Welcome

We are starting a new, monthly feature in our e-Newsletter called ‘A day in the life.’ This is because we want to give you a platform to highlight the challenges you face every day, the diversity of skills you employ to perform your role successfully and the range of different roles that modern manufacturing requires. This month, we have asked Jimmy Finn, production director at Bott in Bude, to share with us what an average day at work is like for him. Bott is a manufacturer of workplace equipment and in-vehicle storage systems.

Over the past five years, the South West MAS has worked with hundreds of production managers like Jimmy to help them explore the opportunities that exist to operate more effectively, eliminate unnecessary waste and strengthen their core offering. Throughout this time, we have observed how tricky it can be for some managers, amidst the many conflicting and time-consuming pressures, to assess the big picture. Like the old adage says, it is easy to ‘not see the writing on the wall until your back is to it.’

Many of you will know firsthand what it is like to be at the centre of the action; juggling phone calls from senior management, keeping an eye on quality control, managing the shop floor and responding to increased sales demands. And that’s just the first hour of the day!

A production manager often acts as the hub through which all demands and enquiries are channelled and as a result, plays a key role in the day-to-day running and overall success of a business.

We are passionate about supporting first line managers in the South West’s manufacturing operations and for this reason, have launched the Operational Leadership Programme to nurture leadership skills. If you want to sign up to the next programme, it is beginning in early September in Bristol and there are spaces available. (To find out more or book your place on the course, email info@swmas.co.uk)

We hope you find the insight into Jimmy’s daily working life interesting and we look forward to providing further snapshots over the coming months. If you are interested in taking part, then do get in touch.

Arthur Richardson

Director

South West MAS

In this month’s E-newsletter we include an opinion piece from Susan Cook on the threat to UK manufacturing from abroad. Do you agree with her? Does the loss of trade to China mean the end of British Manufacturing? Please email your thoughts to info@swmas.co.uk The best email will be awarded a copy of John Bicheno's book ‘The Lean Toolbox' and included in next month’s E-newsletter.

Case Study

VT Communications makes savings of £105k with South West MAS

Based in Tewkesbury, VT Communications designs, builds and operates transmission and communications infrastructure for global military and civilian customers, including the UK MoD.

In April 2006, the management team at the company asked the South West MAS to help them identify and free up manufacturing space with a view to increasing production capacity. Using lean manufacturing tools and techniques to look at material movement, workplace organisation and process efficiency, the South West MAS has helped VT Communications save more than £105,000.

David Whitehead, operations manager, comments: “From the onset, the South West MAS specialists had a confidence and enthusiasm that encouraged the team to think outside the box. As a result of the project, we have improved communications between teams, saved a significant amount of time, energy and money and increased the available and usable space by 39 per cent. We now have a workplace to be proud of and one which is considerably more flexible in its utilisation. As a result, we are working much more efficiently.”

If your business is engaged in supplying aerospace or defence markets and would like to experience similar savings and efficiencies as VT Communications, then the South West MAS can help you take the first steps towards sustainable improvements. Its team of experienced manufacturing specialists have been delivering similar projects across the South West for the last five years.

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

News

Enhancements to funding and support for aerospace and defence suppliers in the South West

If you are a supplier to aerospace or defence markets and are based in the South West, you may be eligible to free diagnostics and additional funding to help improve your business performance.

You may have heard about the exciting changes being made to supply chains and already be engaged in the SC21 (Supply Chains for the 21st Century) activities launched towards the end of 2006. If not, we would recommend that you find out how to get involved by visiting www.sbac.co.uk

The South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has received additional funding from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and is now working in partnership with WEAF to help regional aerospace and defence suppliers to improve their performance and relationships throughout the supply chain, two of the key pillars under SC21.

Even if you are not involved in SC21, you could still qualify for a free business performance diagnostic and funding to implement business improvements.

Building on more than five year’s hands-on experience of working with the region’s manufacturers, the South West MAS and WEAF are well positioned to help you bring about change for good throughout your supply chain. This might be achieved through implementing a project to remove waste and increase efficiency or by providing you with access to local events, networks and seminars where you can interact with others in your industry.

To find out more about how to get assistance in developing your company or supply chain, to discover how to qualify for SME subsidies or to arrange a free visit to your site, please email us at info@swmas.co.uk

A day in the life of Jimmy Finn, the production director at Bott

Jimmy Finn is production director at Bott, a manufacturer of workplace equipment and in-vehicle storage systems. Based in Bude, the business has 300 employees working across the UK.

“I arrive at my office shortly before 8am and start checking my emails, actioning, delegating (and deleting) as necessary. The post (and a cup of tea) arrives and I move on to assessing the progress of the current week’s workload and future workload as suggested by the Material Requirements Planning (MRP).

“At around 8.30am, I take my first walk through the factory floor and engage in conversations with employees of all levels, discussing personal and business issues. I really enjoy this part of my job as it enables me to get a feel for the attitudes and morale of the staff and also allows the staff to approach me in a less formal way than coming to my office.

“At this point, I usually visit the logistics department to discuss the supply of manufactured product to the picking face and ensure that everything is on track. If there are any issues or delays, I hope to be able to intervene to prevent hold-ups with distribution.

“Each morning, I then meet the operations director to discuss potential issues and projects and we update each other on any recent events.”

To read this story in full click here

If you would like to be featured in the new ‘Day in the Life’ column, please contact the South West MAS on info@swmas.co.uk

Chinese in my inbox

Susan Cook is the sales director for CE Manufacturing, a business that specialises in bespoke tooling and fabrication. Exclusively for the e-Newsletter she reflects on how UK manufacturing can respond to the onslaught it faces from overseas.

“Good Morning, my name is Mr. Wong. I am pleased to know your esteemed company from the Internet. We are urgently seeking cooperation with you. We can supply ……high quality…..good prices ....for mutual benefit.”

This kind of unwelcome, unsolicited email from the ubiquitous, unknown Chinese company is all too common in my inbox. Unheard of three years ago when I took over as sales director, now I receive these emails almost daily. Polite, seductive, insistent and convincing. I delete them instantly, but niggling away is the thought Mr. Wong is out there, ferreting through internet directories, routinely targeting UK manufacturing companies.

At CE Manufacturing Ltd we supply tooling and subcontract fabrication to UK companies. In this context, the Chinese are our main competitors, not only as direct suppliers of our services, but more importantly as indirect suppliers to traditional UK companies who have succumbed to the seduction of low production prices and moved their entire production wholesale overseas.

The Chinese proposition is based on quality and price. The pictures on their emails are enticing. If I didn’t believe so passionately in the importance of UK manufacturing jobs to the long-term well being of the UK, I might be tempted and wonder if this earnest group of hardworking, faceless citizens could do something for our business too.

As sales director, it is my job to make our offering attractive and strategically viable. In the last 12 months, we have twice redefined our fabrication proposition. The first shift was to focus on prototyping and the second on bespoke ornamental ironwork (gates, railings, arbors etc). Whereas previous shifts of this kind might have been driven by customer feedback, these were driven almost entirely by a cold analysis of markets that might be immune from the irrepressible onslaught of the Chinese proposition.

To read this story in full click here
For more information about CE Manufacturing, visit www.cemanufacturing.co.uk

The South West MAS can assist manufacturers as they assess whether or not to go off shore with a decision support tool called ‘Off Shore? Be Sure!’ It provides practical and constructive guidance on the issues relating to globalisation. For more information, please contact South West MAS on 0845 608 3838 or info@swmas.co.uk

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent those of South West MAS. We would welcome your thoughts on this complex issue. Please respond to info@swmas.co.uk and the best replies will be included in next month’s e-Newsletter.

Bristol and Gloucestershire managers invited to hone their leadership skills

The Operational Leadership Programme, run by the South West MAS, is a new programme which has been especially designed with first line managers in mind. The action-based course, with measurable outcomes, culminates in the delivery of a work-based project and will help managers get more from their people and shop floor processes.

Run over approximately 12 weeks, participants will grow in their confidence and ability to lead people, while finding out how to put new process improvement techniques into action.

The programme starts on 4th September 2007 at Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel, just a few minutes from Junction 14 of the M5.

To find out more or book your place on the course, email info@swmas.co.uk

The South West MAS will run this course again in November for manufacturers based in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.

World Class Manufacturing training course in Japan

The EU-Japan Centre is currently inviting applications for the World Class Manufacturing November 2007 training course in Japan that is financed by the European Commission. It will take place from 11-16 November and the deadline for applications is 12 September. EU managers and executives are encouraged to apply for the intensive 6-day course on the improvement of productivity.

For more information click here

MAS National Newsletter

If you enjoy reading the South West MAS monthly newsletter, why not sign up to receive the national MAS newsletter on www.mas.dti.gov.uk

SWMAS is run in partnership with:

For general business advice contact your local Business Link 0845 600 9006

You have been sent this newsletter because you have shown an interest in the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service. If you do not wish to receive further copies please click HERE to unsubscribe.

For further information on any of the issues or items mentioned above, or on the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service in general, contact us on 0845 608 3838; email info@swmas.co.uk or visit http://www.swmas.co.uk

June 2007 Edition
Web: www.swmas.co.uk • Email: info@swmas.co.uk • Telephone: 0845 608 3838 • Case Studies
Contents	Arthur's thoughts Case Studies News Printer Friendly	Manufacturers vote with their feet The South West MAS is collecting your thoughts on a range of topics, including manufacturing contracts for London 2012, summer sales and recruitment. To cast your vote and contribute to the regional knowledge base on manufacturing, please visit www.swmas.co.uk. Once we have enough data, we will share the findings in the newsletter and with local media. Workshops TOMORROW Focus on Sales - How to improve your Profitability The demands placed on today's managers are ever increasing. Organised by South West MAS and Somerset and Dorset Manufacturing Network, this presentation will focus on increasing sales within your company through clear identification of a sales campaign, people and process. To reserve your place, email info@swmas.co.uk today or call 0845 6083838! 19th June 2007, 5.30-8.30pm, The Lanes, West Coker Improving Your Manufacturing Operation using 5S The South West MAS invites you to a series of free workshops in Gloucestershire to introduce you to the 5S method of workshop organisation - Sort, Set, Shine, Standardise and Stick. 5S is also a critical starting point for other improvement activities that all too often fail in an untidy or disorganised workplace. Advance booking is essential as places are limited. To find out more about dates and locations, please email info@swmas.co.uk or contact Jackie Howard on 0845 6083838. 21st August in Tewkesbury 22nd August in Cirencester 11th September in Stroud 12th September in Gloucester The ‘Year in Industry’ Semi-Final Manufacturing managers and leaders are invited to celebrate the achievements of six ‘Year in Industry’ students at the South West North Semi Final. The students have been selected to give a presentation about their personal contribution to the business they were placed in. The event will demonstrate the real benefits that ‘Year in Industry’ students can bring to a business and provide an excellent networking opportunity with senior managers from some of the South West's top companies. Register by fax on 01752 762108 FAO Charity Watkins or call 01752 762111. For more information, visit www.yini.org.uk 20th June 2007, 4.30- 7.30 pm, Delphi Diesel Systems Ltd, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire Procurement Opportunities for UK Industry This event is of interest to companies involved in civil engineering and specialist mechanical engineering who want to find out more about procurement opportunities that will be appearing over the next two years from The European Domestic Agency in Barcelona and also from the ITER Joint Work Site in Cadarache, France. Taking place on the same day is the annual Technology and Innovation Exhibition, with over 40 exhibitors. For more information, email janet.browning@ ukaea.org.uk 28th June 2007, 10am -7pm, Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3DB Digital Enterprise Technology International Conference The principal aim of Digital Enterprise Technology (DET) 2007 is to provide an international forum for the exchange of leading edge scientific knowledge and industrial experience regarding the development and integration of the various aspects of DET. For more information, visit www.det-conf.org.uk 19th - 21st September 2007, University of Bath For further details on these events and to book your place, click here
Welcome We are starting a new, monthly feature in our e-Newsletter called ‘A day in the life.’ This is because we want to give you a platform to highlight the challenges you face every day, the diversity of skills you employ to perform your role successfully and the range of different roles that modern manufacturing requires. This month, we have asked Jimmy Finn, production director at Bott in Bude, to share with us what an average day at work is like for him. Bott is a manufacturer of workplace equipment and in-vehicle storage systems. Over the past five years, the South West MAS has worked with hundreds of production managers like Jimmy to help them explore the opportunities that exist to operate more effectively, eliminate unnecessary waste and strengthen their core offering. Throughout this time, we have observed how tricky it can be for some managers, amidst the many conflicting and time-consuming pressures, to assess the big picture. Like the old adage says, it is easy to ‘not see the writing on the wall until your back is to it.’ Many of you will know firsthand what it is like to be at the centre of the action; juggling phone calls from senior management, keeping an eye on quality control, managing the shop floor and responding to increased sales demands. And that’s just the first hour of the day! A production manager often acts as the hub through which all demands and enquiries are channelled and as a result, plays a key role in the day-to-day running and overall success of a business. We are passionate about supporting first line managers in the South West’s manufacturing operations and for this reason, have launched the Operational Leadership Programme to nurture leadership skills. If you want to sign up to the next programme, it is beginning in early September in Bristol and there are spaces available. (To find out more or book your place on the course, email info@swmas.co.uk) We hope you find the insight into Jimmy’s daily working life interesting and we look forward to providing further snapshots over the coming months. If you are interested in taking part, then do get in touch. Arthur Richardson Director South West MAS In this month’s E-newsletter we include an opinion piece from Susan Cook on the threat to UK manufacturing from abroad. Do you agree with her? Does the loss of trade to China mean the end of British Manufacturing? Please email your thoughts to info@swmas.co.uk The best email will be awarded a copy of John Bicheno's book ‘The Lean Toolbox' and included in next month’s E-newsletter. Case Study VT Communications makes savings of £105k with South West MAS Based in Tewkesbury, VT Communications designs, builds and operates transmission and communications infrastructure for global military and civilian customers, including the UK MoD. In April 2006, the management team at the company asked the South West MAS to help them identify and free up manufacturing space with a view to increasing production capacity. Using lean manufacturing tools and techniques to look at material movement, workplace organisation and process efficiency, the South West MAS has helped VT Communications save more than £105,000. David Whitehead, operations manager, comments: “From the onset, the South West MAS specialists had a confidence and enthusiasm that encouraged the team to think outside the box. As a result of the project, we have improved communications between teams, saved a significant amount of time, energy and money and increased the available and usable space by 39 per cent. We now have a workplace to be proud of and one which is considerably more flexible in its utilisation. As a result, we are working much more efficiently.” If your business is engaged in supplying aerospace or defence markets and would like to experience similar savings and efficiencies as VT Communications, then the South West MAS can help you take the first steps towards sustainable improvements. Its team of experienced manufacturing specialists have been delivering similar projects across the South West for the last five years. For more information on support available from the South West MAS, call our helpdesk on 0845 608 3838 or email info@swmas.co.uk News Enhancements to funding and support for aerospace and defence suppliers in the South West If you are a supplier to aerospace or defence markets and are based in the South West, you may be eligible to free diagnostics and additional funding to help improve your business performance. You may have heard about the exciting changes being made to supply chains and already be engaged in the SC21 (Supply Chains for the 21st Century) activities launched towards the end of 2006. If not, we would recommend that you find out how to get involved by visiting www.sbac.co.uk The South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) has received additional funding from the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) and is now working in partnership with WEAF to help regional aerospace and defence suppliers to improve their performance and relationships throughout the supply chain, two of the key pillars under SC21. Even if you are not involved in SC21, you could still qualify for a free business performance diagnostic and funding to implement business improvements. Building on more than five year’s hands-on experience of working with the region’s manufacturers, the South West MAS and WEAF are well positioned to help you bring about change for good throughout your supply chain. This might be achieved through implementing a project to remove waste and increase efficiency or by providing you with access to local events, networks and seminars where you can interact with others in your industry. To find out more about how to get assistance in developing your company or supply chain, to discover how to qualify for SME subsidies or to arrange a free visit to your site, please email us at info@swmas.co.uk A day in the life of Jimmy Finn, the production director at Bott Jimmy Finn is production director at Bott, a manufacturer of workplace equipment and in-vehicle storage systems. Based in Bude, the business has 300 employees working across the UK. “I arrive at my office shortly before 8am and start checking my emails, actioning, delegating (and deleting) as necessary. The post (and a cup of tea) arrives and I move on to assessing the progress of the current week’s workload and future workload as suggested by the Material Requirements Planning (MRP). “At around 8.30am, I take my first walk through the factory floor and engage in conversations with employees of all levels, discussing personal and business issues. I really enjoy this part of my job as it enables me to get a feel for the attitudes and morale of the staff and also allows the staff to approach me in a less formal way than coming to my office. “At this point, I usually visit the logistics department to discuss the supply of manufactured product to the picking face and ensure that everything is on track. If there are any issues or delays, I hope to be able to intervene to prevent hold-ups with distribution. “Each morning, I then meet the operations director to discuss potential issues and projects and we update each other on any recent events.” To read this story in full click here If you would like to be featured in the new ‘Day in the Life’ column, please contact the South West MAS on info@swmas.co.uk Chinese in my inbox Susan Cook is the sales director for CE Manufacturing, a business that specialises in bespoke tooling and fabrication. Exclusively for the e-Newsletter she reflects on how UK manufacturing can respond to the onslaught it faces from overseas. “Good Morning, my name is Mr. Wong. I am pleased to know your esteemed company from the Internet. We are urgently seeking cooperation with you. We can supply ……high quality…..good prices ....for mutual benefit.” This kind of unwelcome, unsolicited email from the ubiquitous, unknown Chinese company is all too common in my inbox. Unheard of three years ago when I took over as sales director, now I receive these emails almost daily. Polite, seductive, insistent and convincing. I delete them instantly, but niggling away is the thought Mr. Wong is out there, ferreting through internet directories, routinely targeting UK manufacturing companies. At CE Manufacturing Ltd we supply tooling and subcontract fabrication to UK companies. In this context, the Chinese are our main competitors, not only as direct suppliers of our services, but more importantly as indirect suppliers to traditional UK companies who have succumbed to the seduction of low production prices and moved their entire production wholesale overseas. The Chinese proposition is based on quality and price. The pictures on their emails are enticing. If I didn’t believe so passionately in the importance of UK manufacturing jobs to the long-term well being of the UK, I might be tempted and wonder if this earnest group of hardworking, faceless citizens could do something for our business too. As sales director, it is my job to make our offering attractive and strategically viable. In the last 12 months, we have twice redefined our fabrication proposition. The first shift was to focus on prototyping and the second on bespoke ornamental ironwork (gates, railings, arbors etc). Whereas previous shifts of this kind might have been driven by customer feedback, these were driven almost entirely by a cold analysis of markets that might be immune from the irrepressible onslaught of the Chinese proposition. To read this story in full click here For more information about CE Manufacturing, visit www.cemanufacturing.co.uk The South West MAS can assist manufacturers as they assess whether or not to go off shore with a decision support tool called ‘Off Shore? Be Sure!’ It provides practical and constructive guidance on the issues relating to globalisation. For more information, please contact South West MAS on 0845 608 3838 or info@swmas.co.uk The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily represent those of South West MAS. We would welcome your thoughts on this complex issue. Please respond to info@swmas.co.uk and the best replies will be included in next month’s e-Newsletter. Bristol and Gloucestershire managers invited to hone their leadership skills The Operational Leadership Programme, run by the South West MAS, is a new programme which has been especially designed with first line managers in mind. The action-based course, with measurable outcomes, culminates in the delivery of a work-based project and will help managers get more from their people and shop floor processes. Run over approximately 12 weeks, participants will grow in their confidence and ability to lead people, while finding out how to put new process improvement techniques into action. The programme starts on 4th September 2007 at Tortworth Court Four Pillars Hotel, just a few minutes from Junction 14 of the M5. To find out more or book your place on the course, email info@swmas.co.uk The South West MAS will run this course again in November for manufacturers based in Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. World Class Manufacturing training course in Japan The EU-Japan Centre is currently inviting applications for the World Class Manufacturing November 2007 training course in Japan that is financed by the European Commission. It will take place from 11-16 November and the deadline for applications is 12 September. EU managers and executives are encouraged to apply for the intensive 6-day course on the improvement of productivity. For more information click here MAS National Newsletter If you enjoy reading the South West MAS monthly newsletter, why not sign up to receive the national MAS newsletter on www.mas.dti.gov.uk SWMAS is run in partnership with: For general business advice contact your local Business Link 0845 600 9006 You have been sent this newsletter because you have shown an interest in the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service. If you do not wish to receive further copies please click HERE to unsubscribe. For further information on any of the issues or items mentioned above, or on the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service in general, contact us on 0845 608 3838; email info@swmas.co.uk or visit http://www.swmas.co.uk

June 2007 Edition

Contents

Manufacturers vote with their feet

Workshops

TOMORROW Focus on Sales - How to improve your Profitability

Improving Your Manufacturing Operation using 5S

The ‘Year in Industry’ Semi-Final

Procurement Opportunities for UK Industry

Digital Enterprise Technology International Conference

For further details on these events and to book your place, click here