STAFF at a Milton Keynes
manufacturing company are celebrating after the business became the first in
the UK to win two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the same year for the second
time.
Niftylift, which designs,
develops, manufactures and distributes mobile elevating work platforms, has won
the awards for Innovation and International Trade, replicating its achievement
in 2013.
The company will receive its awards at its headquarters in
Shenley Wood later this year.
Niftylift’s 28-metre hybrid work
platform the HR28 earned the company the award for innovation. It was developed
as the world’s tallest electric work platform, this state-of-the-art product
combines market-leading performance with innovative safety features and an
environmentally conscious power plant.
The company received the
International Trade award for its “outstanding” export sales over the past six
years, which have grown by an average 132%.
Niftylift was founded by Roger
Bowden, who remains its chairman, in 1985 and moved to Milton Keynes in 1988.
Today it employs more than 400 people in Milton Keynes and has facilities in
Barnsley, Germany and the USA.
Mr Bowden said: “We are honoured
to be recognised for not one but two prestigious Queen’s Awards for Enterprise
in 2019. 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 compete so successfully in this global marketplace.”
Managing director John Keely added: “This is excellent news for Niftylift
and for the powered access industry. We are proud to be a British manufacturing
success story and this recognition will help to promote the importance of the
UK manufacturing industry around the world. Huge thanks go to our worldwide
network of dealers and our valued customers who have placed their trust in our
products and company.”
