Gloucestershire's Prima Dental Group has been honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2024.

The world-leading designer and manufacturer of precision dental and medical instruments is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a prestigious King's Award for Enterprise.

This is also the company's third royal accolade - as previous winners of the Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade in 2014 and 2018.

Quedgeley-based Prima Dental is one of the region's largest exporters - more than 90% of its £37.6m turnover is generated from international trade and this is expected to increase to more than £50m by the end of 2025.

Over the years the company has expanded its reach to supply more than 90 countries, supported by two joint ventures in Brazil and Hong Kong and two subsidiaries in China and India. It manufactures some 55 million units a year, making it the largest dental bur (drill) manufacturer in the world.

Alun Jones, managing director of Prima Dental Group, said: "I am honoured and thrilled by our company's achievement in winning the esteemed King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade.

"This recognition serves as a testament to the hard work, skill and dedication of every member of our team and their continued commitment to our purpose - the constant pursuit of better. It's this philosophy that filters through all that we do, and aspire to do.

"We remain steadfast in our pursuit of better for our employees, partners and customers - leading to a positive contribution to oral healthcare worldwide.

"The award serves not only as validation of our past efforts but also as a catalyst for further growth and we're excited about what lies ahead."

Prima's export prowess has been supported by growing its market share in mature markets, including the USA, Europe and Middle East as well as developing countries like India, Brazil and China. Critical to this success has been the depth of market understanding, commitment to long-term relationships, investment in machinery and talent, alongside a constant focus on innovation to spearhead exciting new technologies.

The King's Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen's Awards for Enterprise, were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty The King's desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II's by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The Award programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King's Awards Emblem for the next five years.