Partner Article

Nifco builds for the future

CAR parts maker Nifco UK is aiming to forge closer ties with its Polish counterpart as it bids to become more competitive amid ongoing difficulties for manufacturers.

The Stockton company, which is currently in the process of earmarking a site for a £8m second factory that will create 40 new jobs, saw its annual turnover dip from £24.7m to £21.9m in the year to December 2009.

Meanwhile, pretax profits climbed slightly from £3.2m to £3.6m in the same period.

The firm said it would continue its focus and “pro-active” approach to dealing with the current economic environment for manufacturers and in competing with low cost countries.

A company statement said: “Moving forward the business has an ongoing need to perpetually reduce cost, improve internal business systems and manufacturing and logistics supply chain efficiencies.

“With this is mind Nifco UK is forging close ties with Nifco Poland (and other Nifco companies) to allow [us] to offer LCC [life cycle cost] prices on certain products whilst bidding for other products thus offering our existing and new customers a comprehensive pricing strategy for their chosen product portfolio.”

The firm also said it would look to increase the level of automation at its factory to improve efficiency and decrease costs to remain competitive.

Earlier this month Nifco announced plans for a new factory to tap into the car market recovery.

The group’s cost cutting in 2009 included the closure of its Sutton distribution facility and the repatriation of Japanese support staff back to Japan.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .