An established Black Country manufacturer is reaching new markets in Africa and Asia – with help from UK Trade & Investment.

Founded in 1951, AJT Equipment, of Brockmoor, Brierley Hill, designs and manufactures tensile testing machines and force testing machines for testing the strength of chains, wire ropes and slings used in the shipping, oil and gas, lifting gear and construction industries.  

The company is now hoping to treble its £500,000 annual turnover with enquiries estimated at £1m on its books – which are rapidly turning into firm orders - from overseas clients.

In 2004, AJT Equipment joined UK Trade & Investment’s Passport initiative - a flagship scheme that gives new exporters the training, planning and ongoing support they need to succeed overseas – and completed the scheme last year.

Through Passport, the company has benefited from a package of support, inclusive of: a free export health check, attending an export workshop, assistance in formulating an international trade strategy and matched funding to help implement this strategy, quality training and mentoring advice, access to the full range of UK Trade & Investment services and membership of the Midlands World Trade Forum, the regional export club.

Sales and marketing manager Julie Parry said: “Before we first contacted UK Trade & Investment’s international trade team at Black Country Chamber of Commerce in 2003, we weren’t involved directly in exporting at all.

“Through the Passport scheme, we attended invaluable seminars on topics such as website development and how to go about dealing with international businesses.

“Our international trade adviser, Terry Wood, has been fantastic. He helped us in dealing with international agents, advising us on financial matters and possible pitfalls. He also advised us on business etiquette in different markets, and continues to give us advice and support on numerous issues when we need it.

“After we visited Singapore on a UK Trade & Investment market visit in 2004, we appointed an agent who has enabled us to make sales to this market and to Pakistan, Malaysia and Thailand. We also have an agent and customer in Nigeria.

“Typically, our contracts take 18 months to two years to come to fruition, so we are now seeing the results of UK Trade & Investment’s support through Passport.

“We are currently dealing with enquiries worth about £1m from overseas customers, many of which are becoming firm orders.

“None of this would have been possible without the support from UK Trade & Investment, which has increased our knowledge tenfold and helped with the growth of our company.”

International sales have increased AJT Equipment’s annual turnover from about £350,000 in 2003 to £500,000 in the last financial year. About 35 per cent of the current turnover is export business. The company has eight employees.

International trade adviser Terry Wood, based at Black Country Chamber of Commerce, said: “The team at AJT Equipment recognises the value of exporting their products and the growth potential this can bring to their business. It's a pleasure to work with them.”

For more information about how UK Trade & Investment can help your business expand into new markets abroad, contact the international trade team at Black Country Chamber of Commerce on Tel: 0845 002 1234.

Pictures:

Ian Gordon (left), director of AJT Equipment, is pictured with UK Trade & Investment international trade adviser Terry Wood.

For more details about the AJT Equipment Ltd, contact the company on 01384 482848, or visit the website www.ajt-testing.com