It's one of the most prestigious awards a business can win and, in recognition of its hugely successful expansion into international markets, the Queen's Award for International Trade has been bestowed upon TTS. Judged by a panel that includes the Prime Minister, the awards are given by HM The Queen annually in recognition of outstanding achievement in three categories: International Trade, Innovation and Sustainable Development.
Over the last three years TTS has nearly tripled its revenue from international customers, taking its innovative classroom resources to 24 European countries, North America, Australia, China, the Middle East and latterly South America. The company now sells its products in 53 countries and has increased its UK workforce by 100 over the last two years to support this rapid growth.
Products that are not language dependent work well in the international education market as they don't have to be redesigned or significantly altered to be sold in other countries. TTS products are already such high quality that meeting the safety standards for the different territories was relatively straightforward. And, while kids are the same the world over (they all love the EasiSpeak MP3 microphone recorder and rechargeable mini metal detectors), TTS visits local schools in each country to make sure they understand cultural differences that could affect product development. Visiting local schools is second nature to TTS, they spend five months each year in schools talking to teachers and students to inspire new ideas for products. If a teacher suggests an idea that makes it into production they are paid royalties on any sales.
TTS Managing Director, Andy Wilson, is delighted with the award, "We are thrilled to have been awarded with such prestigious recognition. It's taken careful planning to succeed internationally and we've worked hard as a team to find the right distribution and trading partners who support our commitment to teachers and learners. If your product is great, and I think our products are really great, then you can export successfully, and this award is testament to that."
