Web: www.swmas.co.uk  •  Email: info@swmas.co.uk  •  Telephone: 0845 608 3838  •  Case Studies

Contents

Welcome

Arthur Richardson

We all react differently to the knowledge that an outside consultant is coming into our place of work. For some, there is an element of suspicion or even fear. For others, there is anticipation and hope that a consultant will come up with a solution to a long-endured problem or challenge.

Our reluctance to invite an outsider into our businesses may also stem from an unwillingness to admit that we do not have the skills or experience to deal with a certain situation. However, we don’t hesitate when we need the specialist assistance outside of work such as a solicitor or accountant.

There may also be a feeling that the challenge you are facing is unique to your product, offering or workforce and, therefore, any external help will have no impact on the problem at hand. Whilst it is true that the region boasts a diverse and eclectic range of manufacturers, we often find that the overriding issues are generally the same – inefficiencies, rising costs, market changes, competition from overseas, lack of leadership vision or growth strategy.

We have been providing support to manufacturers in the South West for the past five years and are very aware of the factors which may cause them to hesitate in picking up the phone and asking us for help. We can categorically say, however, that once we have worked with a company these barriers fade away as the results of our support speak for themselves.

We are proud of our relationships with our clients. Time and again, we receive feedback from manufacturers in the South West that our specialists have become like additional members of the senior management team, and are becoming invaluable in supporting the company’s growth.

We want to bring about a change of spirit whereby asking for support from specialists is seen as a positive step forward in the life of a company, not something to be embarrassed about. After all, we would always go to a surgeon to receive a life-saving operation, so why not go to a manufacturing expert when a company needs help?

For examples of the work carried out by our specialists which has made a real difference to manufacturing operations across the region, click here.

Arthur Richardson
Director
South West MAS

The South West MAS would like to hear from you. If you have any comments, queries or manufacturing messages, write to us at info@swmas.co.uk. Each ‘Letter of the Month' will be awarded a copy of John Bicheno's book ‘The Lean Toolbox', so get in touch now!

Case Studies

Tetra Pak CPS Enters 2007 With A Bang

Tetra Pak

Following its takeover at the end of 2006 by Tetra Pak - a major food processing and packaging company - Dorset-based manufacturer Carlisle Process Systems (CPS) is storming through the first quarter of this year.

Through the introduction of new procedures in the past two years, the company has made savings of more than £90,000 and reduced waste by 40 per cent. These results are thanks to two lean manufacturing projects facilitated by the South West MAS.

The timing of these lean programmes has been crucial to the business in the run up to its acquisition, and in the early months under new ownership.

Carlisle Process Systems Ltd, now re-named Tetra Pak Cheese and Powder Systems Ltd (Tetra Pak CPS for short), specialises in the provision of process equipment for the cheese, dairy, food and beverage sectors.

After 80 years of manufacturing in Dorset, Tetra Pak CPS first turned to the South West MAS in 2004 to learn more about the principles of lean manufacturing, and how they could offer a more tailored and flexible service in the face of competition from the UK and abroad.

To read this story in full click here.

For more information on support available from the South West MAS, call our helpdesk on 0845 608 3838 or email enquiries@swmas.co.uk

Manufacturing Trailblazers

Emma Macdonald

Manufacturing is often considered a male-dominated industry. Of the three and half million people in the UK who work in the manufacturing industry, less than one million of these are women. And the majority of these are occupied in the more low-end, routine jobs rather than senior management or leadership posts.

Arthur Richardson, director of the South West MAS, comments: “When girls are asked what kinds of job they would like to do, the classic female stereotypes of careers still prevail. They often reject the options of manufacturing or engineering because they are not aware of the new roles and exciting opportunities that have been created by the modern world of manufacturing.

“The good news, however, is that times are changing”, says Arthur. “Manufacturing is transforming from a traditional model of mass production based on labour, land and capital equipment to manufacturing based on knowledge, innovation, skills and technology. In short, manufacturing of the future will see ‘softer’ skills such as team building, coaching and mentoring, take equal importance if not greater priority over the ‘harder’ skills of the past.

“As a result, it is hoped that the industry will see an influx of women as the perception of manufacturing and careers within it become more desirable.”

Across the South West, a growing number of women are leading the way and taking up key roles in manufacturing companies or studying manufacturing at college or university.

To read real life examples of female manufacturing trailblazers including Emma Macdonald, founder of The Bay Tree Food Company; Denise Albury, operations manager at Gloweth; Demelza Udy, lean team coordinator at Fitzgerald Lighting and Sarah Sleeman, production controller at Fitzgerald Lighting click here.

News

Strong Start To The Year For Manufacturers

The manufacturing sector is showing signs of continuing prosperity, according to the latest poll from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing Supply (CIPS), with the main index of manufacturing activity (purchasing manager’s index, PMI) up to 52.8 from 52 in December. Any number over 50 indicates expansion rather than contraction.

This has been the first improvement in four months, despite analysts predicting a fall early in 2007, and experts predicted the overall economy had had a robust start to the year. Production growth has been recognised across most sectors, and output has been boosted by improved plant efficiency and higher worker productivity, according to CIPS’ report.

Job losses remain a sensitive issue within the sector. The British Chamber of Commerce criticised interest rates earlier this month, saying they contributed to the 8,000 jobs lost in manufacturing last month. However, CIPS said employment in manufacturing rose slightly during January, as more staff were required to tackle an increase in orders.

» Read more

Exports Reviving Factory Sector

Manufacturers in the West have seen a marked increase in business led by a sharp rise in export orders.

The CBI report, which looks back at the three months to January and forecasts trends over the next three months, shows firms in the West reported a 19 per cent increase in orders and a 36 per cent increase in output. The West outpaced almost all other UK regions.

» Read more

MX Awards

MX Awards 2007

South West manufacturers are being invited to enter the 2007 Manufacturing Excellence (MX) Awards to demonstrate their capabilities and see how they rate against the best in industry.

The deadline for entries is 2 March 2007, and the finalist for each of the 11 categories, covering areas such as product innovation, people effectiveness and sustainable manufacturing, will be invited to the awards ceremony on 13 June at the Marriot Hotel in London where the winners will be announced.

For further information on how to enter please visit www.mx2007.org.uk