A ST HELENS-based company which every year produces enough glass fibre cord to stretch to the moon and back twice, has received royal recognition for its continuing achievements in international trade.

NGF Europe Ltd. of Lea Green, was honoured with a Queen's Award for International Trade during a special celebratory event at the Department of Trade and Industry in London.

And managing director, David Monk, was one of 10 North West winners to be invited to the event and was congratulated by the Duke of Kent for the award.

NGF is a market leader in the manufacture and supply of rubber-impregnated glass fibre cords, mainly used to reinforce synchronous drive belts for the automotive industry. The company produces enough cord every year to stretch to the moon and back twice, or 35 times around the world!

It has achieved key supplier status with the world's largest manufacturer of timing belts and holds nearly 90 per cent of the market for all timing belt reinforcement in the automotive sector in Europe and the USA.

The award recognises the company's continuous achievement over the past six years, with overseas earnings consistently representing more than three-quarters of total sales.