GLOBAL sourcing specialist Maxim Industries has set itself the challenge of making world procurement as risk-free as buying a tin of beans from a local corner shop.

From its offices and warehouse facility at Lodgebank Trading Estate, in Crown Lane, Horwich, the firm helps manufacturers in the UK, Europe and North America remain competitive in an “increasingly globalised world”.

Chief executive Paul Dupre-Smith, who has been with the firm for three years, said: “Our objective is to enable companies to exploit international efficiencies to secure goods of equal quality at lower prices.

“It’s very difficult for people to pigeon hole us. In essence, we are a company that mitigates the risks of dealing with low-cost countries from a financial perspective to ensure quality and continuity.”

Traditionally, the key market sectors in which Maxim operate are industrial batteries, electrical switch-gear and healthcare, supplying quality machined components, die castings, forgings and moldings to companies across the globe. This includes various components for locks and doors, industrial batteries and hospital furniture.

In 2010, Maxim opened its first overseas office in Ningbo, eastern China, where a team of Maxim-employed engineers help the firm maintain quality standards.

Recent new markets include bespoke industrial castors used by major manufacturers and the European waste management industry.

Mr Dupre-Smith is targeting growth in the North West as part of its expansion strategy.

The firm houses stock in a 17,500 sq ft warehouse in Horwich, from which is supplies customers across the UK and Europe.

Mr Dupre-Smith said: “Our strengths lie in our well-established global supply structure, which delivers strategic cost savings to clients while maintaining product quality and integrity.

“We have proven success in helping manufacturers drive down costs as they look to remain competitive.

“Our business mode means they only pay for the goods when they receive them, as we are the stockholders, which helps them improve their cash flow and reduce their inventory.”

He added: “We’ve got critical mass. When we deal in India or China we can leverage the pricing because we have our own guys in the business to ensure compliance to our ethical policy and we can also educate them. We are an end-to-end supply chain.”

Mr Dupre-Smith said: “Maxim’s business objective is to grow the business organically, doubling the size of our business.”

Maxim is sponsoring the Business Person of the Year Award at this year's Bolton and Bury Business Awards in September.