THREE Oxfordshire companies were named today as winners of the Queen's Award for Export Achievement.

Crystalox, of Wantage; Owen Mumford, of Woodstock and Software 2000, of Oxford Science Park, were among 82 export award winners nationwide.

Crystalox, which employs 32 people, has won the prize for the second time. It won its first in 1990.

The firm makes equipment for growing silicon crystals used, for example, in solar cells. Exports to Japan alone have grown from nothing to nearly £2m in less than five years.

Owen Mumford's Medical Division was established in 1952 and now employs 250 people. It specialises in the design, development and manufacture of small medical devices and disposables, capillary blood sampling and self-injection of pharmaceuticals. Exports have doubled over the last three years and represent nearly 80 per cent of total sales.

Software 2000, with 50 employees, has been in business since 1984. It develops computer drivers that convert information on screen to a format that can transfer it on to a printer.

The company has won the award for the second time in two years. In 1994 it won a Prince of Wales Award for Innovation and it was the Oxfordshire Business of the Year in 1997.

Three representatives from each winning firm will be invited to a Buckingham Palace reception. Awards will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant of the county.

The awards are made by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister, assisted by an advisory committee. Former Witney MP Lord Hurd sits on the committee.

To be considered for an award next year, companies should contact: The Queen's Award Office, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W9SS.

Story date: Wednesday 21 April

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