St Helens bollard firm continues global strength (From St Helens Star)

St Helens bollard firm ATG Access continues global strength

9:13am Monday 25th February 2013 in News

JUST a few weeks after Prince Charles toured their factory to celebrate manufacturing success stories, a St Helens company making high security vehicle barriers is looking to accelerate its global growth plans.

ATG Access, the worldwide leader in its field, can now significantly step up with its plans to target UK and international growth after securing a significant investment from leading private equity investor LDC.

The firm, based in Haydock and employing more than 70 people, is a designer, manufacturer and supplier of anti-ram, access control and high security vehicle barrier systems.

ATG has provided equipment for a number of British Government buildings as well as Buckingham Palace and Clarence House.

It provided the security bollards for London 2012, and now hopes to capitalise on this success to win the contract for Rio 2016.

The company’s products are increasingly being used to secure buildings and venues from vehicle-borne attacks, and 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.

High security vehicle barrier systems are designed into all new major infrastructure projects, such as airports, stadia, railway stations, office developments and shopping centres.

The company, which recorded sales of £16.4 million for the financial year ending April 2012, exports to more than 40 countries and has secured prominent international contracts.

With this new backing, ATG Access plans to capitalise on the rapid expansion in major infrastructure investment in the Middle and Far East, South America and Africa, as well as demand in the UK and US for new and ‘retrofit’ infrastructure projects.

The business will also explore potential acquisitions which add to its market-leading product suite, as well as continuing to invest in significant product development.

Glenn Cooper, CEO of ATG Access, said: “We are a proud British manufacturer that has developed into the leading player in the global high security vehicle barrier systems sector through strong contractor and distributor relationships, as well as best in class products and expertise.

“However, there remains significant opportunity in emerging markets where investment in infrastructure is on the rise.

“LDC’s investment provides not only the capital to expand, but also additional strategic input and access to its international network, which will lead us into the next stage of our development.”

Directors Ged Gould and Carl Wormald led the deal for LDC’s north west office.

Ged Gould, who will join the board of ATG Access, said: “Heightened global security risks have raised awareness and the need for solutions to counter the threat of vehicle-borne attacks. ATG Access holds a dominant position in this high-growth sector, and has enormous potential to expand in the UK and in new emerging markets.”

Prince Charles visited the company on Haydock Industrial Estate in January as part of a celebration of manufacturing success in the area.