THAMES VALLEY EXPORT AWARD


The Export award, sponsored this year for the first time by DediPower, celebrates the successes and achievements of Thames Valley companies who are involved in overseas trade.


Six organisations were shortlisted and, after some very tough deliberation by the judges, security boutique Andrews & Wykeham was awarded top honours.


The Basingstoke company, which only began trading in 2009, had a turnover last year of over £3.3 million and expects to double that in the current financial year.


Managing director Jamie Willis says the company’s ability to provide a bespoke solution for customers is what has made the business so successful.


“Rather than selling a product, our approach is to talk to customers about the problems they are looking to solve and then look at how we can assist them on a project by project basis. If necessary, we will also bring in other partners or other technologies so we can come up with a really bespoke solution.


“We believe in building strong relationships with our customers over time, and many of them now come back to us for different projects. They rely on the fact that if we say we know how to do something, then we can.”


Although Andrews & Wykeham is less than three years old, its security products are used in more than 20 countries across five continents, and 97% of its business is in the export market.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – DECEMBER 11/JANUARY 12


It implements cutting-edge holography, laser marking, security printing and microtaggant technologies to create security products and components for the personal identification, banknote, document security, and revenue and brand protection markets.


Willis highlights the Far East, parts of Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe as key markets, with new contacts often coming via profile- raising trips to trade shows and exhibitions, or by word of mouth.


The management team also takes a proactive approach to identifying new prospects, most recently in Mongolia, where an initial meeting was followed by joining a trade mission to build further contacts.


“We are prepared to be adventurous, to go off the beaten track and engage with some different countries and that’s what delivers the results,” added Willis. “We were very honoured to be presented with the Export award at such an illustrious event and extremely grateful to all the judges.”


Mark Howling, CEO of DediPower, who presented the award to Willis, (main picture) commented: “Part of the Lumison BlueSquare Group, DediPower provides IP network, co-location, managed application hosting and support services that enable many UK organisations to compete in global markets.


“As sponsor of the Export Award, we were particularly eager to recognise those enterprising Thames Valley businesses who were exploiting the power of the web to push


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SPONSORED BY


DEDIPOWER


products and services out to new international audiences.


“We were really impressed with the quality of the entries. All of the finalists stood out for their export success and their commitment to meeting the needs of customers abroad. After much discussion, however, it was Andrews & Wykeham whose significant growth in the fast growing security systems market, landing major contracts with government bodies around the world that won our vote. For a small, British company to make such an impact in this highly competitive market is really impressive.


“The TVBA continue to attract the best of local business. The quality of the presentation ceremony and awards dinner reflects the prestige they carry. DediPower is proud to have been associated with the 2011 Awards.”


In second place was 2010 winner, High Wycombe-based Hansford Sensors, which designs and manufactures sensors that monitor the vibration levels of machinery. The award was presented to managing director Chris Hansford (pictured top right), and in third place was Signet International, also shortlisted last year. Richard Newport, managing director, collected the award (bottom right). Highly commended certificates went to TSL (Television Systems Ltd), Talaris and Phabrix.


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