The Airfix company has been through testing trading conditions however its most recent move to team up with Hornby may well be its salvation. The products are world-wide acclaimed and as a brand they have little to prove and Airfix models are still in good demand. Hornby set a mission some 10 years ago to become the world's biggest hobby company and they have now reached their objective with some very interesting and challenging takeovers including continental takeovers of Joueffe, Ravarossi and Efficiente. They also own the booming Scalextric brand.

Airfix/Humbrol went into receivership in Sept 2006 after a significant period of decline in sales and cash flow pressures. Now under the new ownership of Hornby who have undergone a huge turnaround of their mainstream product sales, we are delighted to announce that Hornby Airfix have chosen HBC under contract to help them manufacture The model Spitfire Fighter, The Lancaster Bomber, The Bismark, The Sunderland, The Challenger Tank and the new Royal Navy Lifeboat which is their most sort after model as well as The Stealth Bomber.

Nick Cole, Operations Director at Hornby has made many warm comments about how HBC caught his eye and the efficiency of the relationship.
He told us that he places significant amounts of plastic injection moulding projects around the globe including into India and China where they have an office in Hong Kong . Nick was not impressed with his UK moulders as communication channels were poor. The switch of 30 tools to HBC has run like clockwork, the process is managed efficiently by NBI at HBC and also the quality of supply is excellent. Nick went on to say that ' HBC are a very competent and valued new supplier who we see as a long term partner.

To add to this Airfix in conjunction with the BBC want to film the turnaround of their company on the money programme and as part of this will film the manufacturing operations at HBC's plant and the moulding function. The Engel Victory 220 tonne press will be featured with a 400 tonne tool as Tiebarless technology allow for a larger tool to be fitted on the platen.

HBC are delighted to secure such a prestigious customer as a long term partner. 'There is so much scope and we are local to them and our operation suits their requirements perfectly as Airfix needed a large capability contract manufacturer who are flexible enough to cater for movements in order volumes and to manage and maintain a very large tooling portfolio' comments Paul Blackmore, Director of HBC Engineering Solutions Ltd.

After all we wouldn't want any fanatical model maker resorting to heavy use of the glue if the pips don't meet!