Onside PR client WASP Rescue has been crowned ‘New To Export’ winners at the Northern Powerhouse Export Awards.
The prestigious award was presented in recognition of WASP’s astonishing first 18-months in business – which has seen them export emergency monitoring equipment to 17 countries around the world.
It marks an incredible year for WASP Rescue, a company established by firefighting hero Matt Keogh.
Keogh said: “It is amazing, a very proud moment for me and the team behind getting WASP to where it is now.
“This started as a dream, a simple idea and to now see that the WASP is being used by firefighters around the world is incredible.
“We are already in 17 countries around the world and we are talking to many more so the future is exciting.
“To have all of the hard work recognised, and to win an award like this makes it all worthwhile, I’m super proud.”
Former Greater Manchester firefighter Keogh wanted to find something to protect his emergency services colleagues from harm during rescue missions.
Keogh, a veteran of International Search and Rescue Missions, was concerned about the dangers faced by teams entering collapsed structures and other dangerous scenarios.
With nothing seemingly available, he set about developing the WASP, or Warning Alarm for Stability Protection, with the help of Greater Manchester businessman Rory O’Rourke and his company, the Datum Group.
They created the WASP, a device capable of detecting movement from between 0.1° to 2.6° and/or vibration from 0.5hz to 100hz. It alerts workers with an audible and visual alarm.
The pair approached Onside PR for advice branding and launching the WASP. We created the website, video, photography, supporting marketing collateral and the ongoing management of the WASP brand.
Since launch, the WASP has been deployed by London Fire Brigade in the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower tragedy to protect personnel and at hundreds of incidents from RTCs, explosions, trench rescues and many more and exported around the world.
The PD Ports Northern Powerhouse Export Awards was held in association with HSBC and the Department for International Trade.
WASP Rescue was crowned joint winner of the ‘New To Export’ award with NHS Northumbria International Alliance.
* To learn more about WASP Rescue visit the website via this link
* To discuss marketing and media opportunities regarding WASP Rescue click this link.
