FORMER Open4Business winner Aquarium Technology Ltd (ATL) has thrown its weight behind this year’s awards as a sponsor.

The Weymouth-based company scooped two Open4Business titles last year and has vowed to put something back this year by lending its name to the Exporter of the Year title.

Director Nick Stantiford said: “As winners of two Open4Business awards in 2009, Aquarium Technology Ltd are delighted to be saying thank-you by sponsoring the 2010 Export award.

“Every entrant will immediately benefit from the high quality exposure the awards attract and may be surprised to learn just how successful a business they really are. We certainly did!”

ATL, which is based in Cumberland Drive, provides tanks, aquariums and displays to a wide variety of customers around the world.

They include Sea Life Centres, aquariums, zoos and vivariums as well as to industry.

Some of its team of specialists have direct experience in the trade going back to the 1980s.

ATL operates a quality system, approved to ISO 9001-2008, and has been recognised as a Beacon company.

Weymouth College backs the overall Business of the Year honour but it is also supporting the First Time in Business award through its Enterprise Connection initiative.

The deadline is nearing for entries in the awards.

Firms have until 5pm on Friday September 10 to lodge their forms for the prestigious titles.

The Open4Business awards night is on October 7 at Weymouth College.

A number of events have already been held but there will also be a main fortnight of activities from October 4 and will run until October 22.

The final event will be a closing function sponsored by the Weymouth and Portland’s chamber of commerce.

For more information and to book events – most free of charge – call 01305 838476.

You can also book any of the events now at o4business.co.uk