Brynmawr component manufacturer TSA has doubled its turnover and almost trebled its workforce since a management buy out and has now entered the ranks of the auto industry's premier league of suppliers.
It marks a significant turn around of fortunes for the Brynmawr company which now employs 120 people and is still growing.
TSA's main business is injection moulding, providing plastic components for the auto industry as well as foams and rubbers for insulation for the electronics industry.
Its latest success is acquiring the TS 16949 Accreditation with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government's Acceleration programme. Certification is a mandatory requirement for most vehicle manufacturers and an internationally recognised standard.
It is considered a major achievement for an SME to gain this prestigious accreditation. It has elevated TSA to the top of the supply chain as it now joins the premier league as a Tier 1 supplier with the capability and quality to sell direct to car manufacturers.
The company, which is based on Blaenant Industrial Estate, now ranks alongside the global giants of the auto sector.
Managing director Roger Warr said the accreditation was a hallmark of quality and sent out a strong signal of their capability and achievements.
Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, congratulated TSA on its achievements.
He said: "The global automotive industry demands world class levels of product quality, productivity and competitiveness which is why the Assembly Government is working with businesses to help them raise their game, achieve these extremely important accreditations which can create new business opportunities.
"We have a dynamic automotive sector in Wales which employs more than 25,000 people and includes 40 of the top 100 global leaders and its good news to see an SME in the Heads of the Valleys making its mark in this way."
Mr Warr said: "It took 18 months to achieve accrediation and this illustrates our ambitions. It opens new doors and business opportunities for us and has really put us on the map. The support of the Assembly Government and its Acceleration programme was invaluable in helping us gain this accreditation.
"We are now developing ways of increasing the business with automotive OEMs and will now also be targeting the aerospace sector. "
Mr Warr and his colleagues Nigel Price, Kieron Skelly, Andrew Francis and Ken Wilson, led the management buy out when the previous owners were due to retire and have since transformed the company.
The firm has invested in the latest machinery, created 65 new jobs, doubled turnover and has also managed to buck the trend by supplying components to eastern European countries.
Its largest customer is RTek of Merthyr, which supplies door linings for Honda and Panasonic in the Czech Republic.
Roger Warr put the success down to teamwork and the loyal and flexible workforce who are all recruited locally. The company runs a 24/5 operation but have 12 different shift patterns to accommodate the workforce.
Mr Warr said they were now aiming to increase their exports, win new business from the automotive sector and doubling turnover.
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