Welcome

This month has seen the Labour leadership contest take centre stage both in political and public debate. Newspapers, television and radio stations have been brimming with commentary, speculation and evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of our current prime minister and potential successors.

Following the announcement that chancellor Gordon Brown will succeed Tony Blair as Labour leader and prime minister next month, we are likely to see more news as he takes stock and reviews the party and government's strategy with a fresh eye. We may also see Mr Brown take the opportunity to purge old ideas or policies that are no longer effective.

Already in the pipeline is the simplification of the business support that is available to small and medium-sized companies. In looking to the manufacturing sector, the South West MAS has been and will continue, in conjunction with Business Link, to provide relevant and practical support for manufacturers in the region.

So, in light of this available support, the political shake-up and evaluations it might also be timely for manufacturers to follow suit and re-examine their own direction.

This is captured by the first lean principle in John Bicheno's 'The Lean Toolbox'. Companies are encouraged to identify what their customers really value and to consequently shape their business around this. This might involve shelving products, brands or marketing that have been a success in the past but are no longer relevant or attuned to your market. It may also mean bringing old partnerships to an end and building new teams which will ensure you maximise on existing and new opportunities for growth.

Our newsletter case study on Naim Audio highlights the success that can come from investing time in re-evaluating customers' unique requirements and flexibly developing product portfolios and services which meet these needs.

We are here to help you with this journey of self-examination, so don't hesitate to contact us at info@swmas.co.uk if you would like to talk to one of the team.

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

Naim Audio makes noise to become lean

Salisbury-based Naim Audio designs and manufactures world-class precision audio equipment. Employing 120 staff, the company caters globally for people who really appreciate music and who demand the very best in audio and AV equipment.

As its customers’ needs and requirements are always changing and the products are extremely high-end, Naim was determined to improve internal quality costs and become more efficient, and therefore approached the South West MAS for help to reduce the pressure on the business.

South West MAS specialist, Chris Eldridge, explains: “For a company like Naim, competitive advantage comes from outstanding quality, but also the ability to reduce stock and work in progress levels to a minimum. Lean manufacturing aims to maximise value and reduce waste throughout the product and production process, by means of a series of reviews, training and implementation of best practice.

"We introduced the company to a lean implementation programme, training staff in techniques which visually map a customer's journey through production. This enabled Naim to strengthen the good rapport it had with customers and focus on communicating better between departments, from the initial order through to the dispatching of the finished product."

Neil Carden, manufacturing director at Naim, says: "The support and advice that we have received from the South West MAS has been invaluable. As a result of implementing lean manufacturing techniques, we have been able to respond to a 30 per cent increase in sales over the last two years."

"In recent months we have been working towards the launch of a range of new products including an integrated amplifier, music servers and IP (Internet Protocol) enabled amplifiers. The lean techniques, introduced with the help of Chris Eldridge, will be applied to these products to help meet this years growth targets."

“Having learnt so much from the South West MAS since we first met, we continue to work closely with them taking advantage of courses such as the Operational Leadership Programme (OLP) which we believe will benefit our managers.”

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

Tewkesbury MP stops traffic with Gloucestershire manufacturers

Laurence Robertson, the Shadow Minister for Northern Ireland and MP for Tewkesbury, joined manufacturers from across Gloucestershire at a showcase to discover how one manufacturer in the county is keeping ahead of its competition.

Mr. Robertson, a former company director, factory owner and engineer, was shown around AGD Systems of Staverton, Cheltenham, a market leader in the design and manufacture of traffic and pedestrian detection products. With senior managers from 11 different manufacturing enterprises, he observed first-hand how the company has risen to the challenge of ever increasing competition through innovative, new product design and strong customer relationships.

The event was organised in conjunction with the South West MAS as part of its ongoing support for the 12,000 manufacturing businesses in the region.

Laurence Robertson, MP for Tewkesbury, adds: “Coming from the manufacturing sector myself, I am keen to encourage initiatives that nurture the growth of the sector. Manufacturing contributes significantly to the health of the British economy and the South West MAS has a strong track record of boosting the productivity of regional manufacturers. Events, such as the manufacturing showcase at AGD Systems, provide an excellent forum for industry leaders to come together and share ideas.”

To read this story in full click here.

TPM for a sustainable future

Linda Middleton-Jones of the South West MAS, recently completed a module on Sustainability in Business for her Masters Degree in Sustainability from Exeter University. As part of this, she wrote a report on Total Preventative Maintenance. Exclusively for South West MAS, she highlights her findings.

Over the last couple of months, I have become utterly convinced that the implementation of ‘Total Preventative Maintenance’ can have profound and significant results in the workplace. Not only can productivity be increased, thereby boosting bottom line profitability, but successful implementation can also bring environmental and sociological benefits.

TPM is an acknowledged tool within the Lean Toolbox and it sits comfortably with 5S, SMED and OEE. It can mean different things to different people – Total Productive Maintenance or Total Preventative Maintenance. The focus of my research, however, has been on Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) and how through the effective and sustained adoption of this tool, the life span of machines and equipment can be extended, output increased, costly downtimes avoided and running costs reduced.

TPM can be adapted by degrees to take into account differing production schedules, staff levels and planned maintenance so, even if diluted, the process is still an effective way of improving productivity levels.

Companies that have adopted TPM successfully indicate the particular effectiveness of preventative maintenance. One leading manufacturer in Plymouth identified a problem when a machine was recorded as using more oil than usual. The problem was visible and rectified within days avoiding costly down times and potential loss of productivity.

To read this story in full click here.

Good news as CIP continues under South West MAS

The South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) has announced that it will be providing funding for the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to deliver the Competitive Improvement Programme (CIP) to aerospace and defence companies in the region.

WEAF, who until recently managed the CIP activity, will be focusing on more strategic issues within the industry, including SC21.

Over the last five years, the South West MAS has been working with manufacturers across the region, helping them improve productivity and competitiveness. Throughout this time, it has worked in partnership with WEAF. The MAS team of specialists consists of individuals that have worked within manufacturing throughout their careers, offering years of experience in all sectors. To date, the South West MAS has visited more than 660 manufacturers, delivered 2,500 days of best practice modules and helped to make savings in the region of £30million across 300 businesses.

To read this story in full click here.

Fast paced programme to train manufacturing managers - spaces available!

The Operational Leadership Programme, which is run by the South West MAS, is an action-based course with measurable outcomes which culminates in the delivery of a work-based project. It is designed for managers who are eager to get more from their people and shop floor processes. Run over approximately 12 weeks, it helps first line managers improve management and manufacturing skills. Participants will grow in their confidence and ability to lead people, while finding out how to put new process improvement techniques into action.

The second programme starts on 7th June 2007 in Clyst St George, near Exeter. Spaces are still available for this programme, email info@swmas.co.uk for further details and to book your place.

Strategic Management Programme hits its target!

This month, the South West MAS’ Strategic Management Programme (SMP) reached its target of signing up 60 companies to the scheme. Aimed at strengthening the skills of a company’s management team and helping them devise realistic business development strategies, the programme is 50 per cent match funded by the Regional Development Agency. For more information about the SMP, contact info@swmas.co.uk.

Compete for DTI Research & Development funding

In the 2007 Budget, the chancellor announced that he would dedicate £100 million for UK business to research and develop new technologies, ranging from environmentally friendly low carbon projects to leading edge manufacturing. As a result, companies are now being invited to enter a competition to secure £40 million in funding which will be put aside for advanced manufacturing projects, including design engineering technology to boost competitiveness and sustainability in sectors such as aerospace, vehicles and energy.

For more information, please visit www.dti.co.uk.

STEP into a bright future this summer

Shell STEP is a UK-wide programme offering undergraduates project-based work within small and medium-sized businesses. The eight week placements inject businesses with undergraduate expertise, innovation and focused enthusiasm.

The cost to participating businesses equates closely to the minimum wage as there are no add-on costs such as employers’ national insurance. For further information contact Moira Hibbard on 0117 944 5330 or moirah@brave.org.uk, or visit www.step.org.uk.

Olympic Opportunities

Signs of London 2012 producing a lasting and discernable effect on the communities of the South West are already evident as the Weymouth and Portsmouth Marina is set to become one of the first venues ready for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games.

Whilst the development of the sailing academy continues, plans to construct a brand new marina, complete with bars, shops and even apartments is also getting under way. As the vision for the marina branches out into further areas of manufacturing with each stage of development, including the installation of wind turbines and woodchip powered boilers, businesses in the South West are encouraged to see the marina as a microcosm of what could be going on throughout the region as a whole.

To find out more about current tender opportunities click here.

Batteries Directive consultation underway

Do you use batteries or place them in products that you sell? If so, you need to be aware of the Batteries Directive that will come into force in 2008 and is currently being agreed by Defra through a consultation process.

The Directive seeks to improve the environmental performance of batteries, reduce the quantity of hazardous and non hazardous waste batteries going to landfill and increase the recovery of the materials they contain.

For more information on how the directive is progressing to law and its impact for manufacturers, visit www.defra.gov.uk.

Forty four days to go ...

There are 44 days to go until the smoking ban is introduced in full so it is key that all staff, premises and work vehicles are ready. From 1st of July 2007, employers, managers and those in charge of smoke free premises and vehicles will need to display 'no smoking' signs in smoke free premises and vehicles. They will also need to take reasonable steps to ensure that staff, customers, members and visitors are aware that premises and vehicles are smoke free, remove any existing indoor smoking rooms and ensure that no one smokes in premises or vehicles.

For further information about how the legislation will affect your business, download a guide from Business Link Devon & Cornwall.

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

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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