DC Electronics has been recognised for the third year in a row at the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA) Awards.

The Maldon-based firm, a leading manufacturer of custom-built electrical systems, was named 2013 Small Business of the Year at the ceremony, held during this month's Autosport Inter-national Show in Birmingham.

Previous successes for the firm at the event include the 2012 New Markets award and the 2011 Export Achievement award.

The MIA Awards, first presented in 1995, recognise excellence across the motorsport and high performance engineering industry, with companies being nominated by their peers.

David Cunliffe, managing director of DC Electronics, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to have won the coveted Small Business of the Year award and be recognised by the MIA for the third year running.

'The award is recognition of the continued expansion of DC Electronics and our ongoing success and growth. The past 12 months has seen a number of new, significant business developments for the company and we will to continue to build on this as we move into 2014.'

Besides its Maldon headquarters, DC Electronics also has a successful US production facility in Mooresville, North Carolina, and distributors for its products worldwide.

Products designed and built by the company have been used in championships including NASCAR, Formula 1, IndyCar, World Rally, Superbike and F1 Powerboats.

Chris Aylett, chief executive of the MIA said: 'As a result of hard work, professionalism and dedication, DC Electronics have been an outstanding success over the few years since their foundation.

'They have overcome every difficulty faced by any typical SME following the financial meltdown of 2008/9 and emerged stronger than ever.

'Actively putting in the extra graft and investment needed to grow their exports, particularly in the USA, the world's largest marketplace for their expertise, they even had the courage and vision to open their own company in the heart of that country. They truly deserve their excellence to be recognised by winning the MIA Award for the SME Business of the Year, their third award for excellence in the past three years, in itself, a record performance.'