A Midlands supplier of commercial vehicle engineering and industrial hardware is reshoring component production from China with the help of experts from the Manufacturing Technology Centre.
Bloxwich-based Albert Jagger Engineering, which has been producing metal components for more than 70 years, has already reshored production of almost a quarter of a million fastening components and in the process has, in some cases, reduced costs by up to 50%.
An SME team from the MTC’s Manufacturing Support Services operation worked with Albert Jagger to revolutionise their factory. The team of 11 MTC engineers produced a new factory layout, introduced new technology including CNC machines and automation, and re-trained staff using virtual and augmented reality (V/AR).
As a result, the firm was able to produce fastening components which had previously been imported from China for between 20 – 50% of the cost. In addition, the business has slashed stockholding costs by 50% and created space in the factory for future growth.
Magnus McFarlane, Lead Advisor with the MTC’s transformation team, comented: “The management team at Albert Jagger have delivered an amazing transformation – visually, culturally and technologically.
“Their strategy of reshoring production is one that a number of UK businesses may be considering, and at Albert Jagger they have created an agile facility and a resilient supply chain.”
Albert Jagger’s Chief Executive, Garth Cooper added: “We are already seeing the benefits of our strategy to reshore and recently secured 200,000 units of product originally outsourced to China.”
Albert Jagger supplies products to a range of automotive companies including commercial vehicle manufacturers, agriculture, construction, rail, medical, aerospace and emergency services.
The MTC Manufacturing Support Services team has worked with more than 500 SMEs, and at any one time has more than 150 live projects.
The MTC was founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd, and its industrial members include some of the UK’s leading manufacturers.
Part the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the government’s manufacturing strategy.
*All images courtesy of Albert Jagger Engineering
