An electronics company expects exports to become the bedrock of its business within five years, after passing a sales milestone in Europe.

Amplicon Liveline, based on Centenary Industrial Estate, Brighton, said for the first time in its 33-year history exports exceeded one million euros (£683,000).

It surpassed the target with two months still remaining in the financial year. The company called it a "historic achievement".

International sales manager Douglas Saunders said the results "vindicated" the company's strategy of expanding into the European industrial computing market.

International computer sales have been a major focus for Amplicon, which has seen 100 per cent growth in the business over the past three years.

Mr Saunders said: "It has been a huge mountain to climb. Only three years ago we had not even considered exporting this type of product, but we now have a dedicated team of distributors who share our ambition to propel Amplicon to the number one position in the European marketplace.

"The level of growth in international sales underlines the demand for high-quality products throughout the European Union.

"There are few truly global suppliers of this type of product and Amplicon can now consider itself among the best. Our plans for the future are equally ambitious and we will not be content until international business sales exceed that of the UK."

Amplicon's commercial director Gina Citroni added: "If the growth continues at the present rate, this will be achieved within the next three to five years."

Amplicon, which was bought by management last year, saw turnover rise from £4.6 million to £5.8 million between 2001 and 2005.