PTG Holroyd wins Greater China Business Award

Greater China Business Award winners Precision Technologies Group (PTG Holroyd) of Rochdale, Laurence Neary, (left) and Don Whittle with their award and Mr Clive Drinkwater (right) UKTI North West Regional Director

Rochdale based Precision Technologies Group (PTG Holroyd) is celebrating after winning the Greater China Business Award for the North West, announced at the Lowry Theatre on Friday 21 February.

The Greater China Business Award rewards the company or organisation that has made the most significant contribution to developing business or network links with Greater China, including bi-lateral trade or investment.

The event is organised by UK Trade & Investment North West and sponsored by Finnair, HSBC and Klako Group. The winners received international flight tickets, courtesy of Finnair.

PTG has been developing connections in China and Taiwan since the 1980s, and established a Chinese office in 2007. The company was acquired by Chongqing Machinery & Electric Co Ltd (CQME) in 2009, and significant investment has since been made in the business, boosting R&D and skills and new product development.

As a result sales into China have increased year on year, with recent successes including sales of a £1.6m helical grinder machine purchased by one of China’s leading manufacturers of refrigeration compressors, and Powerstir Friction Welders which create high strength welded joints which were used to manufacture the longest ever railway car panel weld in China, at over 15 metres long.

PTG is also a founder member of the Manchester-China Forum, an initiative aimed at strengthening ties between the city region and China.

Philomena Chen, Head of Asia Pacific Development for UK Trade & Investment North West said: “There was an outstanding level of entries for this year’s Greater China Awards, across a wide range of sectors from advanced manufacturing to food production and from IT to chemicals. 

“Our winner, PTG Holroyd, has struck an excellent balance between China and the UK in the areas of research, production and market penetration.

“The company has always shown great determination in the Chinese market, immersing itself in local culture and business practices as early as the 1980’s when few businesses had the foresight to anticipate China’s growth potential.”

The winners were announced at the Greater China Awards and Chinese New Year Dinner on Friday 21 February at the Lowry Theatre in Salford.

The awards were presented by Mr Fred Charpentier from Finnair and the Finalists announced by Consul General Pan Yundong. The ceremony also included a celebration dinner to welcome in the Chinese Year of the Horse.