Preston engineering company Attwater & Sons says it has seen sales rocket in the first quarter of 2012 following a successful expansion into new overseas markets and into new sectors. The company, which dates back to 1868, sells its products into multiple sectors including rail, marine, aerospace, electrical and general engineering. The company recorded its best ever year for sales in 2011 and is already looking to better that by 12% in 2012. To service demand, Attwater has increased its workforce in the UK by 10% and spent almost £250,000 on new technology in the last 12 months. Despite this ambitious outlay, profits are expected to treble by the end of the year. The increase in sales follows a successful campaign to expand the company's global reach. Attwater now sells to 40 countries around the world, including India, China, USA, New Zealand and Australia. Investment has also been made in improving the product range, and recent years have seen the growth of machined components into aerospace, automotive and electrical market sectors. Attwater has increased its sales in the marine sector by launching railings, tillers and masts. Progress has also been made in the oil and gas industry with the development of new high pressure gasket materials. Sales director Rachael Kennedy said: “We've had an amazing start to 2012 and we have many more projects ongoing. Our turnover is rising rapidly and we are very enthusiastic about the future. Due to the recession, not many companies are investing in new staff and new machinery but we have faith in our products and in the market and we made the decision to spend big. We are already being rewarded and our order book is bulging.” www.attwater.com
