A company which started in a garage and now helps train astronauts and soldiers has won an award at the Oscars of the business world.

Visual display expert SEOS, based in Burgess Hill, was named exporter of the year at the National Business Awards on Tuesday.

It marked a brilliant double for the company, which was highly commended at an international awards ceremony the previous evening.

The success comes a month after SEOS announced a new contract to supply its display systems for simulators used by the United States navy.

SEOS was the only Sussex company up for the award and had tough competition from organisations including BBC Worldwide.

Stephen Elmer, co-founder of SEOS, who collected the award on behalf of the company, said: "I am delighted SEOS has been recognised in this way.

"Export is, and will continue to be, an important part of our business and it is a testament to every one of my colleagues that we have won this award."

SEOS is a world leader in visual display systems and employs 138 people at its headquarters in Edward Way, Burgess Hill.

The company started in a garage in 1984 and its first year's revenue was a meagre £12,500.

Today, every US astronaut trains in simulators fitted with SEOS equipment.

The company also provides simulator training for pilots and bus, train and truck drivers.

SEOS was among 24 winners of the National Business Awards which took place at London's Grosvenor House Hotel. More than 1,900 companies were nominated.

John Allwood, executive vice-president of award sponsors Orange UK, said: "It is a commonly-held view that for every successful business, someone once had to make a courageous decision.

"Each business featured in this year's 2003 National Business Awards can testify to that."

It has been a superb week for SEOS which was won more honours at the International Business Awards on Monday.

At a ceremony at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, the company was highly commended in the corporate exporter of the year category.

This event, run by Trade Partners UK in association with Export Times, is part of a Government initiative to reward UK exporters.

A panel of independent judges, including City fund managers, business leaders and representatives from the media, judged the entries on export growth, profit and market coverage.

David Lewis, SEOS's market development manager, was at the gala dinner.

He said: "The standard of all the finalists was exceptional. I am extremely proud of SEOS's achievement and this reinforces our commitment to the export market."

Thursday November 13, 2003