A SMALL company based in Emersons Green has seen its big impression on the sports world recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise.
The Pitchmark Group has been recognised for its excellence in the awards’ International Trade category.
Since it was founded in 2010 by former groundsman Mark Rodman and his wife Sue, the group has become a market leader in marking sports pitches around the world.
Its clients range from grassroots local clubs to Premier League teams and international arenas, including Wembley Stadium.
The company’s products marked out pitches at football tournaments including the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 and Qatar in 2022, and the Euro 2016 in France.
Employing 29 people, it remains a family business, with Mark and Sue’s sons Tim and Darren the managing director and sales & marketing director respectively.
Originally based in Coalpit Heath, the company moved to the Emerald Park East industrial estate to expand.
The Pitchmark Group was one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise this year.
The award was presented in a ceremony at its Longmead Road base in October by Roger Deeks, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, representing the King, accompanied by South Gloucestershire Council chair Franklin Owusu Antwi and Deputy Lieutenant Susan Hewson-Lowe.
Pitchmark won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2019. The awards were renamed last year following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The programme, now in its 58th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country.
Awards are valid for five years, and recipients are entitled to use an emblem on their packaging and other materials, as well as flying a flag at their premises.
To be eligible for the international trade award, a business must have made a minimum of £100,000 in overseas sales in the first year of its entry, prove it has achieved outstanding growth in overseas earnings relative to the business size and sector, and show consistent growth over a number of years.
Tim said: “We are incredibly proud to have received the King’s Award for International Trade, having previously received the Queen’s Award 5 years ago.
“The award is testament to the team and proves that the business continues to grow and prosper.”