Tipton firm lands £4 million Mini parts deal

A Tipton car interiors company has won a £4 million contract to make components for the BMW Mini, which will create 15 jobs at the firm alone.

CAB Automotive in Tipton already makes seats and interior trim for customers including Jaguar Land Rover. Now the Sedgley Road East firm has won the major order to make components for the Mini as a second tier supplier.

This contract alone will increase the company's turnover by 20 per cent. The new work will start in the last quarter of next year.

Bosses announced just last month that growth had created sufficient demand for a night shift, which will create 30 jobs. The firm will recruit skilled programme engineers, programme managers and shop floor staff.

Managing director John Faulkner said: "We have won work directly as well but to be honest we do not mind what work we get, whether it be in a second tier role supplying interior components for other suppliers, or otherwise. In the last few months we have been very busy and that's all you can ask for."

In recent months, the firm's workforce has swollen to more than 210 after winning multi-million pound contracts with the biggest names in the car industry.

The BMW group yesterday announced investment of £250 million into production of the Mini in the UK, including the Hams Hall engine factory in Birmingham.