Athlegen wins gold

BALLARAT company Athlegen is set to take on China as part of a special export mission during the Olympic Games. The company will assist the Australian Olympic Team as they provide 60 health treatment tables needed to take care of our athletes at the Beijing games.

Athlegen is one of 12 winners of the Win Business Gold in China competition run by Telstra, which aims to help small Australian businesses build export contacts and provide an opportunity for companies to take part in China's booming economy.

Athlegen national sales manager Katelyn Lange said they were thrilled to be chosen to go to China. "All our products really are a labour of love from start to finish," she said. "It will provides extra credibility and strength to our brand - and it's all manufactured here in little Ballarat."

Winners of the competition were selected based on their long-term strategic planning abilities and their innovative and entrepreneurial spirit. Other winners included wine makers, an architecture firm and a honey factory.

Athlegen has provided tables for Australian Olympic Games teams every year since 1996, including the Winter Olympic Games, and also for the past four Commonwealth Games.

"I think that part of the charm of our company is that one, our products are made in Australia, and two we're based in Ballarat and supporting the rural community," Ms Lange said.

"With so many tables being manufactured overseas you just can't be sure of the quality, but with ours we know that when a table leaves the company it will stand the test of time."