A Coleshill presswork manufacturer is bucking industry trends by seeing a growth in its business.

With doom and gloom currently surrounding manufacturing in the West Midlands, H T Brigham said it was feeling far more positive about things. In recent months the company, which supplies components primarily to the automotive and construction sectors, said it had seen a definite upturn on two fronts.

Firstly, its existing overseas accounts, which make up around 45 per cent of turnover, are seeing an increase in demand due to a combination of competitive costing strategy, outstanding quality accreditations and the weakness of the pound.

Secondly, although the engineering company has been subjected to dramatic increases in the cost of raw materials, fuel and associated costs, which has in turn forced it to reluctantly impose price increases of its own, this is only the same as has happened to its competitors both at home and abroad.

Consequently, many UK manufacturers are no longer able to benefit from cost savings which sourcing from the Far East once offered. In a bid to cut logistic costs these companies are now seeking to bring orders back to the UK.

This strategy is making component buyers sit up and request benchmark costings from UK based manufacturers.

The Coleshill firm’s enquiry book is currently in a healthy state and the company said it put it in a perfect position to capitalise on foreign loss of orders and in turn secure future business and job security at a time when other industry sectors were floundering.