WITH the search for the county's top companies under way following the launch of the Hampshire Business Awards, the Daily Echo is looking at each of the three categories This week, the RBS International Trade Award is going under the microscope.

Established four years ago, it aims to name and reward those companies which keep international trade at the forefront of the Hampshire business agenda.

Mark Price, RBS regional director for corporate banking, pictured, said: "In the first three years, our award has succeeded in finding three great examples of businesses which excel in international trade - Hamble-based Point Source, SP Systems from the Isle of Wight and Wartsila Propulsion UK, based in Havant.

"Although they operate in different sectors, they are united by the way that they are successfully selling the unique skills and talents of Hampshire overseas."

He points to last year's winner, marine company Wartsila, as an example, claiming it isn't just leading but dominating its field overseas - a great example of how international trade can help businesses reap rewards.

Mark said: "The company's cutting-edge technology had helped it to win a 100 per cent share of some of the markets it exports to and it had managed to successfully enter promising new markets. We want to hear from companies with similarly interesting stories about how international trade has emerged as a major part of their strategy."

For details of how to get your company involved in the RBS International Trade Award, the KPMG Company of the Year or the Bond Pearce Innovation Award, log on to www.thisissouthampton.co.uk and click the link to the Hampshire Business Awards, or call Julie Myhill at RBS on 023 8024 2161.