High Volume Presswork Manufacturer Nurtures Green Shoots in Foreign Fields
It’s fair to say that the UK economy is going through a very troublesome period at present, which has had a massive impact on British manufacturing. Indeed H T Brigham, a Birmingham based metal pressing manufacturer, has seen numerous ‘competitors’ fall by the wayside, but the company is braving the storm and feels optimistic about brighter times ahead.
The impact of increases in the cost of raw materials and other overheads across the globe, has made sourcing from the East a less attractive option than it once was for many purchasers. Consequently, a shift of both manufacture and toolmaking supply now appears to be returning to the UK.
A flurry of benchmarking activity from British buyers, looking to assess whether sourcing from the UK is now again a more viable option, has had a positive effect on the company’s sales enquiry book during what has been an extremely trying time for UK manufacturing.
The presswork company has been able to capitalise on these changing market forces by gearing its purchasing department towards proactively working to procure material at the most competitive prices possible.
In addition to this, nominated sub-contract toolmakers are now collaborating with the company more closely than ever, offering their innovative tool designs, which are enabling the presswork company to be increasingly competitive in its bids to secure new business.
The cost of raw materials and transport are now slowly showing signs of reducing and H T Brigham is constantly striving to find better and more cost effective ways to lean manufacture.
Aided by the current exchange rate, H T Brigham is also seeing green shoots of opportunity within foreign markets and the company has just secured an order for 2 million automotive components from a brand new European customer, which is due to commence manufacture in the New Year.
The company’s sales forecast indicates that business will be picking up again by the end of the first quarter 2009, so currently it really does look like it’s a case of riding the storm. The firm optimistically looks forward to the New Year and with it, an upturn in existing schedules and the start of some lucrative new contracts.
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