Flight simulation manufacturer EDM has won the UK Trade and Investment China Business Award for the North West after it saw a surge in international sales.

The company, which is based in Newton Heath, Manchester, increased its exports to China from 2% of its export turnover to 46% between 2008 and 2010. It has also formed a partnership with a Chinese business and hopes to design and produce a CJ1000 engine model for the Zhuhai Air Show 2012.

EDM manufactures training equipment for the Civil Aviation Administration of China as well as a number of Chinese airlines. The company said that they are also likely to continue working for the Shandong and Shenzhen airlines.

Precision Technologies Group, which is based in Rochdale, came second in the business category.

Philomena Chen, head of Asia Pacific development for UK Trade & Investment North West said: “There was an outstanding level of entries for the North West region, and the winners are the companies who have showed the most evidence of a commitment to the market and who have successfully expanded their business in mainland China, Hong Kong or Taiwan.”