Aycliffe Today Business Issue 7 | Page 21

Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 21 /COMPANY FOCUS: ATAG CABLE SOLUTIONS (UK) LTD CABLE GUY HAS BIG AMBITIONS Expertise, determination and quality are the main forces that have brought about a new and thriving business who are charged up and ready to build upon years of knowledge and skill. Managing Director Andy Graham is the influence behind ATAG Cable Solutions, which has secured premises on Woodham Road on Aycliffe Business Park. Andy and his team have no less than 65 years of experience between them in cable manufacturing, and when it comes to finding solutions they really are the team to turn to. Andy, from Bishop Auckland, said: “We can help end users in the electronics and cables assembly industry. We offer a bespoke service and can help and work with customers to find an answer to their cable supply or where required any process problems. “I do all the designing of the cable myself and we have a strong team here who produce the cable to the customer requirements. “Quality is key in this business and we pride ourselves on being able to deliver this. My background is in quality/manufacturing engineering and this is followed through to customer service levels too. ” Andy and his team have an impressive history of achievements which includes being the first in the UK to manufacture ‘Solar’ cable and they were also the first to design ‘antimicrobial’ additive into their cable products, which provides protection against illness such as MRSA and E.Coli and has been widely used in hospitals and medical centres throughout the country. Andy said: “We have a diverse range of materials in stock that can be used in the correct environment to produce a designed answer to any cable issues, where appropriate. “We are willing to help with advice on a specific cable or on running a cable or on design, and advice for a bespoke cable which might suit a customer’s facilities better, generally this involves reducing process times increasing productivity” A recent request of a different kind has included the exciting design and manufacture of glow-inthe-dark Curly Cord Cable for one of the nation’s popular space games at Laser Quest UK. “It has been quite exciting designing for Laser Quest, said Andy. ” “I was delighted to be able to work for the first time in the fluorescent industry working with the additive suppliers developing a material which suited the client, and even more so to prove that we could do it and it really works. By Rachel Wright business at college primarily look after our customers to ensure smooth delivery of whatever they have asked for. “Some of our customers have known us and worked with us for 20 years; we try our best to consistently deliver a good service. ” ATAG clients include JDR Cables, Lincs Connections, Meech International, IVIC, G&P Technologies, Static Systems PLC, Telecom Connections and Hospedia to name a few. As part of his engineering career, Andy previously spent a lot of his time travelling and visiting other cable manufacturers in the UK and aboard looking at best practise and modern manufacturing techniques, such as production control, machine capacities and waste management. After relocating and refitting the site, he is now able to put into action these best practice focus and utilise it in his own company on the park. “When I was looking for premises it made complete sense to look for them on Aycliffe Business Park, he added. ” “The laser gun now glows in the dark and has been such a success we have been requested to work through Europe and Canada, developing the brand further. “Everyone knows it, it’s a great location and there are a lot of businesses we would love to work w ith here, it’s just letting people know what we do. “So much so that we have just taken our first order for this in Canada, with a view to repeat orders which is just brilliant. ” “But I definitely think we are in the right place to do that, there is such a lot happening on the park it’s a great place to be. ” Helping with the delivery of service is director and wife Debra, and daughter Katie, who are keen to support Andy with his growing business. For further information or help with any cable problems please call Andy on 01388 776677. Debra said: “Andy has amazing ideas when it comes to cable and no job is too much of a challenge for him. “Myself and my daughter who is studying PIC: Directors Andy Graham and Debra Graham at ATAG Cable Solutions, Woodham Road, Aycliffe Business Park