NIFCO Success

15th Apr 2011

The final part of the legal process behind the development of a new manufacturing base for Tees Valley car parts manufacturer Nifco UK has been sealed by a regional law firm.

North East solicitors BHP Law, led by partner Sonia Hunter, completed documents  including the construction and development agreements, land purchase, and grant funding as work got under way at the site of the new £8.5m factory in Stockton.

Sonia explained: “We bid for the work against other law firms and were appointed last October. Given the scale of the project and the various elements involved it has been a particularly fast turnaround.”

Nifco, which employs around 200 people, currently operates from a 44-year-old site that could not sustain the company’s desire to increase capacity.

The Japanese-owned firm supplies plastic injection-moulding components to UK automotive plants such as Nissan, Honda and Toyota, and exports to firms including Ford.

Construction of the new factory is due to be completed in November.

Sonia added: “It has been a real pleasure to be involved in this milestone project for Nifco UK and to work with managing director Mike Matthews and finance director Doug Binks in securing arrangements to meet their on-site start date.

“The legal matters have been challenging because of the timescale and complexities involved but the important thing was that we met our deadlines with a view to the new premises being completed in November.”

As well as the purchase of derelict land in Durham Lane, Sonia and the team advised on grant funding agreements between Nifco and regional development agency One North East.

Mr Matthews said: “Nifco UK have been delighted with the personal attention delivered by BHP during this project. Given the timescales and the dynamic circumstances of the project had this not been the case we would have probably missed our deadlines. Almost 24/7 access by email, mobile phone & audio conference engaging all partners in the project became the norm with traditional landline communication and face to face meetings becoming the minor occasion as opposed to the major. For me this really did define a new more efficient era in business that we could all benefit and learn from”

BHP Law worked in conjunction with local firms, project monitoring surveyors Silverstone Building Consultancy Ltd and building surveyors Dodds Brown, on the Nifco project.

The development is another landmark deal for BHP Law following Sonia’s work on behalf of Eaga plc to lease the former Northern Rock Tower building in Gosforth from Newcastle City Council.