MAJOR production improvements are under way at an automotive parts supplier thanks to help from an industry body.

Experts from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Industry Forum, in Birmingham, have visited steering systems company NSK, in Peterlee, County Durham, to help the company boost its production.

NSK used the forum's masterclass improvement programme to make changes to its production line which have proved worthwhile. These have included a 260 per cent improvement in stock returns, and 127 per cent improvement in people productivity.

A team of the forum's engineers worked with NSK to make sustainable improvements, looking at the layout of the production line, cycle times, operator inefficiencies and problem solving.

NSK plant manager Nigel Hardy said: "The MasterClass not only demonstrated the ability to achieve immediate and sustainable tangible benefits, but more importantly, it helped to create the cornerstones upon which we continue to build."

SMMT set up its industry forum in 1996. Funding comes from the Government, SMMT members and component suppliers which take part in the forum's successful improvement programmes.

Industry Forum chief executive Graham Broome said: "I am delighted with the hard work shown by NSK and the improvements it has reaped as a result."

NSK, which supplies steering units to Nissan, Toyota and Land Rover, employs 180 workers.