Antifriction Components Limited, the Bristol based manufacturing parts supplier, is adding a new base in the south east as it continues to strengthen its national network of outlets.

The company, which was founded in 1976 from a single outlet, has been pursuing its strategy through acquisition and building new bespoke sites. The new depot in Feltham, near Heathrow, will bring the number of UK depots to 11.

The Feltham site will primarily stock the 3,000 most in demand components from Antifriction’s available inventory of over 200,000, whichincludes bearings, power transmission, seals and lubrication from leading brands such asSKF, Tsubaki, SMC & Klüber.

The Feltham site is the latest in a line of investment, which began in 2013 with£300,000 invested in the Antifriction Bristol HQ, which enabled it to stock an additional £500,000 worth of components on site.

Recent investment includes a new depot in Ellesmere Port, near Liverpool, and a£200,000 upgrade to Antifriction’s Birmingham branch.

The strategy is being managed by operations director, Andrew Fleming: “The Feltham base opens a new range of options that will benefit our client base in the South East. The greater access to businesses along the M3 and M4 corridors, Europe’s busiest airport and the south coast’s ports will ensure Antifiction offers unrivalled delivery and customer service.”

Antifriction works across heavy industries including manufacturing, metal processing, engineering, energy, recycling, paper and construction.

The improved access to the south east’s motorway network will open the opportunity to further grow its base in sectors such as food and drink, which has a strong presence in the region.

Fleming comments: “We have grown well in the past year, which is a tremendous achievement in a challenging market. Substantial investment in strengthening our national footprint is already attracting a larger client base by reducing delivery times, which is crucial in minimising disruption and delivering real value to clients.

“The Feltham site and new planned outlets for the East Midlands and South will push forward our ambitions.

The growth of Antifriction was boosted when it became part of leading Italian-based industrial distributers Gruppo Bianchi in 2011.

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