Lord Lieutenant presents KHL Group with Queen's Award for Enterprise

The Lord Lieutenant for East Sussex, Mr Peter Field, visited Wadhurst, UK-based publishing company KHL Group to present the company with the Queen's Award for Enterprise - International Trade category on 14 July.

Her Majesty the Queen makes the Awards on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.

KHL was rewarded for bringing more than UK£ 27 million into the local economy over the last six years and creating jobs in and around Wadhurst, Tunbridge Wells, Kent and the East Sussex area.

In recognition of these achievements the company won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, the most prestigious British industry award in 2010, in the highly competitive International Trade category for continuous outstanding achievement sustained over not less than six years.

Presenting the award to KHL Group's managing director James King and editorial director Paul Marsden, the Lord Lieutenant said, "It is only the crème de la crème of British companies that get this award, which is why it is accepted worldwide as the top honour any company can get, so it's a fantastic achievement for KHL."

KHL Group's managing director James King said, "To be selected by the Prime Minister and his advisors and given the Queen's seal of approval is a fabulous accolade and something that, even to this day, we can't quite believe we have won.

"Over the past 20 years we have strived to be the best and most respected information provider in the international construction sector. And to have that success recognised in this way, in such tough market conditions, is true testimony to the KHL team, here in the UK, the USA, China, Turkey and all the global markets we have representation in."

"Key contributions to achieving the International Trade award," added Mr King, "have been pioneering initiatives into the two giant world markets of the USA and China. In North America, we now have a company that publishes two market-leading magazines, websites, newsletters and books.

"And we aim to use this company as a vehicle to launch or acquire other titles for the North and South American markets in the future," added Mr King.

KHL Group has always generated over 80% of its revenue from outside the UK. Its ten international magazines for the construction industry now reach every single country in the world and provide vehicles for global companies to reach their international target audience.

"In China, we have a Joint Venture publishing company that produces a Chinese language magazine and provides services for Chinese companies to help market their products globally. Taking early advantage of China's massive economic growth has made it KHL's third largest market this year. Having opened an office in Beijing and employed an excellent team there, KHL is now benefiting from ten years of long-term commitment to China."

Other key international markets for KHL are Germany, Scandinavia, Italy, France, South Korea, The Netherlands, Japan, Spain, Belgium and Turkey (where KHL has another JV publishing company producing a Turkish language publication).

This year's awards were announced on the Queen's birthday, 21 April, with only 95 winners of the International Trade category. The award lasts for five years and previous winners include JCB, The Premier League, BUPA, Pearson (Financial Times publisher), Du Pont, BBC Worldwide, and British Airways.

Mr King and Mr Marsden will be attending an official reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by Her Majesty The Queen later this month.

Company history

Established in 1989 by James King, KHL produced its first magazine, Construction Europe, in April 1990, with Paul Marsden as editor and James King as sales manager. Paul Marsden became a shareholder and director in 1991.The company currently employs more than 40 people.

Since 1992 KHL has also had a Dutch partner, Kenter and Co. B.V. based in Goor in The Netherlands. Tony Kenter, managing director of Kenter & Co is a board member and chairman of KHL Group.

KHL Group today is a fast-growing provider of international business information primarily aimed at the world's construction industry. The Group has six international business-to-business magazines, two US domestic magazines, and Chinese and Turkish domestic magazines.

Over the years, the introduction of seven internet sites, a specialist book shop and book publishing division, two exhibitions, five directories, and a list rental / direct mail service have all helped the successful growth of KHL Group as a full-service information provider for the international construction industry.

The main revenue stream for the company comes from display and classified advertising in the main magazine titles, but other revenue sources such as 360 marketing, bookshop sales, internet revenue, and revenue from exhibitions, are also being developed successfully.

The website KHL.com was re-launched in early 2009.