BQ Interview: Mike Matthews on the success of Nifco and the future of the business

All posts in the Nifco blog.

  • Nifco UK Receives Ford Q1 Award - 8th October 2021

    We are delighted to receive the prestigious Q1 award from Ford Motor Company for Nifco UK consistently exceeding the stringent quality and delivery standards required of Ford’s component part suppliers. Paul Reynolds, Ford’s Senior STA Engineer, complimented the Ford team at Nifco UK on their hard work and how they had turned operations around, which […]

  • Jim Casey Announced as New Managing Director of Nifco UK - 20th June 2019

    Car parts manufacturer Nifco UK has appointed Jim Casey to the position of Managing Director. Jim joins the Nifco team after more than 14 years working at Lear Corporation, a global manufacturer of automotive seating and e-systems, “This is an exciting move for me,” says Jim. “I have worked in automotive for more than 30 […]

  • Industry Changing Automotive Project Reaches Completion at Nifco - 18th March 2019

    Hot on the heels of celebrating five years in operation, the Research & Development team at local manufacturing giant, Nifco UK, has brought a major, potentially industry-changing, project to its successful conclusion after a 12-month development phase. The nine-strong R&D team at the Eaglescliffe-based business, which manufactures parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors […]

  • R&D Team Celebrates End of Fifth Year - 12th December 2018

    The Research & Development team at local manufacturing giant, Nifco UK, is celebrating five full years in operation, since the department opened in 2014 with just two employees. The Eaglescliffe-based business, which manufactures parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars produced by Ford, General Motors, Honda , Jaguar Landrover, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall […]

  • Nifco Reports Another year of Growth - 5th July 2018

    CAR PARTS manufacturer Nifco UK shrugged off industry and economic headwinds to report record sales last year. The Eaglescliffe-based company, which produces parts used for some of the world’s largest car makers, saw sales hit £75.9m for the 12 months ending 31 December 2017, up from £71m in 2016. The company has attributed the rise […]

  • National Apprenticeship Week and Beyond - 6th March 2018

    NATIONAL Apprenticeship Week once again shines a spotlight on the young people who are taking their first tentative steps into industry.  It’s a welcome reminder to businesses of the vast benefits that apprentices can bring, not only to individual corporates, but to UK Plc at large. We know that year-after-year, the media gets behind Apprenticeship […]

  • Nifco Scoops Duo of Awards - 14th February 2018

    ONE OF the North East’s best-known businessmen has been further recognised after winning a coveted automotive award. Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of car parts business Nifco UK, was recognised for his role in raising the profile of the Automotive sector, winning Outstanding Contribution to the North East Automotive Industry at the North East Automotive […]

  • Every Success Brings Teesside One Step Closer to Autonomy - 8th February 2018

    Not many years ago the journey for young Teessiders was one-way: college, university or training centre followed by a hopeful look around for a local job and then on the first train out to a more promising long-term future. Now the landscape has changed and the challenge for major employers like Nifco UK in Stockton […]

  • Nifco’s Success is a Result of Investment in People - 5th December 2017

    Automotive manufacturer Nifco UK has seen eight consecutive years of planned and strategic growth, reporting a turnover in the last financial year of £71m and the reason for that growth, quite simply is investment in people. The Eaglescliffe-based business, which manufactures parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars produced by BMW Mini, […]

  • New blood at Nifco, but more effort required by employers across industry - 19th October 2017

    NORTH East manufacturing giant Nifco UK is celebrating recruiting its latest cohort of apprentices, but again raised concerns about the lack of efforts being taken to avert industry skill shortages. Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of Nifco UK, said he was proud of the firm’s commitment to apprenticeships, as he welcomed six new recruits into […]

  • Revenue Rise for Nifco - 28th June 2017

    CAR PARTS manufacturer Nifco has driven up sales, recording its highest ever annual turnover. The Eaglescliffe based business, which manufactures parts used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars produced by BMW Mini, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Landrover, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel closed its books with turnover standing at a record […]

  • Nifco among leading apprenticeship employers - 23rd January 2017

    MANUFACTURING powerhouse Nifco UK has been named among the leading lights for apprenticeships in the country, in a list to be published in The Sunday Telegraph this weekend. The Eaglescliffe based employer, whose MD Mike Matthews entered industry as an apprentice, has made the Centrica Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list for 2016, which is compiled […]

  • Nifco apprentices cruise through course - 22nd November 2016

    CAR PARTS manufacturer Nifco is celebrating student success, with seven of its apprentices now time-served. The Eaglescliffe based company, which makes parts that are used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by BMW Mini, Ford, Honda, Jaguar Landrover, Nissan, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel is hosting an apprentice graduation event for Ben Arthy, […]

  • Nifco shines at Apprenticeship Awards - 12th October 2016

    Automotive components company, Nifco, is once again adding to its trophy cabinet after being named North East Large Employer of the Year at today’s (October 6) National Apprenticeship Awards.  The Eaglescliffe business was named winner at the North East, Yorkshire & Humber heat, held in York, which will see the firm put forward for the […]

  • Another year of growth at Nifco - 5th October 2016

    Nifco UK, which makes parts that are used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by BMW Mini, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land-Rover, Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel, has reported positive growth for the year ending 2015. Mike Matthews, managing director of Nifco UK, said that the figures reflected a year of […]

  • Nifco driving forward automotive futures - 28th September 2016

    A NORTH EAST manufacturer is taking teaching beyond the confines of the classroom, as part of an innovative new programme to create the future automotive workforce. Nifco UK, plastic automotive components manufacturer, hosted its first Automotive Cadetship session at its state-of-the-art facility in Eaglescliffe last week [September 21] as part of the High Tide Foundation’s […]

  • Composite oil pan is thermoplastic fantastic for Nifco - 31st August 2016

    PLASTIC car parts manufacturer Nifco UK has released details of a cutting-edge new product, designed as part of the Jaguar Land Rover ALIVE6 Project with government funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre. The North East based manufacturer – part of global brand Nifco Inc – has shared details of its innovative new oil pan that […]

  • Ingenious way to attract new skills - 13th July 2016

    A NORTH East manufacturer has taken to the streets to bang the drum for manufacturing and inspire the next generation of engineers. Nifco UK, an Eaglescliffe-based manufacturer that produces plastic parts that are used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by brands like Ford, Nissan and Jaguar Landrover, took its high-tech equipment […]

  • North East businessman listed in industry’s big league - 16th June 2016

    ONE of the region’s leading businessmen has been named among the most influential in his industry, UK-wide. Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of Eaglescliffe-based plastics manufacturer Nifco UK, was listed in the 70-strong line-up of UK influencers in the domestic plastics sector, along with household names like inventor James Dyson, famous for his revolutionary vacuums, […]

  • Setting up for success - 5th May 2016

    SUCCESS.  It’s something that all businesses aspire to achieve – but every business has their own idea of what it means.  Whether it is turning over millions of pounds, making products that people love or creating jobs that people enjoy, success can mean something very different to individual businesses. So how do we measure success […]

  • Awards key to business success - 27th April 2016

    After scooping overall winner of one of the region’s most prestigious awards, MANUFACTURING success story Nifco has urged other companies to benchmark their performance wherever possible.   The Eaglescliffe-based car parts manufacturer has been named Company of the Year at the North East Business Awards, winning because of excellence in all areas which made the […]

  • Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth - 7th April 2016

    It’s been an interesting time for the North East’s political landscape over the past few weeks. Throughout 2016, the buzz word for the region has been devolution – an opportunity, many believed, for the whole of the North East to steal a march and start to carve out a brighter future; a future that would […]

  • Teesside can learn lessons from Nifco - 29th March 2016

    AS TEESSIDE prepares to reimagine its economy, after seeing thousands of jobs go at the end of 2015, The Gazette speaks to Mike Matthews MBE, Nifco UK boss, about how his company has come through adversity. ‘Wind the clock back ten years or so, and we were in trouble. The early noughties were tough times, […]

  • Nifco secures latest award win -

    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 […]

  • The future’s green for Nifco -

    A NORTH East manufacturer is driving down its carbon footprint, after committing to reduce energy consumption and reduce waste. Nifco UK, a plastics manufacturer in Eaglescliffe, has received official ISO 50001 certification, in recognition of the business’ measures to reduce its energy use. With the new standard in place, the business is committing to reducing […]

  • NEAA Expo – Stadium of Light, Sunderland – 22nd September - 14th January 2016

    We are currently awaiting information for this event – watch this space for more information!

  • Automechanika – NEC Birmingham – 07-09 June -

    We are currently awaiting information for this event – watch this space for more information!

  • National win for North East success story - 12th October 2015

    A NORTH East car parts manufacturer has scooped the overall title at a prestigious industry awards. Nifco UK, which makes plastic components that are used in the engines, interiors and exteriors of cars made by Ford, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Toyota and Vauxhall Opel, has been named Processor of the Year at the Plastics Industry […]

  • Nifco team find new careers… at Nifco - 28th September 2015

    A MAJOR manufacturer in Teesside is doing its bit to tackle the skills gap, by hosting a careers fair that supports its own team in finding out more about the roles available to them internally. Nifco UK, an Eaglescliffe based car parts maker, has hosted an internal Careers Development Fair, as a chance for its […]

  • Nifco celebrates 25 years on Teesside - 20th July 2015

    A QUARTER of a century ago, Japanese automotive manufacturer, Nifco Inc established links to Teesside. And 25 years on, the only way is up for the £45million car parts manufacturer, as NAME at The Journal finds out. THE North East’s credentials as a burgeoning European hub for the automotive sector have never been stronger, from […]

  • Middlesbrough College Deal - 9th April 2015

    Nifco puts Middlesbrough College in driving seat GROWING manufacturing business Nifco UK is putting money back into Teesside by partnering with a local institution to provide more than £285,000 worth of training. Nifco UK has recently completed the first year of a three-year operative training programme with Middlesbrough College. The programme will see staff at […]

  • Marketing appointment to drive Nifco forward - 1st April 2015

    We are delighted to welcome Erika to our team, we are looking forward to what her marketing expertise may bring. Read our press release below for more information. AUTOMOTIVE manufacturer Nifco is moving its marketing up a gear with the appointment of a new communications manager. The Eaglescliffe based business has added experienced marketing professional […]

  • £750,000 kit set to break the mould -

    More exciting times here at Nifco, read more about our fantastic Dynamometer below. NORTH East plastics manufacturer Nifco UK Ltd has invested in a £750,000 machine that will allow it to produce cutting edge parts for its automotive clients. The Eaglescliffe business, which produces parts that are used in the engines and interiors of cars […]

  • Nifco UK secures £50m deal - 27th February 2015

    Today we are happy to announce that we have won our largest ever contract, see our news story below. CAR PARTS manufacturer Nifco UK has announced that it has won its largest ever contract today. The Eaglescliffe plastics manufacturer, which produces parts used in car engines and interiors, has revealed that it has won a […]

  • BQ Interview: Mike Matthews on the success of Nifco and the future of the business - 16th December 2014

    Here’s a sneak peak of an interview with Mike that appeared in BQ Magazine, discussing leadership, apprentices, and the skills gap, as well as his history with Nifco and the future of the business.   Mike Matthews isn’t short of words about apprenticeships or about competence of British workers vis a vis their German counterparts. […]

  • Nifco sponsors New Designers Event in London. - 30th July 2014

    We are currently awaiting information for this event – watch this space for more information!

  • Women are steering their careers into Manufacturing. - 23rd July 2014

    Nifco UK was recently featured in a press release as part of the National Women in Engineering Day 2014. Nifco UK is committed to developing women in our industry. To date, we have had more than 50 female employees who have completed a VRQ Level 3 Career Advancement and Progression programme designed to support females […]

  • North East Business Executive of the Year – The Journal. - 9th July 2014

    Last year’s North East Business Executive of the Year – Nifco UK European operations officer and managing director Mike Matthews. Last year it was the man who has steered North East car parts manufacturer Nifco UK to success who was named North East Business Executive of the Year. Mike Matthews, European operations officer and managing […]

  • Mike Matthews Key Note speaker at Durham Oktoberfest – The Northen Echo - 27th June 2014

    MIKE Matthews, European Operations Officer for car parts manufacturer Nifco will be keynote speaker at this year’s Durham Oktoberfest. Mr Matthews, who started at the company as an apprentice after leaving school, has worked his way up through the business, playing an important role in Nifco’s transformation from one which, just 10 years ago, was […]