TWO York businesses have received a prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise for their achievements in international trade and innovation.

Sheppee International, a manufacturer of machines used in the handling of freshly made glass bottles, received the award for increasing its international expansion.

The business, which employs 41 people in Elvington, has increased overseas sales by 133 per cent over the past year and has entered new markets, including China.

The company said it sees real potential within the Asia region and is setting up a wholly owned foreign enterprise to take up the opportunities in the market.

Set up in 1993, it has won the Queen’s Award for the first time and was one of 116 exporting companies to win the international trade award.

Creative theatrical productions specialist Stage One, based in Tockwith near York, has been named as one of only 27 businesses to win a Queen’s Award for Innovation.

The business, which employs 87 people, had a big year in 2012 when it was chosen to produce the Olympic cauldron for the London 2012 Games opening ceremony, as well as the Olympic rings which hung from Tower Bridge during the Games.

Stage One Creative Services, which specialises in theatrical flying systems, said it innovated by using a three-pronged approach to engineering.

The business said it combined the pioneering use of steel-wire rope “cable-nets” installed over stadia to enable objects or performers to be flown in.

It used an automated motion control system to enable it to fly multiple objects safely, predictably and with pre-planned movements, and it uses new materials and tries new fabrication methods to create novel back-drops and theatrical artefacts.

Mark Johnson, managing director, said: “We are immensely proud and flattered to be given the prestigious Queen’s Award.

“It says much about this often neglected corner of the north of England that Stage One has been able to forge this amazing collection of skilled people. The recognition this award bestows is entirely down to them.”

Awards were given to 152 business this year. Winners will attend a celebratory reception at Buckingham Palace and receive a crystal bowl presented by a Royal representative to mark the achievement.

Business and Energy Minister Michael Fallon said the awards were one of the most internationally recognised and sought-after awards that a UK business could receive.

He said: “The Queens Awards highlight our strong entrepreneurial streak and the excellent businesses we have up and down the country who are growing, creating jobs, making a valuable contribution to the economy and helping us to compete in the global race.”