Three photonics companies have received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, the UK’s most coveted award for business success. Edinburgh Instruments of Livingston, a photonics and electro-optical scientific instrumentation manufacturer, received the honor for its sustained international growth. It employs around 70 people and is on target to increase revenue by £1.3 million to £9.5 million this year. “We are deeply honored to have won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise,” said CEO Alan Faichney. “Our success can be attributed to the specialized skills and commitment from the entire team at Edinburgh Instruments who have the vision to design and create our wide range of photonic and sensor products used in research and industrial facilities across the globe.” Laser Quantum of Cheshire also received the award for enterprise. The solid-state laser manufacturer was recognized for providing laser technology equipment and services to the aerospace, medicine, research and biomedical sectors. The company combines its technology and commerce with offices in three countries and distributors in 36 others. Fianium of Southampton received the award in the innovation category for its development of the WhiteLase supercontinuum fiber laser. The company, which has produced the light sources since 2004, estimates that over the past eight years it has installed at least 1000 of the products worldwide. “The Queen’s Award for Enterprise is widely regarded as the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a British company and is the UK’s top award for business performance,” said Anatoly Grudinin, Fianium’s managing director. “Receiving this accolade is a well-deserved reward for our talented team’s hard work and dedication over the last eight years.” The awards are made each year by the queen on the advice of the prime minister and an advisory committee, which includes representatives of government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions. They are given solely on merit. The number presented each year is not preset and depends on the quality of the applications received. Four photonics companies received the award in 2011. (See: Photonics Companies Win Queen’s Awards) For more information, visit: www.edinst.com, www.laserquantum.com or www.fianium.com