By Beverly Rademacher

Copyright expressandstar

The Bilston-based business, which specialises in designing, manufacturing and refurbishing equipment for the metal forming industry, was honoured in the international trade category of the award scheme in recognition of its significant growth in exports, in particular to North America.

Lord-Lieutenant of the West Midlands Derrick Anderson CBE, His Majesty The King’s representative in the region, presented the firm with the award at a ceremony on Friday September 19 attended by West Midlands’ Mayor Richard Parker and other invited guests.

The celebration marked the firm’s milestone anniversary, which comes after an incredible period of achievement since managing director Jane Sommerville and finance director Nicola Owen acquired the business in 2020.

It was also a thank you to hardworking staff who have helped them on their journey.

Under their ownership, the company has more than doubled its turnover – with 80 per cent of the firm’s sales now coming from international markets.

Jane Sommerville, managing director at Bowers & Jones, said it was a “tremendous achievement” for the business to receive the King’s Award especially given the challenges they have faced since taking over the business including surviving the Covid-19 pandemic and relocating the premises from Featherstone, in South Staffordshire, to Bilston in the West Midlands during lockdown.

“We’ve turned the business around from the management buy out in 2020 during Covid when it could have very easily disappeared,” she said.

“We had faith in the business and ourselves, colleagues, employees, customers and suppliers and it’s been fantastic, we’ve done a really good job and we’ve been rewarded with ultimately the King’s Award.”

She added: “Reaching our 70th anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust our customers place in us. Receiving the King’s Award for International Trade makes this milestone even more special. It recognises not just our export success, but our commitment to British manufacturing excellence on the global stage. As we look to the future, we remain focused on innovation, quality, and building lasting partnerships with customers worldwide.”

West Midlands’ Mayor Richard Parker, who gave a keynote speech at the celebration, congratulated the company on its milestone anniversary and King’s Award win – adding: “Their success over seven decades is an inspiration to the many small and medium-sized businesses across our region, showing how to thrive, grow, and create jobs.

“By helping such businesses unlock the government-backed investment they need, we can generate the momentum needed to grow our region’s economy at pace.”

Bowers & Jones, established in 1955, has grown to become a world leader in the design, manufacture and refurbishment of roll tooling and rolling mill products.

It specialises in manufacturing tools used to roll long products such as welded and seamless tube and pipe, steel sections and complex copper extrusions.

And, more recently, its rolls have been used in the manufacture of non-steel applications including electrical conduction and heating cable.

The firm was one of 12 companies in the West Midlands to receive The King’s Awards for Enterprise in 2025 – the highest official UK award for British businesses and a globally recognised mark of achievement, which can help recipients to generate new opportunities for business growth.

The award has been the “cherry on top” of the cake after a year of winning accolades, Jane said.

In 2024 Bowers & Jones won the Manufacturing and Engineering award at the Black Country Chamber Business Awards, as well as being highly commended in the International Trade and Business of the Year categories.

In April this year the firm, which is based on the Oxford Street Industrial Estate, in Vulcan Road, was crowned Export Business of the Year at the Insider Media Made in the Midlands Awards 2025.

And in June this year the company, which employs 17 staff members, was named Small Business of the Year at the Express & Star Business Awards.

Going forwards the company will be looking to pick up more business in Europe, where Bowers & Jones already performs strongly, as well as expanding to the Middle East and Far East to help mitigate the effects of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

Jane told the Express & Star the 25 per cent tariffs imposed on steel exports into the US has made it “impossible” to continue its success streak of exporting to the States, although trade with Canada and Mexico remains unaffected, so they will have to seek out other markets.

The company’s resilience, adaptability and top customer service – strengths that have kept the firm alive for 70 years – make it well-placed to navigate further choppy waters that may lie ahead.