Overseas push is key to doubling AES turnover

Apr 10 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A SOFTWARE company hopes to double its turnover to £1m following the development of a new product and further expansion into Asian markets.

Billingham-based AES Ltd expects its new product, which helps firms ensure that they are keeping to industry regulations, to help it hit the turnover target by 2012 as well as double its 10-strong workforce by next year.

The 16-year-old firm works with a number of blue chip companies, especially within the pharmaceutical and food sectors, and expects to make a major push into foreign markets this year, where it currently sells 60% of its products.

The firm has benefited from the Government’s Passport to Export programme, which has provided financial support to help it meet the costs of travel, exhibitions, market research and legal advice when making its way into new markets. Managing director Lesley Moody said: “It’s been a whirlwind experience over the past few years. Targeting the export market with the professional help of the Passport to Export programme has changed our bottom line and our perspective on the world.

“Exporting is not for the faint hearted, but for us it has proved an exciting, valuable experience for both staff and the business and we would recommend it to any company keen to widen their horizons.”

As well as working with businesses to develop bespoke management tools, the past six months has seen the firm roll out a number of new online products, including a system which allows food and pharmaceutical firms to record their ingredients and formulas securely.

In addition to its core clients, AES also sold a number of its products to a major US aerospace company last year.

It hopes the new products will help increase interest in its other services, including customer and supplier service management systems.