Queens Award for Enterprise – International Trade 2015

Airborne Systems celebrates winning Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2015  – UK’s highest accolade for business success!


Airborne Systems is flying high after winning the Queen’s Award for International Trade, in recognition of increasing overseas sales during the last three years and exporting more than 50% of turnover.

Based in Bridgend, South Wales, Airborne Systems is a major manufacturing employer, with over 350 employees on two sites and additional locations in Letchworth, Brize Norton and Toulouse, France.

The company dates back to 1926 when Leslie Irvin began the mass production of parachutes in the UK.  In particular, parachutes manufactured by Airborne Systems have saved the lives of countless aircrew forced to bail out of stricken aircraft, dating back from World War 2 to the present day.

Airborne Systems Ltd specialises in the design, manufacture and support of Military Parachutes and Aerial Delivery equipment, and more recently Naval Electronic Warfare Counter Measures (Airborne and Floating Decoy) products.

Chris Rowe, President and Managing Director, commented, “We have a long history, enjoying more than 90 years at the leading edge of the industry. We have generations of families working for us, and many employees have been with us for over 20 years.  During the recent challenging economic times, together we have successfully managed to maintain a stable workforce. ”

The awards are made annually by HM The Queen and are only given for the highest levels of excellence.  Winners of The Queen’s Awards will be asked to attend a special reception at Buckingham Palace.

Chris went on to say: “To be standing in the Palace ballroom as an invited guest of HM The Queen, representing Airborne Systems, will be a very proud moment indeed. The Queen’s Award is the highest accolade there is.  We hope our success in winning the UK’s most prestigious business award will prove to be an inspiration to others”.

Approximately 160 Queen’s Awards have been announced this year for outstanding business achievement, from more than 1000 entries. The Queen’s Award Emblem can be used in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years as a symbol of quality and success.