Bonnyrigg pod company shows enterprise

Bonnyrigg-based company Armadilla last week received a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of its achievement in innovation.

Archie (right) and Ross Hunter of Armadilla with one of their outdoor living spaces.

The family-owned manufacturer of eco-friendly, luxury outdoor living spaces for hotels and hospitality groups was founded in 2010 by managing director Archie Hunter, who has a background in farming and hospitality, and his son Ross Hunter, chief executive, a design engineer.

The Midlothian company now supplies clients across the UK and overseas.

The company includes the Hotelier Pod in its range of products – a five-star quality accommodation unit that lets venues create and increase outdoor bedroom space.

The features of this pod, including its design, integration of technology and modern manufacturing approach, have led to Armadilla winning the prestigious Queen’s Award in the Innovation category.

Archie Hunter, Armadilla managing director, was delighted with the award.

He said: “To receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise – the most prestigious business accolade in the country – is a tremendous honour.

“It reinforces our commitment to ongoing innovation in all aspects of our work. Thinking creatively is key to our growth, and there’s a lot more still to come.

“We have a fantastic workforce who have all contributed so much to our success and this award is superb for morale.

“It also sends a strong message to all our valued customers and to the wider market that the future is in high quality innovative products such as ours.

“Over the last decade there has been a revolution in the hospitality sector with customers seeking ever-more interesting and unusual experiences.

“Our Hotelier Pod is perfectly suited to what consumers are looking for as this ‘experiential economy’ grows.

“This pod has helped transform our business from a small cottage industry to an advanced manufacturing business dealing with high-end operators.”

Now in its 54th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are known as the most prestigious business accolades in the UK, with winning companies able to use the Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years.

Previous winners have reported benefiting from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value and a boost to staff morale.