A COMPANY racing ahead in the motor sports industry has had double cause to celebrate.
Brighouse-based Millers Oils, which supplies high-performance motor oils for racing cars around the world, coupled the presentation of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise with the unveiling of a £500,000 investment in a new research and technology centre.
The 125-year-old company staged an open day at its Rastrick Common headquarters when guests met some of the drivers who use Millers’ products and got a close-up look at their cars.
They were welcomed by joint managing director Nevil Hall, who outlined the firm’s recent investments, and chairman Andrew Miller, the great-grandson of the company’s founder, John Watson Miller.
Speakers also included motor sports enthusiast Lord Drayson, a former Government minister who has raced at venues including Le Mans and Goodwood and now heads motorsports company Drayson Racing Technology.
The drivers at the event included rally driver Callum Black, stock car racer Jacklyn Ellis, classic car racer Robin Longdon and “drift” racer Danni Murphy.
Other attractions included an F1 simulator and a Scalextric circuit. Entertainment was provided by the Paradise Steel band from Leeds.
Mr Hall said: “Over the past decade, we have invested in new offices, depots and production facilities as well as integrating two new companies into the group. We have gone from £11m to £27m turnover.”
In its most recent move, the independent company set up the research and development laboratory to develop a new generation of motorsport oils that reduce friction, engine wear and heat – thereby extending the life of key components such as engines and gearboxes and helping provide more power.
The centre enables Millers’ technical and scientific staff to measure oils for thickness, additives and oil flow through the engine. The centre carries out 400 quality assessments of its products each month.
The company, which also supplies motor oil and lubricants for trucks, classic cars, public transport, the aerospace industry and engineering, is now looking to develop similar products for those markets.
Said Mr Hall: “These products have widespread applications. It is early day yet, but we are already seeing improvements in fuel economy and emissions in our testing.”
Lord Drayson said: “This company is enjoying success 125 years after its formation and that success has been built upon understanding that you have to invest in the science behind the products.”
Turning to the Queen’s Award triumph, Lord Drayson said: “Having been a Government minister, I know how hard it is to win a Queen’s Award and what it means to the companies that achieve it.”
Millers Oils won the international trade category of industry’s top award after recording “exceptional” growth in overseas sales over the past three years.
The firm, which has about 100 employees, exports to more than 30 countries, including Taiwan, the USA, the Czech Republic, Finland and Ireland.
The award was presented to joint managing director Steve Woollven and representatives of the workforce by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Tim Hare.
Mr Woollven said: “It is a real honour to be recognised for our achievements overseas, but the recognition goes far wider than that.
“The award would not have been possible without the contribution of everyone in the business. We have people here who show massive creativity and innovation. It has been a true team effort.”
