McLaren Electronic Systems wins Queen’s Award for International Trade

The McLaren Group’s electronics business has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its work in international trade.

McLaren Electronic Systems (MESL) sells electronics, software and components internationally, with the company saying export sales are up by more than 60% since 2008.

MESL is the supplier of the official engine control unit for all teams in the Formula 1 World Championship – a contract which the company has had for 20 years - and also provide the same service to the American Nascar Sprint Cup stock car and IndyCar single-seater series’.

Outside of motorsport, the company sells its products – such as advanced hybrid and powertrain controls for high performance cars and engine control for piston-engine aircraft - to automotive, aerospace and transport industries.

Dr Peter van Manen, managing director of McLaren Electronic Systems said: “We are delighted to have been recognised in the Queen’s Awards for the growth of our international trade. We are proud that our technology is at the heart of international motor racing and that are able to translate it into other important markets.

“This is a wonderful endorsement for the reputation of McLaren and British development and manufacturing and will help energise our strategy even further to develop the business further in new markets and sectors.”

The Queen's Award has been awarded since 1965 and are given out by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.

It is McLaren's second Queen's Award having won an accolade for innovation in 2009 for its work in the development of control and data systems.