For over 40 years, As a Tier 1 automotive supplier, Unipres (UK) plays a critical role within both the UK and global manufacturing landscape. Operating at the forefront of metal pressing and component manufacturing, the company works closely with OEMs to deliver high-quality, precision-engineered solutions that underpin vehicle production programmes.
With a strong heritage in the automotive sector and deep roots in the North East, Unipres (UK) continues to evolve, strengthening its capabilities, driving operational excellence, and exploring new opportunities for growth and diversification.
NEAA speaks with Gary Gilby, General Manager – Commercial & Purchasing at Unipres Europe, about navigating industry change, future-proofing operations, and the company’s ongoing commitment to the region and sector it has helped shape.
Unipres (UK) has built a strong reputation within the automotive sector. How would you describe your core capabilities today, and what differentiates your offer in a competitive market?
At our core, Unipres is a global precision metal forming and assembly business. Across our operations in the UK and France, we specialise in producing complex, safety-critical body structures and for some of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.
What differentiates us is the combination of engineering expertise, advanced automation and manufacturing scale. We don’t simply produce components; we help customers develop robust manufacturing solutions that deliver quality, cost competitiveness and supply chain security.
We also have the advantage of combining local responsiveness with the strength of a global organisation. Customers can access world-class manufacturing capability while working with teams that understand the specific needs of the European market.
What key investments – whether in technology, facilities or people – have been critical in strengthening your capability and future readiness?
We’ve continued to invest heavily in automation, digital manufacturing technologies and process improvement to ensure we remain competitive in a rapidly changing industry.
However, our biggest investment has been in people. Through the Unipres Training Academy, we’re developing the next generation of engineers, leaders and manufacturing specialists. Technology delivers value only when you have skilled people who know how
to maximise its potential.
Our approach is: invest in world-class equipment, invest in world-class people and continuously improve both.
As OEM demand fluctuates and production volumes shift, how is Unipres (UK) positioning itself to support output while maintaining operational excellence?
The automotive industry has become significantly more volatile over recent years. We have responded by building greater flexibility into our operations.
Advanced automation, lean manufacturing principles and a highly skilled workforce allow us to react quickly to changing customer demand while maintaining the quality and delivery performance our customers expect.
Our focus is always on being a dependable partner. Whether volumes increase, decrease or shift between vehicle programmes, customers need confidence that we can respond efficiently and consistently.
How important is collaboration with customers and supply chain partners in ensuring you can respond flexibly to changing volume requirements?
It’s absolutely critical. The strongest customer relationships are built on transparency and trust. The earlier we’re involved in discussions around future programmes, capacity planning or engineering changes, the more value we can add.
The same applies to our supply chain partners. Strong collaboration enables us to manage risk, improve competitiveness and ensure continuity of supply.
In today’s environment, success isn’t achieved by individual companies working in isolation. It’s achieved through strong partnerships across the entire value chain.
