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Acal: Moving up the value chain

SITE VISIT: Acal boss Nick Jefferies explains the source of the electronic component group's recent success, together with the challenges presented by sluggish global economic growth and his plans going forward
January 5, 2016

If you ever wondered who makes the cabling looms in Stannah stairlifts, the temperature sensors in Nespresso coffee machines or the controllers for Saab’s unmanned aircraft, then Acal (ACL) is the answer.

278p

True, it’s not a household name. But a strategy aimed at transforming the group from a run-of-the-mill distributor of electronic bits and pieces into a designer, manufacturer and supplier of customer-specific components has helped to double operating margins over the past five years and earn a growing fanbase among city analysts.

We caught up with Nick Jefferies, the man credited for this turnaround, at Acal’s global headquarters in the suburbs of Guildford to get the lowdown on his strategy, challenges and plans going forward.

For our latest tip update on Acal, click here.