A company is flushed with success after winning The Queen s Award for Enter-prise: Innovation. ACO Technologies, based in Shefford, has gained the prestigious award for its new high capacity surface water drainage product Qmax. It is the second time the c

A company is flushed with success after winning The Queen's Award for Enter-prise: Innovation.

ACO Technologies, based in Shefford, has gained the prestigious award for its new high capacity surface water drainage product Qmax.

It is the second time the company has achieved the accolade.

The company took two years to develop the system which represents a substantial investment.

Qmax is a completely new approach to controlling the run off surface water from large open areas such as car parks, airport runways and distribution yards. Its unique ovoid shape and high capacity allow it to quickly drain large volumes of water while protecting the main sewer system from flooding and the surrounding environment from contamination through leakage.

"It is a great honour to receive the Queen's Award for Enterprise: Innovation for a second time," said Richard Hill, managing director of ACO Technologies.

ACO Technologies received its first Queen's Award in 2001 for the combined kerbstone and drainage system ACO KerbDrain.

Made from polymer concrete, which is considerably lighter and stronger than conventional concrete, the system was developed for highways applications and is now a common sight around the country.