Serving the Teesside Business Community | 17
Export
boom boosts
manufacturers –
survey
M
anufacturers in the region are
continuing to enjoy positive
conditions across most economic
indicators, according to a closely watched
survey published by EEF and BDO LLP.
The Manufacturing Outlook survey for the
third quarter shows that whilst output (+18)
and orders have slipped back slightly from
the last quarter’s very strong performance
they are still firmly positive and are forecast
to pick up in the final months of the year.
In particular, export orders (+20) are
especially strong, reflecting the national
picture of a sector benefitting from both a
pick-up in the Eurozone and other growing
markets around the world. This picture is
expected to remain stable in the coming
months.
The UK market is much weaker, however,
reflecting a pattern across the UK of
consumers being squeezed and political
uncertainty.
Despite the weaker UK market, business
confidence amongst North-East firms has
risen to the second highest of any UK region.
This is reflected in a continued boost for
employment and demand for skills with
recruitment intentions remaining strong at
+19, while investment intentions have also
remained positive.
Despite the buoyant picture, the cloud
on the horizon remains the UK economy.
While firms are confident of their own
performance, EEF’s indicator for the UK
economy has slipped for the second quarter
running in response to the continued political
uncertainty and squeeze on consumer
spending. As a result EEF continues to
expect tepid growth of 1.7% this year and
1.3% in 2018.
Scott Duncan, regional manager for EEF in
the North-East, said: “Manufacturers appear
to have taken the recent political upheaval
in their stride and are taking advantage of
growing world markets to make hay while
the sun shines.
“This period is likely to be the peak,
however, and we are likely to see a more
stable picture in the coming months rather
than any further significant acceleration.
“There is little doubt that Brexit is likely
to weigh on sentiment over the next 12
months, with uncertainty over the UK’s
terms of exit.”
Nifco managing director Mike Matthews
MBE is currently looking to take on new
tooling experts and engineers.
People
power
driving Nifco’s
expansion
“
People Power” has long been a phrase
used by Nifco boss Mike Matthews to
describe what he believes has driven the
expansion of his Teesside-based business.
Now the managing director of the
Eaglescliffe car parts manufacturer explains
why the firm – which produces parts used in
the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars
made by the world’s best known car brands
– is set to invest further in its people, as it
continues the upward trajectory that has
transformed it from financial failure less than
a decade ago, to one of the region’s brightest
success stories.
“It’s been a fantastic run for Nifco, and
for the last eight years, we have enjoyed
strategic expansion, which is tremendous.
“There is no doubt though that skills and
people are our lifeblood and without them,
Nifco could not be all it is today,” explains
Matthews, who started off his own working
life as an apprentice.
The company has added a raft of new
roles to its roster over the course of the last
decade or so, including apprenticeships, an
area of the business that continues to be a
focus.
“Clichéd as it sounds, young people are
the future, and we cannot survive long-term
with an ageing team. We have to invest in
tomorrow's team.”
But that commitment does not come at
the expense of more experienced people.
The firm is currently on the look-out for
tooling experts and engineers.
“It's about achieving a mix of skills,” says
Mike.
“A team of apprentices needs guidance
from experienced people, while experienced
people often benefit from having the
innovative approach and fresh-thinking that
apprentices can bring to a role.
“We simply say it's people power that
drives our business. People of all kinds, who
together make the difference, and who have
made Nifco the huge success it is today.”
To find out more about opportunities
at Nifco, visit www.nifcoeu.com or follow
@NifcoUK on Twitter.