Rolls-Royce receives engineering award

A Royal Academy of Engineering product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 16, 2008

Rolls-Royce received an award for its "contribution to technological and commercial excellence in engineering in Britain and around the world".

The Royal Academy of Engineering has awarded one of its highest accolades to Rolls-Royce.

On 14th January, Rolls-Royce became the first company to receive the President's Medal for particular initiative in promoting excellence in engineering.

Instigated in 1987, the medal has previously only been presented to individuals.

Lord Browne of Madingley, President of the Academy, said: "Over the years, many engineers from Rolls Royce have won awards made by this Academy".

"We decided to now award the President's Medal to the company as a whole in recognition of its sustained contribution to technological and commercial excellence in engineering in Britain and around the world".

Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce Chief Executive, said: "Rolls-Royce is greatly honoured to receive the President's medal and the recognition it gives to the excellence of the company's engineers over many generations".

"Engineering is vital to the UK's competitiveness and the Royal Academy of Engineering's very valuable work is helping to inspire the next generation of engineers".

Rolls-Royce offers power systems and services for the global civil and defence aerospace, marine and energy markets.

The group has an annual turnover of more than GBP7 billion and a record order book of over GBP35 billion.

Some 87% of its sales are to destinations outside the UK.

Rolls-Royce has 54,000 gas turbines in service globally and is now the world's number two aero engine company in both civil and defence aerospace.

The Trent family of engines is particularly successful.

Trent engines are the world market leaders for powering Airbus and Boeing's modern wide-bodied aircraft and the marine Trent powers both of the US navy's new programmes, the DDG-1000 and the Littoral Combat Ship.

The industrial Trent generates electricity and pumps gas in a growing number of world-wide locations.

The success of Rolls-Royce is based upon its commitment to excellence in engineering and to outstanding leadership sustained over many years.

In the next five years it is likely to spend over GBP3 billion on R and D.

The success of its collaboration with universities, through its University Technology Centres, is the envy of other companies worldwide.

Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson, said "As a leader in technological advances and engineering excellence, Rolls-Royce has improved the safety, efficiency and economy of aviation around the globe".

"It has also established one of the most successful examples of university-industry collaboration in engineering in the world".

Professor Colin Humphreys, Goldsmiths' Professor of Materials Science at the University of Cambridge, says "In our schools, the exciting-edge technology of Rolls-Royce has attracted many pupils into engineering and the Rolls-Royce Science Prise is helping our science teachers to inspire scientists of the future".

"It is hugely appropriate to award the President's Medal to this outstandingly successful engineering company that is 'simply the best'".