Baughurst company wins coveted trophy for enterprise

Wireless products and services manufacturer Wood & Douglas, which has its headquarters in Baughurst, received the award for boosting its exports by 20 per cent over the past financial year, with overseas trade accounting for more than 50 per cent of the company’s revenue.
The founder and managing director of Wood & Douglas, Alan Wood, said: “This award will encourage Wood & Douglas to open new global markets and continue to export British excellence in engineering around the world.
“It is something we can point to and say we are a quality focussed company. Some clients have been with us for more than 10 years and we will continue to expand on this success.”
The award recognises outstanding achievements by UK companies across three categories: international trade, innovation and sustainable development. The winners are announced annually on April 21 – the Queen’s birthday.
The company, which also has an assembly plant in Aldermaston, was launched from Mr Wood’s back room in Tadley in 1977 and now employs more than 65 people across the UK, and has a turnover of more than £6m.
“I never dreamed it would go anywhere and, 36 years later, we are still here with an estimated £92m worth of growth since 1977.”
Mr Wood said that staff were euphoric over the award and, although the company had grown, it was difficult to find staff skilled enough to support the niche products and services the company provides.
Competition for the award is fierce, and only 209 awards were granted in 2012 out of 862 entrants.