Product category:
Materials processing and testing
News Release from: NPL Technologies
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 13 November 2002
Three card trick for NPL
NPL Technologies recently organised a three-day event to mark a triple celebration.
NPL Technologies recently organised a three-day event to mark a triple celebration: a 25% expansion of its UK production facility; the majority acquisition of a major US motor industry supplier in Mexico; and the 40th anniversary of the company NPL Technologies is a key supplier of patterns, moulds and tooling to the European automotive industry including BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar, Cosworth, three of the leading F1 teams as well as the aerospace and rail markets
Over the past five years the company has trebled its sales and doubled its workforce.
The 25% increase in production capacity to 4000m2 includes a 400m2 expansion of the pattern shop and a 600m2 acquisition of adjacent premises.
According to Tony Lowe, Joint Managing Director: "As a result of a very successful contract for the life-size checking fixture of the BMW Mini we have had considerable customer interest in climate controlled confidential studio facilities and now have five such facilities".
Other investment has included: 15 CNC machines, 16 CAD/CAM workstations and inspection machines in the new studios.
The second celebration relates to the acquisition of a 51% stake in Ditemsa, a Mexican based toolmaker, which is a subsidiary of the Mexican conglomerate Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS).
Two companies owned by GIS are the two major head and block foundries, Cifunsa and Castech, key suppliers to the US auto industry.
Cifunsa and Castech are now major customers of the new joint venture NPL-Ditemsa, and this is expected to result in a 50% increase in NPL turnover next year.
Lowe added: "Mexico is the largest single market worldwide in the foundry industry.
The US automotive industry relies on Mexico as a prime source for castings because of the high quality and low labour costs".
"We became aware of the potential for our experience, craftsmanship and technology in supplying this major market but felt we needed a partner in Mexico".
"Ditemsa's parent company GIS realised they needed quality tooling support to maintain supply to the US automotive companies and selected four world players in patternmaking and foundry tooling from the US, Italy, Germany and the UK to pitch for the business".
"After extensive consideration NPL was selected as the partner.
We are delighted at the joint venture opportunity and our majority holding".
Nick Crockett, Director Foundry Tooling at NPL in the UK has been transferred to assist in the management of the new operations in Mexico, with Luis Manuel Aguirre of GIS, and Oliver Johnson, joint Managing Director, NPL, on a part time basis.
The foundry tooling market in Mexico is worth over GBP 50 million and NPL expects to gain a significant share.
The third celebration is the 40th anniversary of the company which was originally named Nuneaton Patterns.
To mark this special birthday Nuneaton MP Bill Olner officially opened the extended facilities, and the company organised a special day for employees and their families and friends which included: visits and tours of the facility, a children's party and a special dinner dance in the evening.
• NPL Technologies: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Engineeringtalk email newsletter
• Engineeringtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
