The winner of the overall Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) Company of the Year Award 2017, sponsored by Bentley Motors Ltd, was Klarius Products; the company also won the Logistics Excellence Award, sponsored by DHL Supply Chain.
The NAA describes Klarius Products as one of Europe’s largest manufacturers of type approved replacement emission control parts. Working from its manufacturing base in Cheadle, Staffordshire the company encompasses a technical development centre, emission test track and logistics centre (AutoLogistiks). It was described as operating a passionate continuous improvement culture to drive its business. The company’s test and development facilities were also highlighted as being used by OEMs and Tier 1 companies in the UK for emission testing and prototyping.
The NAA confirmed in a statement that: “The winners of the Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) Awards 2017 show that there is real progress being made in the region’s automotive sector, in areas as diverse as emission control, the manufacture of bespoke supercars, sustainable carbon fibre production and factories harnessing the latest Industry 4.0 technologies.”
During the awards ceremony held on 9th November 2017 with over 270 members present it was acknowledged that Klarius Products had developed a new approach to supporting its customers, by reducing delivery timescales to distributors from 2-3 days to overnight, at no extra cost. This is increasing the company’s sales and enabling it to become embedded within its customers’ systems. In addition, having an entire ethos focused on lean manufacturing, together with a genuine all-around capability, was the reason for Klarius Products winning the NAA Company of the Year Award 2017.
Commenting on receiving the Awards, Paul Hannah, Business Development Director at Klarius Products, said “We are delighted to have won the Northern Automotive Alliance Logistics Excellence and Company of the Year Awards. We’re also pleased to have recently become a member of the NAA community, which promotes and shares best practice in the industry – the annual Awards being a perfect demonstration of this. We are looking forward to the networking and introductions that the NAA facilitates.”
Carol Holden OBE, NAA Chief Executive, commented: “This year’s NAA Award winners show that the region’s automotive industry has genuinely moved forward in many areas, ranging from the introduction of new business products and services to the adoption of the latest technologies. The NAA exists to support its member companies, and the growth of many of our businesses shows that success is possible even against a backdrop of challenges and uncertainties both nationally and internationally.”
Wes Jacklin, Chairman of Directors and Advisory Board, Northern Automotive Alliance added: “Our Industrial Strategy has given the NAA an opportunity to gather the views of its members, and the feedback was very strong that, while national requirements provide the backbone for our automotive activity, regional requirements can be significantly different across the country. In the area covered by the NAA we have a very varied range of companies supporting the industry, and our 2017 Award winners reflect this diversity. To ensure continued success and growth, it’s important that we have an Industrial Strategy solution that works for everyone, and that the NAA continues to provide support relevant to the companies in the Northern region.”
About: The Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA)
The Northern Automotive Alliance (NAA) is an independent, not-for-profit company which provides a membership service combined with a project management delivery function to the automotive community. The NAA supports micro-companies through to the (locally-based) global vehicle manufacturers. It offers a diverse service using its established networks. This includes the provision of training, events, funding applications and strategic, business and technical advice.
The NAA was launched in March 2004 with support from regional government funding. From mid-2010 the funding landscape changed and the NAA became an independent company. The governance of the NAA is via a small number of directors and a large advisory board representing the local industry.
The NAA is a strong believer in partnership and collaborative working with both industry and relevant public-sector organisations such as BEIS, DIT, universities, local councils and LEPs. The NAA also works with relevant trade organisations including the SMMT, Automotive Council, EEF and SEMTA.
Find out more at www.northernautoalliance.com
