THE chief of a car parts factory which went from struggling loss-maker to a "world beater" in just 18 months has credited the workforce with its transformation.

Klarius bosses made around 30 redundancies as they looked to secure the future of the Manitube exhaust manufacturing plant, in Brookhouses, Cheadle, in November 2008.

But the firm has rallied from a "tough time" which culminated in a four-day working week.

Last year it took on 100 extra staff as production and delivery operations both expanded rapidly.

Now the firm has opened a new 40,000 sq ft warehouse ready to cater for an expected increase its global market share, meaning more positions could be in the pipeline.

In an interview with the Post & Times this week, Klarius chairman Tony Wilson claimed there had been no time to hesitate over difficult decisions.

He said: "When we came (in August 2007) the business was haemorrhaging money and losing market share.

"It looked bleak and we had to make very tough calls.

"If you want to build a company you have to build on solid foundations. We had to come back to basics.

"Redundancies are the hardest thing any director will ever have to consider. But only by laying off staff and making sure we ran a smart operation were we able to grow." This month Klarius completed the acquisition of rival car parts firm Quinton Hazell – a deal Mr Wilson believes is good news for his 350-strong Cheadle workforce.

The Cheshire-based businessman insists Manitube – the firm's biggest plant in Europe – will remain integral to exhaust and catalytic converter development.

He said: "It is the people in Cheadle have made this company into a world beater and number one in the UK by a country mile.

"We will continue to grow. The new warehouse is specifically designed for the export market and we should expect to see more trade in the next six months.

"It is difficult to predict if and when any new jobs will be created but we will never grow out of this site. There is room for expansion. Cheadle will always be the centre for Klarius exhaust manufacturing."

The south-west corner of Brookhouse Industrial Estate has been home to car part manufacturing for around 40 years.

The business started off as an independent company before becoming part of the ArvinMeritor group and then being taken over by Klarius two and half years ago.

Bosses have since made a multi-million pound investment in research and development and distribution facilities to ensure Cheadle is at the hub of its worldwide operation.

Mr Wilson said: "We are not just a dirty metal beating firm, we have got skilled people working in engineering, computers, financial markets, production and logistics.

"By growing, we are opening the door for our employees to move through the levels.

"We are still actively looking to expand. Why would anyone want to stop a success story?"