CAR PARTS business Nifco has added two new awards to its trophy cabinet, after scooping category and overall titles at a prestigious ceremony last night [27 February].
The Eaglescliffe manufacturer, that produces plastic parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel, was named winner of the Teesside heat of the North East Business Awards. Boss Mike Matthews has spoken of his pride at winning, after getting through a year that he describes as being ‘more challenging than most’.
Despite being hit by adverse international trading conditions, the company has been able to grow once again, and was recognised at its local heat of the awards, winning Company of the Year, Let’s Grow Award and being named a finalist in the Heart of the Community category. It is the latest in a long line of wins for the business, which has previously taken the title of Company of the Year, as well as national industry awards.
Mike Matthews MBE, managing director and European operations officer, said that the awards meant a great deal to the business, which was able to navigate it way through a tough year thanks to some significant wins and the drive and commitment of an excellent team.
He said: ‘These awards serve as a reminder that our regional peers judge us to be an exemplary company and a business to engage with.
‘To have that sort of reputation in the Tees Valley is fantastic, and it is that reputation that will encourage people to join our business and work with us as part of an award-winning team. We’re coming out of a year that has been more challenging than most, and to still be recognised as the Tees Valley Company of the Year in 2016 is just fantastic.’
The company will now go through to an overall regional final, where winners from Teesside, Durham, Sunderland and South Tyneside and Tyneside, and Northumberland will battle it out in their respective categories to win overall Company of the Year, which Nifco last won in 2013.
For more information about Nifco, visit www.nifcoeu.com.