ATG targets Rio after 2012 Olympic success
VEHICLE barrier manufacturer ATG Access has completed a trade mission to Brazil ahead of the Rio Olympics and plans to tender for all major sporting events over the next 10 years, following success at London 2012.
The £16m turnover Haydock company has around 70 staff and designs, manufactures and supplies anti-ram, access control and high security vehicle barrier systems.
Its products have been installed at locations including Horse Guards Parade in London, Heathrow Airport, Changi Airport in Singapore, Doha International Airport, Shanghai Expo Centre, the Malaysian Prime Minister’s office and a wide range of government and infrastructure facilities around the world.
A UK Trade & Investment Trade Mission to Brazil was one of the starting points for ATG Access to find a local agent through whom to bid for contracts to supply the 2016 Games in Rio with its barriers.
Since the trip, it has grown its business there, finding a manufacture-under-licence and a local agent through whom it is now tendering for a contract to work on the stadium for the Rio Olympics.
With support from UKTI, the company is now preparing to bid for security contracts for events from the 2016 Games in Rio to the Russian World Cup, Qatarian Games and Sochi Winter Olympics.
The company’s product development is also falling in line with these objectives, with a big drive on temporary security measures for events.
“The London Olympics was a really successful project for us,” said Iain Moran, high security manager. “We provided a full package of services and met every target and deadline that we were set. We are keen to build on this, and the UKTI Trade Mission to Brazil set things in motion for us to offer our experience to the organisers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.
“We liaised with UKTI before the trip and told them who we were interested in meeting. They then used their contacts to arrange meetings for us. Being associated with UKTI gave us instant recognition as a trustworthy company, so people took us seriously. Having the trip organised for us took out the hassle and made sure that we made the most of our time without being distracted by logistics.”
The UK economy has seen a £9.9bn trade and investment boost from the London Olympic and Paralympic Games so far, with North West businesses generating £220m, according to government figures.
Clive Drinkwater, regional director for UKTI North West, said: “Over 620 Olympics 2012 contracts were won by North West businesses generating £220m and NW companies have gone on to supply the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and both the World Cup and Olympics in Brazil. We now have a cluster of very active companies in the field of sporting infrastructure that is world class ready to supply other major sporting events across the globe. I look forward to seeing this group of businesses prosper in the coming years.”
