Zeeko's managing director, Richard Freeman, is pictured in
the background receiving the award from Lady Gretton in the
presence of many of the staff and company shareholders. After the
speeches, the Lord Lieutenant toured the manufacturing facility and
the event concluded with lunch.
On 3rd October, the Lord Lieutenant of Leicestershire, Lady
Gretton, presented Coalville-based Zeeko with its Queen's Award for
Innovation 2011.
A world leader in designing and building machines for polishing
of high-precision, freeform surfaces such as telescope lens
segments, the company won the award for its Optic Fabrication
Centre, a corrective polisher with integrated measuring capability.
For the first time, it allows a user to progress a precision
component from start to finish without removing it from the
machine, enhancing accuracy and minimising the risk of damage.
Zeeko plans to move its headquarters and factory to Leicester
Science Park, next to the National Space Centre, by the end of
2012. The purpose-built, 20,000 sq ft freehold building will
represent an investment of £2.2 million and will be double
the size of the company's existing premises.