Top regional exporter

Atg Willand – now trading as atg UV Technology – has won the overall North West Passport to Export Award 2007 in recognition of its achievements in the export market following participation in the UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) programme. To qualify for the overall title, the company was first successful in winning one of the five county awards given to companies across the North West, which has shown considerable progress in growing its international business. It is the second time the Greater Manchester title has been scooped by a Wigan firm, with last year's award being taken by Wigan based Wishing Well Studios but this year atg was judged to be the best of the county winners and went on to be crowned overall export champions for the North West. The company specialises in ultra violet water disinfection systems, which are a green alternative to chemical methods. Export sales of its products increased from 16% to 55% with the help of UKTI's Passport to Export scheme, which enabled it to grow its existing business in the USA and develop new links with Poland and Italy. As a result of its increased export sales, profit has trebled. Passport to Export is UK Trade & Investment's flagship programme for new and inexperienced exporters. It provides the training, planning and ongoing support a company needs to begin a successful export operation. Chris Purslow, Managing Director of atg UV Technology – and a former winner of the Institute of Directors' International Business Director of the year awards – said: “I am delighted to win this award and have found the support we received from the Passport to Export programme - including staff training, embassy reports and trade missions - very useful in increasing our export business. Our International Trade Adviser, Charles Jacobson, supported us every step of the way and provided valuable advice, which really helped us develop a successful export strategy. “Since completing the Passport to Export programme we have used various other UK Trade & Investment services including the Overseas Market Introduction Serviced (OMIS) and the Strategic Alliance Service which helped us form a joint venture with an American company, and we are now one of the market leaders in international UV water treatment for a range of uses from USA water parks to Australian & South African drinking water. “I would strongly advise other companies who are looking to develop their overseas trade potential to sign up for the Passport to Export programme and find out for themselves how it can help them.” Clive Drinkwater, UKTI's North West Regional Director, said: “Every year we face a difficult decision in choosing the companies who have made the most of the help and advice they received on the Passport to Export scheme. ATG Willand has an excellent relationship with key overseas agents and a range of innovative Research and Development projects which has enabled it to command a leading position in the sector. ATG Willand has made excellent progress with overseas trade this year and we congratulate them on their considerable achievements and hope they will continue to go from strength to strength in the future. “Passport to Export is an excellent and varied scheme that offers comprehensive support to new and inexperienced exporters. We very much hope that other Greater Manchester companies who would like similar success in reaching their export goals will contact the North West regional trade team to see how we can help.”