Kings award for Frontline Integrity, Paralloy and Made For Trade

Frontline Integrity

Frontline Integrity, a consultancy specialising in pipeline integrity management, has received a substantial investment and has been honoured with the prestigious King's Award for Enterprise.

Frontline Integrity, founded by Brian Kerrigan and based at North Tyneside’s Silverlink Business Park in early 2020, it has become a key player in the global energy and mining sectors, providing tailored consultancy services to ensure the safe and efficient transportation of products through pipelines.

Ben Ridgway and Brian Kerrigan (Image: Submitted)

The recent investment has seen 2023 entrepreneur of the year Ben Ridgway acquire a minority stake in the business Ben is the co-founder of the iamproperty group, a leading provider of technology solutions to UK Estate Agents.

Frontline Integrity has been honoured with the King's Award under the International Trade category. Brian Kerrigan, Technical Director, said: "Receiving a King’s Award is a huge honour not only for Frontline Integrity but also for the North East business community. It is wonderful to be recognised for our work and I’d like to thank each of our team for their hard work and dedication.

"We’ve grown considerably over the past four years, and 90% of our revenue now comes from international trade on all corners of the globe. Our aim now is to put together a robust plan to support further growth, levering on the experience that Ben brings to the team."

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Ben added, “I’m also delighted that the firm have been awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise. This accolade is well deserved and a testament to the hard work that Brian and his team have put into growing the business. I’m looking forward to working alongside them all on this exciting new development.”

Paralloy

The achievements of Teesside stainless steel specialist Paralloy have also been recognised

The company, which has sites in Billingham, Middlesbrough and Sheffield will receive the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for excellence in International Trade. 

Robert McGowan (Image: Paralloy)

Chief Executive Officer Robert McGowan said: “This is such an honour and a great reward for everybody at Paralloy Group.  We have worked really hard to reach a world-class level and this honour will spur us on to achieve further goals, both abroad and at home.”

Paralloy is one of only 252 organisations to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024 and just one of 161 in the category for International Trade. 

Revenue has increased three-fold, the workforce has more than doubled to more than 500 and the company has spent millions of pounds on new equipment, infrastructure and Research and Development.   It has also acquired four additional sites at the Tees Advanced Manufacturing Plant (TeesAMP) in Middlesbrough as well as new locations in Billingham and Sheffield.

Paralloy designs and produces specialist stainless steel products for a number of sectors: petrochemical, aerospace, blue hydrogen, turbines and defence.  The products are cast in one of three foundries in Billingham and finished, assembled and tested in Middlesbrough. 

Made For Trade

Made For Trade, which manufactures and supplies aluminium bi-folding doors and conservatory systems to the UK fenestration industry, won a King’s Award for Innovation, thanks to its Korniche Aluminium Lantern Roof product, a patented solution to bringing light into a single-storey extension. 

The company, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year, has its headquarters in Wynyard with manufacturing sites at Portrack Lane, Stockton, and Brenda Road, Hartlepool. 

Bradley and Ashley Gaunt (Image: Submitted)

Managing Director, Bradley Gaunt, son of company founder Richard Gaunt, was delighted with the award: “Winning this award validates our team’s hard work and dedication. It boosts our reputation and opens up new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Thanks to everyone at Made For Trade for their passion and commitment. Together, we’ll keep innovating and achieving success.” 

Bradley took over the family business from his father, at the age of just 23, with a degree in engineering and just 18 months industry experience. The company had been reduced to just 11 employees due to tough economic times, when Bradley set to work. 

Helping with the design of lantern roof was brother Ashley, who was previously working as a chassis designer for a car company in Italy, and sister Lois has also joined the company in customer services.