Red Fox ID, specialist in automatic vehicle detection and classification technology, has won two prestigious UK business awards for innovation and for international trade.
The company, a subsidiary of tolling and enforcement specialist Quarterhill, has been recognised by the King’s Awards for Enterprise scheme, which highlights outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
More than 250 companies were given awards in 2024 – but only five received trophies in two categories. Red Fox ID is one of them.
The firm’s significant overseas market presence and “exceptional growth in international sales over three years” have earned it the King’s Award for International Trade.
Its Quantum system – which brings together real-time data interpretation software and Lidar sensors - has warranted the Innovation award. Red Fox says the solution has "substantially enhanced tolling efficiency and accuracy", and reflects its commitment to R&D.
"This is a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and ingenuity of our business,” said Steve Bird, CEO of Red Fox.
“The awards provide us with global recognition of achievement and improve our commercial prospects in a tough, competitive world” Steve Bird, Red Fox ID
“The King's Awards are the pinnacle of achievement for any British company. As is to be expected with an award of this calibre, the bar is set very high, and an award for International Trade is a proof statement that our organisation has achieved outstanding, year-on-year growth in overseas earnings. We have also been very fortunate to be awarded a second award, this time for Innovation. Our Lidar-based vehicle detection and classification system has been recognised as truly innovative.”
Bird says the amount of work required to prepare a submission is “considerable”. But he adds: “For an award of this significance I would not expect anything less. The awards provide us with global recognition of achievement and improve our commercial prospects in a tough, competitive world. The part I like the most is the huge boost to staff morale and company pride. The awards are a collective achievement and everyone can be proud of the part they played.”
The King’s Awards were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed last year to reflect His Majesty King Charles' desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses.
The programme, now in its 58th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.
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King’s Awards for Enterprise
So what hoops do UK firms have to jump through to be awarded these prestigious trophies?
International Trade
Companies must:
• have made a minimum of £100,000 in overseas sales in the first year of entry and show year-on-year growth
• prove ‘outstanding growth’ in overseas earnings relative to business size and sector
• prove steep year-on-year growth (without dips) in overseas sales over three years - or substantial year-on-year growth (without dips) over six years
Innovation
Companies must:
• have an innovation that has not been sold before and has been available on the market for at least two years
• have recovered all the investments made or show that the innovation will recover its full costs in future
• show outstanding commercial success as a result of innovation between two to five years
