A COMPANY which was started by one man in a garage and became a world leader in its field has received a Queen’s Award.

The accolade for BOFA International, which makes fume and dust extraction technology, comes in the Poole business’s 30th year.

It has won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise (Innovation) for the development of its Intelligent Operating (iQ) System,

The technology is credited with transforming the way organisations can protect the health of employees and improve production processes, through more effective extraction of airborne contaminants.

Tony Lockwood, managing director of BOFA, said: “We are very proud of being a successful British manufacturer, and to receive this recognition in our 30th year is a fantastic achievement and testament to the hard work of everyone at the company.”

BOFA was founded by David Cornell in 1987, in his double garage. It now employs more than 200 people at Creekmoor Industrial Estate, with offices in Germany and the US.

Its work developing fume extraction system has earned it multiple awards, including a Queen’s Award for Export in 2012. It serves sectors including laser, electronics, mechanical engineering, printing, 3D printing, medical, pharmaceutical, dental and beauty, in more than 100 countries.

The IQ system improved extraction efficiency through enhancements including independent filter status monitoring and remote data analysis. It claims to reduce the risk of production downtime and lower the lifetime cost of technology.

Mr Lockwood said: “BOFA started as a family business and we have continued to thrive through investing in research and development, empowering our people and by delivering exceptional service to our customers. It’s a winning ethos that will carry forward into the next 30 years.”

In 2015, the business was bought by its management in a £23million deal, paving the way for further expansion under a team led by Mr Lockwood.

BOFA is among 176 businesses nationwide celebrating success in the Queen’s Awards scheme, now in its 51st year.

Winners can display the Queen’s Awards emblem for five years and enjoy a reception at Buckingham Palace. Nearly 75 per cent of past winners say Queen’s Award certification has helped increase international sales.