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

Contents

Welcome

Arthur Richardson

For many in the business community, this time of year provides a great chance to catch your breath, reflect and plan. As I write, you are probably sitting at a desk that you cleared before the Christmas break and your phone might well be quieter than usual as your customers and suppliers take some time to swing back into action. So, seize the day and do some long-term planning before the year begins in earnest!

Put your thinking cap on and imagine yourself and your business in a year’s time. Where do you want to be and what would success look like?

Will you be looking to expand your workforce this year? How are you planning to reward and motivate your people? Are you giving them the freedom to develop?

By this time next year, do you want to have introduced new products? If yes, do you need to invest in further research and development or bring some new blood into the team to achieve this? It might, therefore, be timely to get your recruitment plans organised now and sit down with senior management to decide what sorts of skills and people you are looking for.

Do you need to invest in new equipment or re-organise your workspace or location? Is your working environment prohibiting or limiting the growth of your business?

Now is the time to begin putting in place the structures and initiatives that will enable you to reflect in 12 months' time on how 2007 was a great year, full of success and challenges conquered by an enthusiastic workforce.

So, let the planning begin and do not hesitate to contact the South West MAS if we can lend you a helping hand.

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 Study

Bridgwater Manufacturer Demonstrates Real Pedal Power

Bicycle Wheel

Thorn Cycles, a Bridgwater-based business with a global customer base, is preparing itself for a bumper year following strategic input from the South West MAS.

The growing desire across the world for specialised bikes, tandems, touring bikes and commuter bikes has seen Thorn Cycles grow from a small shop, supplying and maintaining cycles for the local cycling community, into a large business, catering for the discerning UK and increasingly global touring and tandem market.

As with many small businesses, however, the manufacturer’s processes and systems were not, until recently, ready for the demand created by the Internet and the company’s growing reputation in the market.

The founder and managing director, Robin Thorn, contacted the South West MAS with concerns about bottlenecks within the business and how to get the best out of his team of 30 employees. South West MAS specialist, Charles Hill, recommended a multi-faceted approach whereby employees would be introduced to lean manufacturing techniques and a culture of continuous improvement.

» Read more

Dezac Meets Seasonal Demands

Dezac Warehouse

This January, Gloucestershire manufacturer The Dezac Group is relaxing following a successful Christmas season thanks in part to changes brought in by the South West MAS.

The Dezac Group was established in 1989 to provide cleaner air in the home with its range of ionisers. Since then, its product range has grown and now includes body toners, beauty products for the nails, airbrush tanning, tattoos, skin camouflage creams, Pilates fitness equipment; and personal health products for migraines, cold sores, back pain and head lice.

Products are manufactured under the Rio brand and distributed throughout Europe as well as in Japan, America, Australia and South Africa. Key customers include major retailers such as Argos and various shopping channels.

The run up to Christmas is one of the company’s busiest trading periods with the production facility in Cinderford, Forest of Dean, taking on seasonal staff to fulfil orders.

Steve Wellon, operations manager of The Dezac Group, contacted the South West MAS as he was concerned that with the launch of a new fashion and beauty product, the Laser Hair Remover, the company would not be able to meet the projected demands for the winter season.

» Read more

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

News

Enter the MX Awards!

MX 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

Manufacturers to Recycle Appliances

DTI Logo

Anyone who manufactures, brands, imports, sells, stores, treats or dismantles electrical or electronic products within the European Union (EU) will be affected by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive which came into force on 1 January 2007.

The WEEE Directive requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the 'end of life' of the computer and electronics equipment they have sold to consumers.

Manufacturers and importers will also have to sign up by March to ‘producer compliance schemes’ that will collect old appliances from collection points – run by local authorities – and take them for recycling.

To find out more about how the WEEE Directive will affect you, go to www.netregs.gov.uk

Manufacturing Bosses Put Identifying New Markets First for 2007

An annual survey of the New Year’s resolutions of business owners and managers in the manufacturing sector has revealed that nearly seven out of 10 (68 per cent) would like to devote more time to identifying new markets for their products and services in the next 12 months, according to Bibby Financial Services.

The survey also revealed that spending time with the family is still an important factor for manufacturing bosses, with 56 per cent vowing not to neglect their loved ones. This focus on personal life is underlined with nearly a third (30 per cent) of owners and managers pledging to work shorter hours next year.

Commenting on the findings from Bibby’s survey, South West MAS director Arthur Richardson said: “It is good to see that manufacturers are looking to diversify into new markets in 2007, and this can only be good for the sector as a whole. And with 41 per cent planning to develop the skills of their workforce, it is encouraging to see the ‘skills gap’ being addressed. This has historically been a major issue for the sector."