A BOTTLING company has expanded in Europe by winning 12 orders in the past 18 months.

Axis, of Eaglescliffe, Teesside, has seen turnover increase by £400,000 after finding customers in Germany, France and Spain.

The recent export success is a long way from the company's position four years ago, when it only served the UK.

Since then, Axis has used an export strategy put together by UK Trade and Investment.

Malcolm Slatcher, chief executive of Axis, said: "When we started eight years ago, we had eight staff and just one shift per day.

"Now we employ 50 staff and are a 24-hour operation and we have also expanded into a second warehouse for our finished products.

"About three years ago, UK Trade and Investment worked with us in developing our export strategy to focus on overseas customers as well as networking in the UK and this is now paying off."

The company has also explored opportunities in Iceland with the help of a trade mission organised by UK Trade and Investment.

Published: 24/08/2004