Specialist industrial parts distributor Antifriction Components is investing more than £300,000 in its Bristol logistic and office facilities as it continues to build its national brand.
The firm, with more than 90 staff across 12 UK sites, will is opening a 20,000 sq ft warehouse at Pioneer Park, St Philips, to enable it to enhance its customer-led stock policy.
The overhaul also includes new offices as a base for its 16-strong national customer account management team, with a further 25 executive, warehouse and admin employees based permanently on site.
Commercial director Andy Fleming said: “This new facility has enabled us to increase our stocks by over £500,000, even though we have the largest stocks in the South West already.
“It will enable us to improve our service and will reduce delivery times for the whole of our UK distribution network.
“We have grown 37% over the past three years in challenging times for the economy. This investment will enable us to continue to grow strongly over the coming years, helping us improve customer satisfaction by reducing costs and helping clients to become more profitable.”
Antifriction, established in Bristol in 1976, supplies bearings, belt drives, chains, lubricants, seals, gearboxes, motors and fluid power products to industry sectors including food and beverage, construction, metals, paper, recycling and energy.
The investment highlights the commitment of Italian owners Gruppo Bianchi in partnership with Mondial to assist Antifriction’s progress, which it acquired in May 2011.
Managing director Bob Davis said: “We are particularly strong in the western half of the UK and especially in our heartland of the South West and South Wales.
“But we want to develop our reach and service seamlessly across the country and this new facility will help achieve that goal.
“We are ambitious. I see Antifriction building a stronger national base and brand that will help attract more of the best supply partners and in turn more customers.
“There will be significant investment in infrastructure with more branches opening in locations outside where we have traditionally had a well-established presence.”
Antifriction has signed agreements with SMC, Henkel and Kluber in the past 12 months to add to its supplier base.
Pictured: Antifriction directors Bob Davis, left, and Andy Fleming in the firm's warehouse
