A company which specialises in power and data connections has notched up its fourth royal seal of approval.

Burland Technology Solutions at Great Blakenham, near Ipswich, was presented with its fourth King's Award for Enterprise this week.

Lord Lieutenant of Suffolk Clare, Countess of Euston - accompanied by deputies Mark Pendlington and Peter Over and Suffolk County Council chairman Liz Harsant - was there to present a signed scroll from the King.

Lady Clare Euston with Richard Vass  (Image: Lucy Taylor) Managing director Richard Vass thanked the delegation on behalf of the staff - all of whom own the majority of the business through an Employee Ownership Trust set up last year. He praised their outstanding dedication and efforts.

The company - which employs nine people - designs, manufactures and supplies connections to a host of clients including in banking, technology and retail throughout the world.

It was the second time the B Corp certified business has received a King's Award for its export achievements. in previous years it has also scooped accolades for innovation and sustainability.

Mr Vass - who previously owned the business - decided to pass control of it (51% of shares) into a trust for the benefit of all employees in July last year so that they could share directly in the future success of the business.

Among staff there to greet them was operations director Alicia Hughes, engineering director Stephen Birley and company secretary Natasha Vass.

They were accompanied by sales office managers Marco Palmieri and Keiron Kimbly-Brown , logistics manager Andrew Tanser, design engineer Olly Radley and Kirsty Hart in marketing.

Mr Vass said 80% of the company's revenues are generated from a supply chain based in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

“Culture trumps strategy every time. We all do our best to do the right thing, rather than concentrate on trying to be seen to be doing the right thing," he said.

The business was founded in 1993 and merged to form Aphel Technologies in 2000. It was sold to the Eaton Corporation in 2007 but later that year was re-established as a standalone business in Suffolk.

It enjoys revenues of around £4m - with its exports accounting for around 50% to 60% of its sales.

Peter Over and Mark Pendlington being shown the King's Award certificates (Image: Lucy Taylor) The  company believes its commitment to the principals of a circular economy have paid off and that this has netted it overseas clients wanting to "buy right and buy once".

Mr Vass said they were "honoured" to receive their fourth award, which he felt served "as a testament to the hard work, dedication, and talent of our entire team".

Richard Vass, Mark Pendlington, Peter Over and Lady Clare  (Image: Lucy Taylor) "This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to excellence and our relentless pursuit of innovation as we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the global marketplace," he said.

Lady Clare and Richard Vass holding the certificate  (Image: Lucy Taylor)