Those who lament the passing of manufacturing industry in Bradford should take a look at the Borg Warner turbocharger plant on the Euroway estate.

They would be cheered by the story of this precision engineering operation that has grown and prospered over the past 30 years and remains a world class centre of excellence.

The new Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Howard Middleton, was impressed when he was shown round the plant by its justly proud senior management team.

And so was I.

The Bradford operation, which employs around 420 people, remains not only a significant employer locally, but is at the cutting edge of making products which are helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by making engines more efficient.

It is part of the turbo and emissions systems division of the £5bn US-based Borg Warner corporation which employs 18,000 people in 17 countries.

In Bradford, the company develops and manufactures a range of products and components for the automotive industry.

The Bradford operation began in 1978 as part of the Schwitzer Company and then employed around 30 people. Schwitzer was recognised with three Queen’s Awards business “oscars”.

Schwitzer was bought by Borg Warner in 1999 which has invested in the production of turbo chargers for commercial diesel engines in Bradford.

Over the past three years or so the company has recruited a new senior management team led by general manager Giles Richell.

They have instigated an extensive review and overhaul of the factory’s production processes to increase efficiency and meet growing demand for its products.

This has enabled it to remain a key part of Borg Warner operations and to remain, by today’s standards, a major manufacturing employer.

Bradford-made turbochargers are fitted in the engines of some household-name vehicles, including Renault, Volvo and Mercedes-Daimler trucks. They also go into the engines of farm tractors, power boats, generators and heavy equipment such as mechanical diggers.

As the world becomes more environmentally aware, Borg Warner Bradford is in the right place at the right time.

Turbochargers are a component that make engines more efficient, reduce fuel consumption and lower exhaust emissions. In fact, they divert some of the exhaust emissions into powering the engine.

With ever-tougher green regulation, the need to save energy and fuel (as well as the soaring cost of filling a tank) and the drive to cut Co2 emissions to save the planet they are much in demand. As a result, Borg Warner has recently invested around £6m in Bradford.

A further investment of at least £10m is planned in the next three years on state-of-the-art equipment and the skills of the Bradford engineers, including apprentices.

This will not mean many new jobs as the factory’s improved efficiency means higher demand can be met with the same workforce, but it does underline the group’s faith in the local operation.

Output is set to rise from around 500,000 turbochargers a year to 750,000 over the next five years.

The company’s continued success is also benefiting other local firms, with some of the castings used by Borg Warner being produced in Pudsey and Cleckheaton.

About 70 per cent of the Bradford products are exported across Europe, including Russia, with around 25 per cent selling in the United States. The rapidly emerging markets of India and China also offer scope for increased sales.

The Bradford plant is on target for sales of around £83m this year. Its processes have been accredited with the ISO 1400 standard which reflects the quality of its operation and products.

Mr Richell said that, in addition to ensuring its technical facilities were top notch and products high quality, Borg Warner Bradford retained its competitiveness by working in partnership with suppliers and customers.

Training is also high on the agenda. The company achieved the Investors in People accreditation in 2005. It remains committed to recruiting and training apprentices to ensure a future supply of precision engineers.

Part of the improvement of its production lines is the result of developing teamworking and also consulting with shop-floor workers and taking on board their suggestions.

The Bradford site itself has also benefited from a £300,000 make-over. Investment in new machinery includes £80,000 on a machine that uses robotics. Around £1.6m will be spent on new tackle in the coming year.

Mr Richell said: “The Bradford plant is a very successful operation with a highly skilled and motivated workforce. The investment here will further strengthen our ability to meet rising demand for our products as manufacturers strive to produce greener engines.”

“This plant has a record of success over the past 30 years and we are working hard to ensure that we will continue to succeed in future.”