One of Bradford's top exporters is to be given a Royal seal of approval when the Duke of Kent visits West Yorkshire next month.

Schwitzer Europe, based on the city's Euroway Estate, is one of three firms the Duke will see on his July 15 visit.

The Duke will also open Carrington Wire's new factory in Elland and visit John Horsfall, of Greetland, Halifax, which makes blankets for the airline industry.

Schwitzer designs and manufacture of turbochargers for heavy duty diesel engines such as tractors and diggers.

The firm, which employs 350 people, has been noticed by the Duke because it won the Queen's Award for Export Achievement in 1979, 1984 and 1997. He is vice chairman of the British Overseas Trade Board.

Schwitzer Europe is part of a global group which is based in the USA and has seen turnover, staff and profits increase since it arrived in Bradford in 1979.

It was the last of four companies in the UK to enter the heavy duty engines turbochargers market and now has more than 25 per cent of business in that area.

Over the years the firm has built up business in 50 countries and now 80 per cent of its products are exported.

The UK arm of the group started in a Leeds warehouse in 1976. In 1979 turnover was about £4 million and this year was £38 million.

Verity Burke, the firm's marketing manager, said: "Most of the firm's exports are to Western Europe but new markets are opening up - the latest being Japan."

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