After a highly competitive pitch with other leading European moulders, Birkby’s Plastics has signed a prestigious technical agreement with Global Automotive parts supplier Kumi Kasei of Japan. This significant partnership will involve close collaboration between Kumi Kasei and Birkby’s for the design and development of innovative automotive trim products for a leading Japanese automotive manufacturer.

One of the giants in the European plastics moulding industry, Birkby’s was in competition with ten leading European moulders in Germany, Italy and the UK for the Kumi Kasei partnership.

“This is a major achievement for Birkby’s,” explained managing director, Ian Hunter. “It gives us access to component design and engineering within the heart of the Japanese automotive market.”

Furthermore, this is seen as a strategic step for Kumi Kasei. They have producton facilities in Japan, Korea, China and the United States but it is the company’s first European collaboration.