Manufacturer in major reshoring project

Johnathan Dudley of Crowe (left) with Andrew Cooper, Mark Hilton and Garth Cooper of Albert Jagger

A Black Country manufacturer, one of the largest manufacturers and suppliers to the commercial vehicle bodybuilder, boat builder, agricultural and engineering industries in the UK, has announced it has reshored a significant part of its manufacturing process.

In 2017, Albert Jagger, founded in 1887, reviewed its supply chain in terms of location, quality, certainty of supply and cost of procurement.

With the uncertainty around Brexit, Albert Jagger was prepared to bring the manufacture of one of its signature products back to the UK from China.

Albert Jagger was introduced to the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in 2018, where they began a review of operations with reshoring antiluce production at the forefront. The team at MTC remapped the shop floor looking at product flow optimisation and advised investment in CNC machinery.

Following an 18-month project, production of the antiluce fastener range is now back at its manufacturing facility, Albert Jagger Engineering, Vincent Works in Bloxwich.

The reintroduction of antiluce manufacturing has cost over £500,000 and saw production begin on 1 June 2019, expecting around 750,000 antiluce to be produced in the first year.

Continuous investment into year two will see a second CNC machine double production figures.

The company was advised by audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe.

Andrew Cooper, general manager at Albert Jagger, said: “From the outset, Johnathan Dudley and the team at Crowe worked with us at Albert Jagger in identifying key financial and time limiting markers. Without the guidance and reassurance from Crowe, Albert Jagger wouldn’t have felt confident in starting the process.”

Dudley said: “Clients are often surprised at how hands-on we are prepared to be. This project has been both challenging and rewarding for the team at Crowe, but it is great to note that the project was delivered, and production started on time.

“We wish Albert Jagger well and are very proud to have been involved in reshoring one of the flagship products of one of the Black Country’s best-known industrial names. As a key export product, it’s great to be associated with a project that contributes to future-focused international trading.”

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