Sheffield-based armoured steel manufacturing specialist MTL Group has once again triumphed at the EEF Future Manufacturing Awards, this time picking up the Westfield Health National Business Growth Award.
The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards celebrate the achievements of companies and individuals that are showing exactly what UK manufacturing can be - innovative, mould-breaking and ultimately a successful engine for growth in the UK economy.
MTL Group was awarded the North East & Yorkshire region Business Growth Award in November 2009 and has now won the National Business Growth Award thanks to investments in marketing, machinery and skills which have doubled sales in the last three years and driven exports up by 700%.
In 2006 exports were a fringe activity for MTL Group; today they represent a significant share of the company’s burgeoning turnover.
Ambitious move into foreign markets
The management team freely admits that moving into foreign markets meant moving out of its comfort zone. But the plan they developed – ambitious, bold and focused – has delivered beyond even their expectations and ensured MTL Group's success both abroad and at home.
"Our people are the face of MTL and it's critical that customers trust their integrity and ability," says managing director Dr Henry Shirman. "We've also recognised that sometimes you just have to 'speak their language', so we've recruited employees with the language skills of our major customers."
In the final quarter of 2009 MTL received visits from several blue-chip European manufacturers keen to work with them and the level of overseas enquiries is stronger than it's ever been, according to Shirman.
The Westfield Health National Business Growth Award was officially presented to MTL Group at Dorchester Hotel in London by Westfield Health's Jill Davies and the BBC's Declan Curry on 3 February 2010.
MTL Group has recently been awarded TL Approval which is a pre-requirement for any company wanting to supply armour to the German Army.
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