Southport-based Lattimer (www.lattimer.com) was recently named ‘Small Exporter of the Year’ at the PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Awards, which recognise the achievements of companies selling products and services in overseas markets.

Lattimer’s managing director, Mark Hailwood, said: “The road to exporting can be tough and full of challenges, but it is hugely rewarding, helping to raise ambitions and broaden horizons.

"Exporting brings about the sort of challenges that help a business to grow and become more resilient. It’s an excellent way to test and refine a product or service to make it truly world-class.

“Lattimer has been in business since 1937 and has needed to remain innovative and creative to survive.

For more than 40 years, we have led in the design and manufacture of components for the glass container industry world-wide.

This has taken constant hard work, focus and determination.

"We are the current custodians of a fantastic North West engineering brand, and we are striving to make it better before handing it on to the next generation.

"The business is in a fantastic position, recording some of the best sales figures in its history.”

Lattimer Holdings CEO Stephen Waterhouse said that a 15-year plan, new product development and an in-house training academy are paving the way for sustained growth.

Meanwhile, a recently expanded European sales force is redoubling its efforts to increase the company’s market share.

He added: “Our overseas sales account for 96% of our turnover.

“We have achieved this because of the quality of our products and our ability to produce complex tailor-made solutions.

“Many of our products have become industry standards, specified and recommended by companies world-wide.”