THE boss of a thriving Bury component company is harnessing the euro as a major trading tool which has already helped shape a buoyant overseas market for his firm.

And Toni Hankin's distinct pragmatic approach to the controversial Single European Currency serves as a shining example of how businesses needn't fear the euro, but use it to their advantage.

Toni, whose Rowe Hankins business is celebrating its 15th year of trading, had the vision and foresight to embrace the euro ethos right from the start as other captains of industry dithered.

And he has even helped produce computer software equipment to process multi-currency orders on one account.

A firm believer in the euro, Toni's business is primarily geared to dealing in this currency.

"We deal in euros and have done for some time," he says. "And we went on to new computer software that could handle the multi-currency nature of trying to do business. "We've been dealing with a basket of currencies but in terms of our customers overseas, I'm much happier to receive euro quotes."He added: "By doing so, we are removing some of the currency exchange risks."Commenting on the new computer system for the euro, Tony explained: "It is a bespoke software system that we, in effect, wrote the spec of and which an outside software house wrote for us."It's not unique, but it has been tailored to meet our own needs."

The system has a number of distinct plus points in terms of valuing multi-currencies and giving the sterling equivalents of euros to aid Rowe Hankins in its purchasing.

"It also allows me to forward buy and sell euros and my bank has been very supportive in allowing this to happen," Toni continued.

"In layman's terms, I have removed the currency exchange risk from my business.

"What I would say to other businesses is don't stick your head in the sand. The euro is here and the notes have just been launched. It's going to happen.

"I got ready some years ago and I've found my export markets have increased significantly."

This is amply illustrated by the fact 11 per cent of the company's turnover is from overseas exports.

Toni went on: "I have three currencies. Sterling because I'm British, euro because we're European and the dollar because it's the single biggest currency in the world.

"Three years ago, I was dealing in Austrian schillings, French francs, Spanish pesetas and US dollars and that basket of currencies cost me a lot.

"But since I started dealing in the euro, my business has been more simple to operate and it's also more efficient."

He continued: "As a personal comment, I am supportive of the idea of the euro. That is a pragmatic view. I think we should stop mucking about and join the euro.

"I don't believe it would kill off our sovereignty. I feel the euro could become a currency as large or larger than the dollar. We should join the euro and control it."

Toni, who is well-known throughout Bury's business community, is managing director of Parker Street-based Rowe Hankins.

The component company, which employs a 40-strong staff, is heavily involved in the distribution of circuit protection equipment and as manufacturers have developed innovative speed probes used in trains, planes and boats.

Rowe Hankins has grown significantly over the years and is currently well on its way to achieving sales worth a respectable £4 million.