A company which helps train astronauts and the military has been nominated for the Oscar of the business world.

Visual display expert SEOS, based in Burgess Hill, hopes to be named Exporter of the Year at the National Business Awards.

News of the nomination comes as the company has announced a new contract to supply its display systems for simulators used by the United States navy.

SEOS is the only Sussex company to be nominated for the award and is up against tough competition from organisations including BBC Worldwide.

It beat off competition from hundreds of rivals to be short-listed.

SEOS co-founder Stephen Elmer said: "SEOS is delighted to have been nominated as a finalist for this prestigious award.

"We have a long history in the export market and with exports accounting for more than 80 per cent of our business it is a testament to everyone here that our achievements have been recognised."

Chairman of the National Business Awards Phil Forest said the company's reinvention had secured its nomination.

He said: "Taking a new view of the future has helped many businesses enjoy a new period of growth and profit.

"This year's highly dynamic and diverse shortlist of finalists are successfully setting new standards across every area of business and deserve to be recognised as leaders in their field."

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

The company started life in a garage in 1984.

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.

Its latest contract, announced yesterday. will see six 11ft horizontal and vertical field-of-view systems delivered to naval air stations across the US between April 2004 and March 2005.

The contract was awarded by NXL, which builds the simulators.

SEOS market development manager David Lewis said: "In this project the pilot/co-pilot separation is such that only the 11ft radius mirror would give the required optical performance.

"At SEOS, meeting the specific needs of the customer is a priority and we always adopt a flexible approach to user requirements."

The winners of the National Business Awards will be announced at a ceremony at Grosvenor House Hotel in London on November 11.

Wednesday October 01, 2003