St Helens-based ATG Access is celebrating 35 years of engineering innovation, having established itself as a globally recognised leader in hostile vehicle mitigation (HVM) and intelligent physical security solutions.

 

Founded in 1989 with just two employees and a workbench, the business originally manufactured manually operated telescopic and fixed security bollards designed to prevent vehicle theft from residential driveways. 

 

What began as a practical response to a local problem has since grown into an international security engineering business. Today, its technologies help protect critical national infrastructure, city centres, transport hubs, stadiums and globally recognised landmarks from hostile vehicle attacks in more than 50 countries worldwide.

 

Over the past three and a half decades, ATG Access has consistently been at the forefront of innovation within the physical security sector, pioneering technologies and standards that continue to underpin modern HVM solutions today.

 

In the late 1990’s, ATG recognised the need to develop an automated bollard suitable for safe installation within the UK public highway. The company designed, tested and supplied the UK’s first automatic highway bollard system for bus gates and pedestrianised areas. 

 

Piloted in Cambridge city centre, the project represented a major breakthrough for the industry. It also led ATG to help develop the standards that continue to underpin the safe operation of automatic bollards on UK highways today.

 

The company continued to pioneer new technologies as urbanisation increased, public spaces evolved, and the threat landscape changed. In 2005, following global terror attacks, ATG was approached to design an automated bollard capable of withstanding hostile vehicle impact. 

 

The business successfully achieved its first BSI PAS 68 accredited ‘dead stop’ of a 7.5 tonne truck, becoming the first company in the UK to impact-test an automatic bollard to a recognised British standard. The achievement helped establish the UK HVM sector as a recognised force within the global crash-tested security market.

 

In response to growing international demand, ATG began exporting its crash-tested technologies in 2006, securing early contracts across the Middle East, Singapore and Malaysia, before expanding globally through a strategic international partner and distributor network.

 

Just one year later, the company developed the industry’s first shallow foundation bollard system. A major engineering breakthrough that transformed how high-security systems could be installed in constrained urban environments by delivering exceptional protection at significantly reduced excavation depths, while avoiding underground services.

 

Further milestones followed, including the acquisition of perimeter security divisions in North America, the delivery of major international infrastructure projects such as Hamad International Airport in Doha, and the development of bespoke security solutions for 25 venues during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

 

In 2017, in response to the rise of vehicle-as-a-weapon attacks across the UK and Europe, ATG launched its pioneering Surface Guard temporary barrier system, helping redefine temporary urban protection for public spaces and events.

 

In 2019, ATG pioneered bridge protection systems in the UK, developing an industry-first solution capable of stopping a 7,500kg truck travelling at 30mph. The technology was designed to protect pedestrians from vehicle ramming attacks and has since been deployed on projects including Westminster and Lambeth Bridge in London.

 

Today, ATG Access employs 68 people globally and manufactures in the UK, UAE, Singapore and North America. The business is supported by an international network of distributors and strategic partners, while continuing to invest heavily in research and development, engineering expertise and next-generation technologies.

 

Richard Ellis, Managing Director of ATG Access, said: “Reaching 35 years is an incredibly proud milestone for everyone connected to ATG Access. From our humble beginnings, we’ve grown into an internationally recognised business, protecting some of the world’s most high-profile and sensitive places and infrastructure.

 

“Our success has always been built on a partnership-led approach. We listen carefully to our customers, collaborate closely with stakeholders and focus on solving real-world challenges through high-quality engineering, expertise and innovation.

 

“We’ve never been afraid to lead from the front, whether that’s introducing the first automatic bollards into UK highways, pioneering shallow foundation technology or developing temporary protection systems in response to emerging threats. That culture of everyday innovation continues to drive the business today.

 

“What makes ATG special is our people. Many of our team members have been with the business for decades, helping build the knowledge and engineering expertise that define us as a heritage brand within the security industry.

 

“As threats continue to evolve, our focus remains the same. ‘Protecting what matters’ by providing exceptional quality products and a holistic, customer-focused service. It’s what we do, and it’s what we’ve always done.”

 

ATG Access continues to play an active role in shaping the wider security industry through standards development, professional collaboration and education initiatives. The company has contributed to PAS 68 and IWA 14 standards development, delivers RIBA-accredited CPDs, and works closely with organisations including The Security Institute and the Perimeter Security Suppliers Association.

 

Its solutions are trusted across critical infrastructure, public realm and high-profile sites worldwide, with recent projects spanning Schiphol Airport, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Dubai International Airport and the MHPArena in Stuttgart. 

 

Looking ahead, ATG Access continues to invest in research and development, expand its global footprint, and develop next-generation technologies that respond to evolving threats and increasingly complex urban environments.

 

To mark the anniversary milestone, ATG Access is planning a family celebration event later this year to recognise the people who have contributed to the company’s success over the past 35 years.

ATG Access

 

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