Newton Abbot engineering firm Centek welcomed a royal visitor and a dignitary to its base at Brunel Industrial Estate last Thursday.

The Duke of Kent, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Eric Dancer, visited the company to find out more about the innovative work it does.

The Duke was given a guided tour of the factory by managing director Tony Cutmore. key staff members were introduced t him while he inspected some of the design and unique manufacturing processes which have contributed to Centek's success.

Among the staff presented to the Duke were Cliff Berry, Andy Jenner, Mike and Ben Cutmore, Andy West, John Pearson, Andy Boulcott and Stu Forrester.

Guests included Newton Abbot mayor Cllr Carol Bunday, the chairman of Teignbridge Council, Cllr Stephen Purser, and executives from Halliburton, an oil service company. 

The Duke unveiled a plaque commemorating his visit and was presented with his coat of arms etched in steel as a demonstration of Centek's laser technology.

Centek Limited, the market leader in oil and gas casing centralizers, won the Queen's Award for outstanding achievement in International Trade for 2008 and the Queen's Award for Innovation in 2009.

Centek manufactures casing centralizers, which are used in oil and gas drilling to position casing down the drilled hole prior to cementation. 

'The visit of HRH The Duke of Kent and the Lord Lieutenant is a great honour for Centek and the people who work here,' said Mr Cutmore, managing director of Centek Limited.

'It is recognition of our two Queen's awards and our continuing contribution to both the international oil industry and the local economy. We would also like to thank our loyal customers for making our ten years in operation a success.'

The company was founded in 2001 and now employs 75 people, exporting to 42 countries with patents held in 16 countries.