Pictured above: (l-r) Simon Griffiths (MAS-WM), Caroline Spelman (MP), Terry Somerfield and Adrian Chell (both ZF Lemforder UK)

One of the West Midlands' best performing automotive plants has built on recent MX Awards success by confirming it has been nominated to work on the next generation of Land Rover models.

The announcement was made by ZF Lemforder UK during a visit from Caroline Spelman (MP for Meriden and Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and MAS-WM Chief Executive Simon Griffiths, designed to highlight the importance of advanced manufacturing to the region. 

It means the company will be involved in just-in-sequence supply of all chassis corner modules for the next Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery models, extending an existing 6-year partnership into 2020 and safeguarding jobs at its plants in Solihull and Darlaston.

Terry Somerfield, Managing Director of ZF Lemforder UK, admitted 2010 had been a good year for the business:

"Like most companies, the previous twelve months saw volumes drop at an alarming rate so to emerge from the global downturn in such a strong position is excellent news.

"The nomination for the next generation of Land Rover vehicles is a massive step forward for the business and testimony to some of the qualities that saw us secure IMechE MX Awards in 'Logistics and Resource Efficiency' and 'Best Financial Management'."

He continued: "These accolades recognised strong customer partnerships, innovative use of the exchange rate when selling our products and our unique ability to supply finished corner modules to Lode Lane within four hours of an order being received."

The MAS-organised visit gave Caroline Spelman the opportunity to tour ZF Solihull's state-of-the-art facility on Birmingham International Park and to chat to the management team and staff about skills shortages, low carbon vehicles and competing with global rivals. 

She also received a firsthand insight into the just-in-sequence practices the company uses to supply nearly 87,000 complete corner sets each year. This involves wheel assembles that include hub, knuckle, control arm, driveline, brake calipers and wheel discs.

In the last twenty-two months, it has achieved a zero PPM quality score and 100% on time-delivery.

"Our economy needs a strong manufacturing and engineering base and we have a great deal of this expertise in the West Midlands," said Caroline Spelman MP.

"All of the staff at ZF Lemforder UK embraced new working patterns and took short-time working in order to cope with the economic downturn and the end result has been a stronger business emerging from the recession. 

"I am delighted it was recognised for its work at the Manufacturing Excellence Awards earlier this year and news of future work is extremely welcome."

The Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands has played an important role in the manufacturer's recent growth having supported it through the successful Automotive Response Programme (ARP) last year. 

Funding was directed into bringing in specialist support to help with implementing a common business enterprise package across the two plants to fit in with the global direction taken by the parent group.

The additional assistance helped ZF Lemforder UK to create robust action plans, develop a system to suit its manufacturing requirements and introduce new visual management processes to improve efficiency in the stores.

MAS-WM's Simon Griffiths, who was on the judging panel for the MX Awards, picked up the story: 

"ARPdelivered support to ZF Lemforder UK exactly when it was needed. As a result of the intervention, processes have been improved and a new product family secured, bringing in sales of £10m and safeguarding 30 jobs."

With 123 production facilities across the world, ZF is globally renowned as a world leader in automotive driveline and chassis technology. 

It offers the R&D, capabilities, investment and purchasing power you would come to expect from an organisation with a £9.3bn turnover and a workforce in excess of 60,480.

The UK continues to be a key area for supplying Europe and domestic customers like Jaguar and Land Rover, with the Solihull plant joined by a larger operation in Darlaston, employing a combined total of over 330 people.

Together, over £82m in annual sales is generated by the production centres in the West Midlands.