Downpatrick-based business Lowden Guitars has received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
Founder of the business, George Lowden has been making guitars with his team for 45 years and also collaborated with international singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran on the Sheeran by Lowden brand in early 2019.
George taught himself to hand-craft guitars and started doing so in 1974. Some of his creations have been played by industry-acclaimed musicians such as Damien Rice, Eric Clapton and Northern Ireland’s own Gary Lightbody from Snow Patrol.
George said that receiving the award, which celebrates the success of innovative businesses, “has been a milestone moment” and has “taken a lot of hard work, patience and determination.”
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High product demand following the launch of Sheeran by Lowden saw the business significantly grow its export markets in the US and Europe.
The partnership evolved off the back of the friendship established between the Lowden family and Sheeran.
Managing Director David Ausdahl said that the collaboration introduced Lowden’s guitars “to a whole new generation of players, encouraging many musicians on-the-rise to dedicate themselves to reaching their highest potential in guitar playing.”
2019 also saw Lowden grow its staff numbers and develop its guitar range with the addition of eight new models to the brand’s core collection, as well as the launch of Lowden Strings and a suite of Lowden-branded guitar care products.
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise is now in its 54th year, with winning businesses able to use the emblem for the next five years.
Pending coronavirus lockdown restrictions, the Lowden Guitars team will celebrate its award during a royal reception for winners this summer at Buckingham Palace.
For more information on Lowden’s wide range of premium guitars including Sheeran by Lowden visit lowdenguitars.com and sheeranguitars.com
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Source: Written from press release
