From ethical metal recycling to AI-driven edtech and digital identity, twelve exceptional UK-based SMEs have been named today as winners of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) 2025 Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards.
Now in their third year, the awards celebrate the international growth of the UK’s most dynamic small businesses.
Recognised in the Agriculture, Food and Drink category, the Gerald McDonald Group is a leading B2B supplier of premium fruit juices and concentrates to the global food and drink industry. As a large, independent juice supplier and blender, it processes and supplies an extensive range of products including citrus, exotic fruits and innovative botanical derivatives to manufacturers worldwide.
Established in 1917 and based in Basildon since 2000, the Gerald McDonald Group leans on over 100 years of experience to export high quality, trusted products globally, and the award highlights the strength of international partnerships formed. As it continues to expand its global reach through seeking contracts to enter international markets, Gerald McDonald and Company will deepen its partnerships with existing trusted clients and reinforce its reputation in the global food and drink industry.
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports, said:
“The innovation and entrepreneurship shown by the businesses entering the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards demonstrate the best of British business.
“When small businesses export, the whole economy benefits. By celebrating the outstanding international trade achievements of UK SMEs, we hope to encourage more businesses to get on the exporting ladder and take the best of Britain to markets around the world.”
This year’s winners were chosen from hundreds of entries across 12 sector-focused categories, including two new areas—Digital & Technology and Export Services—introduced to reflect evolving global opportunities. Each category includes one winner and up to three highly commended businesses.
In the Digital & Technology category, Porotech stood out for its AR and AI-powered wearables, with 90% of revenue from exports and partnerships with Amazon, Microsoft and Foxconn. Twin Science & Robotics, winner in Education & EdTech, exports to over 40 countries and has seen 70% annual revenue growth through its STEM kits focused on AI, robotics and climate literacy.
Sustainability also remains a major theme across the winners. Osbit, winner in Low Carbon Energy, delivers mission-critical offshore wind technology, with 65% of revenue from exports. Meanwhile, Avon Specialty Metals, recognised in Advanced Manufacturing & Construction, recycles high-performance metals and alloys and has grown international sales by 192% over three years.
Winners like Gerald McDonald & Company (Agriculture, Food & Drink) and LIMB-art (Healthcare) underscore the global demand for British-made, high-quality products. From innovative prosthetics to premium fruit derivatives, these SMEs prove that exporting drives resilience, expansion and innovation.
