The celebration event, held on September 19 at the company's headquarters on Oxford Street Industrial Estate, Bilston brought together industry partners, local dignitaries, and stakeholders to honour seven decades of engineering excellence.
The highlight of the afternoon was the official presentation of the prestigious King's Award by the Lord Lieutenant for the West Midlands Derrick Anderson, recognising the company's achievements in international markets.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker attended the event and delivered a keynote speech celebrating the company's contribution to the region's manufacturing heritage.
The celebration also featured a company heritage presentation outlining Bowers & Jones' journey from its founding in 1955 to its current position as a world-renowned leader in the metal forming industry.
Under the leadership of Managing Director Jane Sommerville and Directors Nicola Owen and James Owen, the business has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. The company has increased turnover from £2.6 million in 2021 to £4.8 million in 2024, with 80% of revenue generated from export markets including the USA, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, and Mexico.
Bowers & Jones Managing Director Jane Sommerville said: "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 commented: “Congratulations to Bowers & Jones on 70 years of manufacturing in the Black Country and on being recognised for their global contribution with the King’s Award.
“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. That's why I'm focused on making sure our business community can access the funding and expert advice they need to get firing on all cylinders.”
Bowers & Jones has received numerous accolades in recent years, including Made in the Midlands Export Business of the Year, Express & Star Small Business of the Year, and Black Country Chamber Manufacturing & Engineering awards.
The King's Award for Enterprise is the UK's most prestigious business award, recognising outstanding achievement in international trade, innovation, sustainable development, and promoting opportunity through social mobility.
