A record number of local firms have applied for the East Midlands International Business Awards 2010 with 16 firms shortlisted across the region.

Leicestershire has the highest number of firms on the shortlist with seven and is the only county to be represented in all categories.

The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) awards celebrate success of companies that have excelled in international trade, demonstrating the importance of exporting for business growth and sustainability.

Almost 100 companies from throughout the region applied for these awards, covering seven categories, including one for the overall winner. The awards have benefited previous winners by boosting staff morale and being seen as mark of quality for potential clients. 

Northamptonshire's Bambino Mio is shortlisted for both the Established Exporter award in the worldwide category and also the International Business Communications Award - an accolade they have won for the previous two years. The firm manufacturer of reusable nappies which are sold in 70  countries worldwide through a network of distributors.

Leicester organic baby clothes and toy producer Nature's Purest is up for a double award after being been selected for both the New Exporter award and also Young Exporter of the Year, one of this year's new categories, for exporters under 35. The company has several worldwide distributers for its products which are all made from ethically produced, natural cotton.

Cromwell Tools Ltd also from Leicester is shortlisted for two awards - the Established Exporter award for BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) and the worldwide category. Cromwell is a leading independent supplier of maintenance, repair and operations type products, with global distribution channels in South Africa, India, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia and across Europe.

Another double nominated company, Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studio from Newark, Nottinghamshire is up for the Young Exporter of the Year and Established Exporter Award for BRIC countries.  Ingrid Pears designs and creates unique glassware, from vases to paperweights to sculptural glass art.  Her work has sold throughout the world and was shortlisted for other categories in both the 2008 and 2009 awards. 

Peter Hogarth, UKTI's East Midlands International Trade Director, said: 

"We've been delighted with the record number of applications this year, particularly as the standard has been exceptionally high throughout, making the shortlisting selection very, very tough.

"It's encouraging that so many of our local businesses have continued to grow, by maximising overseas sales which is so vital to the economic recovery.  We also noted that they were several applicants who were relatively new to business, yet were succeeding overseas.

"This shows that the traditional view of having to build your domestic market first to give a strong foundation on which to build exports is not always the case - some firms are now born to be global."

Full nomination list is as follows:

New Exporter Award 

Carley Consult Ltd (Retford)  CommAgility Ltd (Loughborough) Nature's Purest (Leicester)  Re-Ball Ltd (Hinckley) 

Young Exporter Award (New category)

Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studio (Newark) Nature's Purest (Leicester) RDC Aviation (Nottingham) 

International Business Communications Award 

Bambino Mio Ltd (Brixworth, Northamptonshire) Househam Sprayers Ltd (Lincoln) Nylacast Ltd (Leicester) 

Innovative Exporter (New category)

Cool Milk EU Developments Ltd (Lincoln) Mercian Cycles Ltd (Derby) Wernick Musical Instruments (Leicester) 

Established Exporter - Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC)

Cromwell Tools Ltd (Leicester) Ingrid Pears Hot Glass Studio (Newark) Zeeko Ltd (Coalville) 

Established Exporter - Worldwide 

Bambino Mio Ltd (Northampton) Cromwell Tools Ltd (Leicester) 

Dynex Semiconductor Ltd (Lincoln) NetSupport Ltd (Market Deeping, Lincolnshire) 

The winners, including the overall International Business of the Year, will be announced at a lunch event at The Priest House, Castle Donington on Friday 3 December. 

In 2008/09 UK Trade & Investment East Midlands helped more than 2,500 companies.

UKTI's advisers can help UK businesses to decide if they are ready for export, investigate markets for them, find potential business partners, provide grants for firms to go overseas and support businesses once they are there.