Businesses from across Scotland will come together for a black-tie dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on 22 March to celebrate the entrepreneurial achievements of Scotland’s top exporters.

Exporting and international trade remain high on the Scottish Government’s economic growth agenda and the awards are about recognising the excellence in those emerging, wealth creating companies that are selling their products, services and expertise in scores of overseas markets.

Nominations for the event have surpassed expectations with 125 exporters engaging with the campaign for 2017 representing £805m in turnover and £470m of exports from Scotland.

Speaking ahead of the event, BQ managing director Bryan Hoare, said: “We’ve been delighted with the level and quality of the entries for 2017 which just shows how much export growth potential there is across Scotland.”

Paul Lewis, managing director of Scottish Enterprise International Operations, said: “Congratulations to all the shortlisted companies. It’s great to see so many high calibre companies enter the awards again this year. Scotland’s export potential is huge and that’s why we want to help as many companies as possible to reap the benefits of exporting and drive their business growth.”

Alison McGregor, CEO of HSBC Scotland, added: “This record number of nominations reflects the flourishing exporting landscape in Scotland, where we are seeing businesses of all sizes benefitting from the opportunities of international trade. We look forward to celebrating these nominations in what is going to be a fantastic evening.”

The shortlist is as follows:

E-commerce exporter of the year

The winner of this award will be a company that through e-commerce has increased brand awareness and recognition, expanded into new markets, increased sales and efficiency and improved customer service. The winner of this category must be able to demonstrate how they have used e-commerce and trading online to significantly enhance their export growth or potential for growth. The shortlist is:

• Alex Begg & Co
• TEFL Org UK
• The Lead Generation Company
• TRTL
• Unified FX

High growth exporter of the year

This accolade will be awarded to a company demonstrating impressive export growth in high growth markets (including India, China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia or Oman). This success will be measured by growth in sales and high growth market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential. The shortlist is:

• Churchill Drilling Tools
• Clyde Space
• Keith Brewery
• Online Valves
• PG Paper

Large exporter of the year

Recognising outstanding achievements by a company in any industry with a turnover greater than £15m. This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential.

• Balmoral Offshore Engineering
• JFD
• John McGavigan
• Loch Duart
• PG Paper
• Quiz

Most entrepreneurial exporter of the year

A company that has demonstrated entrepreneurial flair within their export strategy. This will be shown through an extraordinary approach to reaching new markets where creativity, innovation and tenacity has resulted in success.

• Chocolate and Love
• Churchill Drilling Tools
• Clintec
• Global Voices
• M Squared
• Schoolhill Engineering
• Scotmas Group
• Sports Labs
• St James Smokehouse
• The Lead Generation Company
• Traceall Global
• TRTL

Micro exporter of the year

Recognising outstanding achievements in export growth by a company in any industry with a turnover up to £2m. This success will be measured by growth in sales and market penetration together with the application of innovative market strategies to extend export potential. The shortlist is:

• Alan White Design
• Articulate Scotland
• Big Mouth Audio
• Chocolate and Love
• Cobra Simulation
• Eden Mill
• Keith Brewery
• Rushbrook Consultants
• Schoolhill Engineering
• TAG Digital
• TEFL Org UK
• The Lead Generation Company
• Tempest Brewing Co
• TRTL
• Unified FX
• Vehnet

Scottish export team of the year

The export team of the year award will recognise a team who can demonstrate significant added value to their business through adopting innovative techniques, personnel development measures, and successful implementation of the company's export sales strategy. It should be clear how the company has developed a team wide approach to exporting which may well extend beyond the company to distributors, agents and other third parties who will have contributed to export success. The shortlist is:

• Cooke Aquaculture Scotland
• Ecosse Subsea Systems
• Exchange Communiations
• Fathom Systems
• Loch Duart
• MADE IN SCOTLAND - Collaborative Export Solutions
• Online Valves
• Paragon Inks Holdings Ltd
• PG Paper
• Summerhall Distillery Ltd
• Suez Purification and Disinfestcion Systems

Small exporter of the year

Recognising outstanding achievements by a company in any industry with a turnover of between £2-£15m. The small exporter award will recognise a company that has demonstrated outstanding achievements in export growth. The shortlist includes: 

• Churchill Drilling Tools
• Edesix
• Exchange Communiations
• Fathom Systems
• Global Pipe Components
• Global Voices
• M Squared
• Mackies
• Mrs Tillys
• Online Valves
• Sephra Europe
• TES Electronic Solutions
• Trig Avionics
• Westerross Fisheries

Scottish exporter of the year

The overall HSBC Scottish export of the year award will be presented to a company that has made an outstanding contribution to Scotland's export profile and success. Companies must have demonstrated how they have overcome their barriers when entering new markets. The winner of this award will be selected from the winners of the above award categories and announced on the evening of the awards.

The HSBC Scottish Export Awards 2016 is being held in association with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Business Gateway.