is over 50 years old, and describes itself as 'creating story-led interiors for the luxury hospitality, branded residential, cruise, and theme park sectors'.
The fit-out firm's residential and business clients include luxury London development One Tower Bridge and Great Scotland Yard, a boutique hotel located in the former home of the Metropolitan Police.
The company also does work for theme park clients. For example, it carried out works for two Ratatouille-themed attractions at Disneyland Paris.
In Northern Ireland, the Deluxe Group provided the interior for the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, the museum based on the TV show in Banbridge, Co Down.
Colm O'Farrell, executive chairman of The Deluxe Group, said: 'Everyone at The Deluxe Group is thrilled to win the King's Award for International Trade for Outstanding Growth in Overseas Sales.'
InspecVision was founded in March 2023 by Dr Jan Antonis, who still serves as the managing director, and creates 'precision inspection machines' for industry.
The company's products are sold in more than 30 countries around the world, and has won numerous awards, including a previous version of the Royal Award in 2021.
Dr Antonis said: 'It's a tremendous honour to be awarded the King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
'Overseas growth has been at the heart of our organisation since we began and this award recognises the dedication and resilience of our team and our worldwide distribution partners in delivering innovative solutions to manufacturers around the world.'
Councillor Neil Kelly, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, added: 'I would like to congratulate InspecVision on being honoured with the King's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2025.
'This recognition is a testament to their innovation, expertise, and the high standards they uphold in advanced technology.
'The council are proud to have supported their application and are delighted to see their hard work and impact acknowledged at the highest level with this prestigious award.'
Roger Pollen, head of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Northern Ireland, said: 'I'd like to extend our warmest congratulations to InspecVision on this outstanding achievement.
'Their success is a shining example of the innovation, resilience and determination that small businesses bring to our economy every day. Being celebrated through the achievement of the King's Award is a prestigious and fitting recognition of their continued pursuit of business excellence.
'FSB is proud to have supported their journey so far, and we look forward to seeing what they achieve next.'
The King's Award for Enterprise is described as among the most highly-valued awards for businesses in the UK.
The awards are valid for five years, and companies have reported boosts to staff morale, as well as greater access to new markets.
