The team behind Turntide Technologies’ Hyperdrive battery systems have won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for its innovative technology that is helping to decarbonise industry and transportation.
Left to right: Chris Pennison (Turntide), Cllr Alison Smith, Mayor of Sunderland, Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear Lucy Winskell OBE, Paul Turbitt (Turntide) and Mark Cox (Turntide) with Turntide’s Queen’s Award winning battery technology. Image Credit: Turntide Technologies
The award was presented to Turntide by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lucy Winskell OBE in a special ceremony at the company’s Sunderland facility, which was also attended by the Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Alison Smith.
The Queen’s Awards scheme was instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965 and the first awards were made in 1966.
Turntide’s Hyperdrive battery technology is a key component of the Turntide Electrification solution to help commercial vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) shift from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric vehicles (EVs). This transition is necessary to decarbonise industry and transportation in compliance with international climate accords.
Developed by Hyperdrive Innovation, which was acquired by Turntide in 2021 as part of a £100m investment to form its transport business unit, the battery technology is powering electric vehicles across commercial and industrial sectors. Clients include Hitachi Rail, JCB and Snorkel.
Alongside the batteries, Turntide Electrification components also include inverters, motors, pumps, and thermal components, which are currently in use in a broad range of vehicle types, including off-highway construction and agricultural vehicles, trucks, buses, two and three wheel passenger and last-mile delivery vehicles, marine and rail.
Chris Pennison, Turntide’s Senior Vice President Strategic Operations, said: “We were very honoured to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear to our facility in Sunderland to receive this highly prestigious award. This is an immensely proud moment for the company and our highly talented team of engineers and operational staff.
“It is testament to the innovation-led approach we instilled in the business when we launched as Hyperdrive in 2012, subsequently attracting Turntide to make it a key part of its transport business unit. Now, as part of Turntide, the technology can have a greater and wider impact in the decarbonisation of industry and our collective ambitions to achieve net zero at a global level.”
Mark Cox, General Manager of Turntide’s transport business, said: “Winning the Queen’s Award for Enterprise is a tremendous honour, and it is especially meaningful because it recognises the importance of our efforts to address climate change. As a company, we are committed to doing our part to help the UK and the world meet ambitious carbon emissions reduction targets. The Queen’s Award serves as a reminder of the vital role that businesses play in supporting the global climate change agenda, and it inspires us to continue working towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future.”
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear, Lucy Winskell OBE, said: “The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is the most prestigious award for UK business, designed to recognise and encourage outstanding achievements in fields such as innovation.
“It is with great pride that I present the Queen’s Award to Turntide because innovation is a cornerstone of British industry and the team behind the Hyperdrive battery are a great example of the tenacity and creativity that can have a global impact.”
Mayor of Sunderland, Cllr Alison Smith said: “We can be very proud of this Queen’s award as it’s a significant achievement.
“It shows how companies in our city and region continue to be at the centre of the developing low-carbon economy.
“We have a reputation for supplying, manufacturing and innovating the best, and now this award is prestigious recognition for Turntide - well done to everyone.”