A lot has changed since then; Unipart is now a highly diversified company bringing a wide range of benefits to clients in the rail, technology, retail, automotive, financial and public sectors.
Each of our client relationships is unique, but what is common to most is how Unipart enables significant cost reductions, improvements in capacity and customer service, and a level of engagement with employees that delivers real commercial benefits.
Our operations today span three major areas: logistics, manufacturing and consultancy. But across all three, there is a single approach that enables us to deliver more than our clients expect. We call that The Unipart Way.
To understand some of the major events that have helped to shape our Group, please click on the relevant tab below. For more details on many of the events, please click here.
To download our corporate brochure click here.
Join the Unipart way
21/01/1987
1987 – Private company
Unipart becomes a private company through management buyout with half the company owned by employees and managers
19/12/1988
1988 – Mark in Action
Launch of Mark in Action programme recognising outstanding personal customer service by employees
20/01/1989
1989 – Ten(d) to Zero programme
Launch of the Ten(d) to Zero programme enabling Unipart and its suppliers to work in partnership to eliminate waste from the supply chain
20/02/1989
1989 – Best Factories Award
Unipart Industries site in Oxford wins Best Factories Award from Management Today
21/01/1990
1990 – Launch of Our Contribution Counts Circles
Launch of Our Contribution Counts Circles, which enables all employees to solve problems at their own level
20/01/1992
1992 – The Lean Machine opens
Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon. John Patten MP, opens Unipart employee health and fitness centre, The Lean Machine
21/01/1993
1993 – Unipart U
Unipart is first company to set up its own corporate university, the Unipart U.
20/03/1993
1993 – Best Factory in Britain award
Unipart’s Coventry manufacturing site wins Best Factory in Britain award by Management Today/Cranfield University.
20/01/1994
1994 – Unipart’s silver jubilee
Unipart celebrates the silver jubilee of the Unipart Brand
20/01/1994
1994 – John M Neill made Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Group Chief Executive John M Neill made Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his 20 years of outstanding service to and leadership in the automotive industry.
20/01/1995
1995 – Duke of Edinburgh visits Unipart House
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visits Unipart House to see how the recommendations of the Tomorrow’s Company report are being brought to life
20/01/1996
1996 – New Chairman of Unipart Group
Lord Sheppard of Didgemere named as Chairman of Unipart Group
20/01/1997
1997 – Faculty on the Floor launch
The first ‘Faculty on the Floor’ learning centre is launched at Unipart’s site in Kent
20/02/1997
1997 – Unipart opens four new joint venture
Unipart opens four new joint venture factories including Kautex Unipart Ltd and Unipart Eberspacher Exhaust Systems
20/03/1997
1997 – 49% share in National Railway Supplies
Unipart acquires Railpart and a 49% share in National Railway Supplies
21/03/1997
1997 – The Unipart Way
The Unipart Way is launched
20/01/1998
1998 – Unipart supports the Government’s New Deal
Unipart is among the first businesses to support the Government’s New Deal initiative
20/01/1999
1999 – Unipart acquires Partco Group
Unipart acquires Partco Group making it the largest supplier of aftermarket parts in Britain
20/02/1999
1999 – Vodafone
Unipart wins Vodafone as a new customer.
20/01/2004
2004 – Unipart new clients
Unipart new clients include BskyB, Homebase and Jessops