The Warwick designers who have made an international impact

And now Warwick-based product design consultancy DCA Design International has received The Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its achievements in international trade.

Presenting the award was Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne. He said: “Her Majesty has asked me to present this award to DCA for the longstanding contribution they have made to this country’s export trade, and to the international clientele they have built up over the years.”

Ranked as the UK’s number one product design consultancy for seven consecutive years by Design Week magazine, the firm has also recently been awarded a Plimsoll Award for Outstanding Company for 2012.

DCA’s managing director Robert Woolston said: “You may not have heard of us, but you will certainly be familiar with some of the iconic and durable products we have designed, such as the Stanley knife, the BT KX phone boxes (pictured right) and London Underground Central Line trains. The scope and impact of our work continues to grow, now across an international stage.”

In addition to its existing offices in Warwick’s Church Street, Market Place and Hiron Way, DCA has recently added a fourth site to its growing Warwick campus. Brook Hall, a former Victorian Baptist church in central Warwick, houses a new studio for 30 people.

“As we expand towards 150 staff in Warwick, rather than relocate to a single building on an industrial estate, we are creating a DCA ‘campus’ across the centre of town in an interesting mix of buildings.” said Mr Woolston.

The award-winning firm currently employs a team of over 120 specialist researchers, industrial designers, mechanical, electronic and software engineers, prototype technicians, project managers and administrative specialists – all based in the town.

Mr Woolston added: “We are deeply honoured to be recognised in this manner and would like to thank all of our staff and clients for making our success in international trade and this award possible.”