Niftylift will receive the awards for innovation and international trade from Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, at its headquarters in Milton Keynes later this year.
The awards reflect the Stonebridge-based company’s success in export sales and its development of a new parallel work platform that includes market-leading safety and operating features.
Chairman Roger Bowden, who founded the company in 1982, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for us and we are honoured to be recognised as a company of the highest calibre in British business.”
Niftylift manufactures mobile aerial platforms for the building, construction and maintenance sectors at its production plants in Milton Keynes and Barnsley.
It has seen export sales increase by 106% in the last three years, mainly in Germany, France and the Netherlands as well as the USA and Australia. The firm is preparing to develop markets in Asia, including Russia and China, the Middle East and has targeted new opportunities in Central and South America.
Niftylift, which employs a total 211 staff, received the Queen’s Award for Innovation for its development of the HR17 Hybrid 4×4 mobile elevated work platform (pictured).
It includes patented safety features, a hybrid diesel and battery power supply and can support two people to a safe working height of 17 metres.
The new platform is safer, cheaper, more comfortable and environmentally-friendly and cheaper to operate than its rivals, said a spokesman.
Managing director John Keely said the awards were a boost to the sector. “We are proud to be a British manufacturer and the recognition will promote the importance of the UK manufacturing industry,” he added.
Mr Bowden said: “These awards help to illustrate how our dedication to design and innovation together with our attention to detail and strong customer focus have allowed us to continue to compete successfully in this global market place.
“I am very proud of the strong and close-knit team we have here at Niftylift and I would like to thank them all for their professionalism and commitment to ensuring our worldwide reputation and success over the years.”
