Issued on behalf of: Titan Steel Wheels Ltd part of Titan Europe Plc
Date: Tuesday 3 June 2008

HRH Duke of Kent presents Queen’s Award to Titan Steel Wheels

Cookley, Kidderminster, Worcestershire, England: Tuesday 3 June 2008:
Titan Steel Wheels Limited (TSW) welcomed His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent who presented TSW with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Innovation.

HRH The Duke of Kent met a number of staff at Cookley site, including General Manager Engineering, Steve Arnold. Local resident Steve developed the award winning product, known as an IF series 3-piece wheel, and has worked at TSW’s Cookley site for 40 years.

HRH The Duke of Kent was joined by a Royal Party, which included Captain Maitland-Makgill Crighton, Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Michael Brinton and the Mayor of Kidderminster, Cllr. Marcus Hart. The party visited the Cookley site where, following a factory tour and presentation, HRH The Duke of Kent presented the Queen’s Award to Chris Akers, Managing Director of TSW in front of members of the 450 strong workforce who joined in the celebrations to mark this achievement.

TSW, a leading manufacturer of wheels for earthmoving machines, industrial material handling machines and mobile cranes has been awarded the prestigious accolade “Queen’s Award for Enterprise” for the second consecutive year; last year, TSW picked up the Queen’s Award for International Trade.

The IF series wheel that earned the 2008 innovation award meets demanding technical requirements from mobile crane manufacturers who require reduced weight and greater dimensional accuracy for high speed applications. The wheel is the result of continuous development of its three-piece wheels. Over £3 million has been invested in tools, equipment and validation testing to produce the IF series wheel.

John Wheelwright, Commercial Director, Titan Europe Plc, the parent Company listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange commented:

“Everyone at TSW is to be congratulated for their hard work and determination which has undoubtedly contributed to our success. The Queen’s Award is internationally recognised and it serves as both testament to the great workforce we have here and the strong partnerships they and indeed the rest of the Group, has built up over many years with our customers across the globe”

“Through innovation and constant improvement across the various facets of the business, we will continue to build on our leading market position.”

Chris Akers added:

“This outstanding achievement comes as the result of our renowned technical ability and innovative approach to problem-solving. Therefore, this award is testimony to the continued efforts of the dedicated, talented and determined workforce at Titan Steel Wheels. It also demonstrates the continued strength of British industry and how the West Midlands continues to contribute to this strength.”

HRH The Duke of Kent said:

“Titan has won three Queen’s Awards : a tremendous achievement and proves that any company which succeeds in doing this can compete with the best in the world.

“A particular source of congratulations is winning an award for Innovation; there are fewer of these and Titan has joined a select band.”

Enquiries:
Chris Akers, Managing Director, Titan Steel Wheels
John Wheelwright, Commercial Director, Titan Europe Plc
Tel: +44 (0) 1562 850561


Fiona Tooley
Keith Gabriel
Citigate Dewe Rogerson Ltd
Tel:+44 (0) 121 455 8370