Press Release

Published on 31/10/2007

NT Precision: Bosses Alan Ashcroft and Mike Norris

By Dave Gudgeon

A HIGH-tech Cumbrian engineering company is finding more and more business on its own doorstep.

When NT Precision began life on the Derwent Mills commercial park in Cockermouth seven years ago a staggering 95 per cent of its work came from overseas.

Specially-manufactured precision tooling equipment for the automotive industry went to the United States, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic and India.

But last year saw a significant increase in demand from local companies with 28 per cent of turnover being generated in the region.

The turnaround was sparked through a link-up with the West Cumbria Supply Chain Network to ensure other companies in the county were aware of skills available on the doorstep.

The firm’s engineering director, Alan Ashcroft, said: “When we set up the business in Cumbria we knew potential customers were having difficultly finding a local company that offered a complete service for engineering design and manufacture. This gap in the market provided us with some great opportunities.”

NT Precision has recently carried out contracts for James Walker Ltd, Planet Knox and the Cumberland Pencil Company which is switching its base from Keswick to Workington.

Managing director Mike Norris said: “Our international clients provide us with larger, but less frequent, projects so it is very reassuring to know we are gaining such varied business from our own region.

The West Cumbria Supply Chain Network and Business Link have been keen to work with NT Precision and have provided marketing support.

Bill Walker, project manager for the Supply Chain Network, said: “NT Precision’s recently launched website aims to appeal to local and international trade, so not only do they plan to keep business within the county, they will also be bringing more international trade to the local economy too.”