A north Essex company has increased its export sales more than five-fold in just three years to more than £1m.

Car care products specialist Ultimotive, based on the Severalls Business Park in Colchester, highlighted its success during a visit to its site by the town’s MP, Will Quince.

Ultimotive, which includes global brands Williams Racing and Turtle Wax among its clients, was established in 2004 by Andy Smith, now managing director, who initially operated from the garage at his home in Wivenhoe.

The business quickly progressed to a farm building before renting its current 10,000 sq ft premises in Altbarn Close three years ago. It currently employs 11 people, with further expansion likely in the near future.

Mr Quince said: “It was fascinating to discover more about this expanding and thriving firm, which is at the forefront of its field.

“Firms like Ultimotive in the high tech developing industries are the sort of companies of which Colchester can be truly proud. They are to be congratulated on their success and expansion which will bring an economic boost to the whole region.”

Mr Smith now plans to apply for the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, in both the international trade and innovation categories - a move Mr Quince said he was “delighted” to support.

“We are only a small team of 11 people but we sell all over the world and have grown rapidly over the last three years,” said Mr Smith.

“We were delighted Mr Quince could come and see what we do at Ultimotive and are thrilled he will be endorsing our bid for the Queens Award. It has been a very exciting time for us and we hope our growth will only continue into 2018 and beyond.”