North West company Oliver Valvetek, part of the Oliver Valves Group, has received a King’s Award for Enterprise for demonstrating outstanding innovation in the design of a new type of seal for use on subsea valves.

Unique in the market, the seal delivers significantly enhanced performance, ensuring valves can operate reliably at working pressures from 5,000 to 20,000 psi and at water depths of up to 4,000 metres.

The innovation has already generated more than £6.8 million in orders since launching three years ago, further reinforcing Oliver Valvetek’s reputation and credibility as a trusted partner for subsea applications.

Established in 1979 by engineer Dr Michael Oliver OBE DL, who remains actively involved in day-to-day operations as chairman, Oliver Valves is one of just 185 organisations nationally to be recognised in the Awards, which are now in their 60th year.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise remain the UK’s most prestigious business accolade, with successful organisations entitled to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years, signalling excellence to customers, partners and global markets.

Nick Howard, engineering director, who played a central role in the product’s development, said:

“The subsea market is extremely niche and success relies on long-term relationships and technical credibility. We have solved a recognised problem and turned a market challenge into a long-term competitive advantage.

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been recognised with this King’s Award. Apart from the commercial impact, the success of the project has fostered immense pride and motivation across the entire team.”

Dr Michael Oliver, chairman, added:

“This is the fourth time we have received such recognition, having picked up a Queen’s Award for Export in 2012, a Queen’s Award for Export in 2022 for Oliver Valvetek and a King’s Award for Export in 2025 for Oliver Valves.”

“This latest accolade is testament to the excellence, creativity and tenacity of our engineers.

“Personally, I’m extremely pleased that a business which started in my one-car garage in Cheshire 45 years ago is still privately owned and able to compete on a global scale.”

Employing more than 250 people and with an annual turnover of £100 million, Oliver Valves has four divisions and seven sales and distribution centres serving more than 50 countries.

Acknowledged as a world leader in the design and production of precision valves, the company works predominantly in the energy sector with customers requiring mission-critical valves for pipelines transporting oil, gas, hydrogen and chemicals in subsea environments.