GRAHAM Helliwell is a man with a mission.

And as chief executive of NIMTECH - the North West Regional Technology Centre - he believes there is no better job.

"What a wonderful product this region is to sell!" said Graham, whose enthusiasm for helping firms grow borders on the evangelical.

"There is simply nothing we cannot do here. You just look at what there is in East Lancashire with firms like British Aerospace to know that.

"We have fabulous capabilities but historically we've lacked the ability to attack global markets which is what NIMTECH is trying to address."

Graham started his working career as an engineering apprentice on the shop floor and moved through the hierarchy of management in design project management and technical capacity.

He was national project leader for the 17 nation Eureka-Famos initiative to develop new projects in automated assembly.

"That experience taught me about how important partnerships in business are and how the need to communicate is vital."

In his five years at the helm Graham, who lives in Bacup, has transformed NIMTECH from a slumbering manufacturing business club into a thriving, dynamic organisation.

"It had got itself into a bit a quango trap and had lost its way," said Graham.

Since he took over he has tried to redefine its role and in the process helped generate more than £25 million worth of new business and helped more than 5,000 companies in the region.

Its purpose today is basically three-fold: to help firms find solutions to technology problems, make them more aware of opportunities around the world and help set up collaborative projects to benefit the North West.

Those may sound rather lofty aims but in fact NIMTECH is decidedly hands on - as several East Lancashire firms including AIT in Burnley and TDS in Blackburn can bear testimony to.

For example NIMTECH's French speaking adviser - one of several who speak European languages - was recently with a businessman in Paris trying to set up a deal for a Cumbrian firm to supply salmon.

"That may not some to have much to do with technology transfer but if that firm doubles its order book it will need to increase production with new machinery and new people."

NIMTECH has set up a major database to keep track of the expertise of thousands of North West companies. The information is made available to companies and chambers of commerce throughout the world via computer links.

Part of the key for North West firms to open the door to world markets is accessibility.

Firms that are only able to do business between 9am and 5pm GMT have little chance of success.

"Breakfast in Rio is lunch in the UK and vodka time in Moscow!" he pointed out.

NIMTECH has embraced the latest in telecommunications technology to help firms win business. Those without their own teleconferencing facilities can use NIMTECH's - and take advantage of their multi-lingual workforce.

Graham himself frequently works from his home office in Bacup, connected to his colleagues in St Helens or around the world through a videoconferencing link.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.