Manufacturer receives special recognition for supplier excellence

A global manufacturer welcomed a delegation of special guests to its Sunderland plant this month [3 Sep] as its staff were presented with a special accolade from one of its largest customers.

Argus Powerbend, which employs over 130 people at its Pennywell Industrial Estate factory, hosted a group of senior executives from engine manufacturer Perkins Engines, part of the Caterpillar Group.

The visit saw the delegation receive a tour of the site, meet and greet staff and present a prestigious award to Argus Powerbend's UK operations director, Johan Swanepoel, recognising the company's role as a 'key supplier; to the manufacturer.

Argus Powerbend began working with Perkins Engines in 2018 and has since become one of its leading suppliers for the provision of stainless-steel tubular components and after-treatment for its engines.

Speaking at the event, Johan said: "It is a great honour to receive this award and to participate in Caterpillar's supplier excellence program. We welcome the opportunity to show their representatives from Perkins Engines our state-of-the-art Sunderland facility.

"As a global engine manufacturer, Perkins Engines counts hundreds of businesses among its supply chain, so to be among the few to receive this certificate of excellence is testament to the ingenuity of the incredible team of engineers we have assembled here in Sunderland.

"Over several decades, our staff have played a key role in helping ensure Argus Powerbend remains a world-leader in the provision of fluid handling solutions and this award is testament to all of their amazing work."

Argus Powerbend, part of the global Alfagomma Group, manufactures a range of hydraulic pipelines, exhaust after treatment and structural parts for tractors, trucks, lawnmowers and construction machines.

Counting the likes of CNH, Caterpillar, Perkins, JCB and Ransomes Jacobson among its customers, the firm exports its products to customers across the globe and has invested heavily in its Sunderland plant since completing the purchase of the building in 2021.

Johan added: "Almost 25 years ago, when I came here for the first time, my remit was to wind the business down ahead of it being relocated.

"However, I quickly realised there was a skillset here that you couldn't replicate anywhere else in the country. We decided then to invest in the city as opposed to wind down and the rest is history.

"It's been a roaring success and for our parent company Alfagomma to make this investment sends a clear message that they are committed to Sunderland and reaffirms the group's continued investment into the business."

As well as investing in staff and machinery, the purchase of the site has also seen the firm invest heavily into renovating the building.

This includes new and improved break-out areas for staff, upgrades to infrastructure and green improvements to make the site more environmentally sustainable.

"The purchase of the factory allowed us to significantly refurbish the building, as we never really had the ability to do so having previously leased the unit," Johan added.

"We've also introduced more energy efficient lighting, heating systems and have just made general improvements to make it a better, more efficient place to work.

"It's our plant and our future, and you can see that the staff already feel much more secure about their futures as a result.

"They can see the investment into the business and our employees, and it's really had a positive impact on morale and productivity. It's a very exciting time for the business."

Cllr Kevin Johnston, portfolio holder for business, housing and regeneration at Sunderland City Council, joined Argus Powerbend and Perkins Engineering for the award presentation.

He said: "With a history spanning over 40 years in the city, it's absolutely fantastic to see Argus Powerbend continuing to invest in the future of its Sunderland plant and to receive such a prestigious accolade from one of its largest customers.

"The firm's continued investment into the city will not only provide opportunities for local people but will also allow it to continue flying the flag for British engineering the world-over, right here from the North East.

"It is a great success story for the city and we are excited to see how the company continues to grow building on all of its success to date and this fantastic accolade"