WIREDGOV

Atech Graphics which employs nine people at its base on the Trostre Industrial Estate, Llanelli, has provided a range of highway and corporate signage for Carmarthenshire County Council for the past seven years - but this is their first opportunity to supply Swansea.  

Managing Director, Richard Thomas, said the new agreement established the company as a recognised supplier to local authorities.

Before tendering for the new contract Atech Graphics had advice from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Supplier Development Service which is designed to help companies bid for and win public service contracts. The service which is backed by European funding, provides expert advice from supplier champions who provide one to one support which Richard Thomas described as invaluable

“We had a lot of help from the Supplier Development Service which advised on how to improve our work methods while advice on tendering procedures was also invaluable.”

Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, said it was good to hear that small companies were successfully bidding for and winning new public sector contracts with support from the Assembly Government.

“The Supplier Development Service is designed to provide companies with the information, advice, support and confidence they need to tender for public sector contracts which can be quite complex documents.

“These contracts can represent extremely important revenue sources for local businesses and ensure the benefits are retained in the local economy.”

As a result of the new work, Atech is taking on another full-time welder, and the contract provides an additional financial cushion as it moves to new hi-tech, solar panelled premises.

The new business is expected to cover the manufacture of directional and warning signs for Swansea’s streets, as well as street nameplates.

Atech also makes signs for the property industry, schools, care homes and regeneration projects, and provided the signage at Parc y Scarlets Stadium in Llanelli.

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