|
|
 |
Your company
may not be an Apple, Google or Dyson but you might still be wondering how you can get your employees to embrace fresh thinking in 2008. Alternatively, you might feel that investing in innovation is a luxury for a business and that in a tougher economic climate you should be focusing on the basics rather than reinventing the wheel.
|
Common misconceptions about innovation is that it is costly and all about big ideas.
Thankfully innovation is not just about ushering in a mammoth breakthrough in technology or spending thousands of pounds on research. In most cases, it is more about enhancing existing products and processes. Secondly, you don’t need to come up with one eureka-moment idea for your business to be radically transformed. Instead, small, low-cost ideas can bring about massive changes to a business.
So, what can a smaller business without huge R&D budgets do to cultivate a spirit of innovation? The Institute of Work Psychology has suggested various initiatives to encourage innovation including developing a learning culture, setting up idea-capture schemes, having an appropriate rewards system for new ideas and providing higher visibility to innovation. Practically, this could mean creating an ideas’ envelope in your reception area or having a blue-sky thinking room where employees are encouraged to spend time.
|
|
Innovation requires inspiration and you can provide yourself and your employees with outside sources of inspiration by sending them to conferences, seminars, peer group meetings or by inviting an MAS specialist into your business to chat and brainstorm. Our team of specialists has a wealth of experience and skills and can share ideas with you of what has worked in other organisations and situations across the region.
The next big thing to take your industry or company by storm could be lurking in the imagination of one of your employees – all you need to do is access it! Whether in the car park, the canteen or the lift, there can be real, tangible returns if you open your mind to the thoughts of every single employee.
Arthur Richardson
Director
South West MAS
|
|
|
"The workshop gave me a better understanding of what lean is all about."
Jo Hart, trainer, UnoMedical, Stroud on the recent Introduction to Lean Manufacturing workshop in Wiltshire
|
 |
 |
Trelawney Dampney
Managing Director
Eco-Composting
Founded in 1994, Eco Composting is an organics recycling firm, annually processing 120,000 tonnes of material on its site in Parley, Dorset. End products include turf, enriched topsoil, compost and woodchip.
|
|
What excites you about your day-to-day work?
The thrill of being able to add value to the many things we do. Making anything is fairly straight forward but being able to improve the process; add value to the finished product or thinking laterally to reduce costs is great.
In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
Seeing the site run with few hitches and seeing employees enjoying what they do.
What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Spending more money on a manager than I traditionally would. Paying that extra bit ensured we got a manager who handled the job easily and this has manifested itself in having a site that runs well, has reduced running costs and looks great.
On a day-to-day basis, what do you find frustrating about your work?
The daily grind of driving out results, but this has to happen.
What inspired you to work in manufacturing?
I like doing practical things.
Read more >
|
|
 |
Tracklements relishes the future following the SMP
Established in 1970, Wiltshire-based Tracklements produces some of the UK’s finest food accompaniments. Headed up by Guy Tullberg, the company employs more than 40 people and distributes its products through a network of independents as well as major names such as Fortnum & Mason and Harrods.
|
|
Tracklements had worked with the South West MAS on various lean manufacturing projects but in early 2007, the company signed up for the South West MAS’ Strategic Management Programme (SMP) which aims to help businesses assess the strategic direction of a company and maximise innovation, knowledge, skills and adaptability.
Guy Tullberg explains: “Tracklements was at a crossroads. We were in the process of moving to a new factory and it felt like the opportune moment to review where we went as a business after that.”
To read more, click here
Since the SMP began:
- 68 manufacturers have participated in the programme
- 826 jobs have been created or safeguarded
- £27 million Gross Value Added (GVA) has been created or safeguarded
- £5.5 million has been invested by the participating companies in new equipment, factory moves and extensions, improved IT and business operating systems and new technology
If you would like to find out more about the Strategic Management Programme, call the MAS on 0845 608 3838
|
|
 |
 |
Three hundred
manufacturers sign up to SC21
The Society of British Aerospace Companies' (SBAC) has announced that three hundred firms have signed up to its Supply Chains in the Twenty First Century (SC21) initiative since its inauguration eighteen months ago.
|
|
The programme, launched at the Farnborough Air Show in 2006 with 19 participating companies, aims to remove duplication, minimise waste and increase coordination. It is designed to help deliver increased competitiveness in the aerospace and defence industry by lowering the costs of doing business.
The national implementation plan, launched in July 2007, is expected to maintain the momentum of the positive initial results, and it is hoped the steady stream of new signatories will continue.
Ian Godden, SBAC chief executive, said: "SC21 is a landmark change in the aerospace and defence industry that will allow participating firms to improve their supply chain performance and cut down on the number and bureaucracy of supply chain audits. I would encourage businesses that are involved in the aerospace supply chain to engage fully in SC21 to bring major benefits to their business. I am confident that there are significant cost savings and business benefits available. SC21 will contribute greatly to ensuring that the UK aerospace industry maintains its position as a world leader."
To support SC21 in the South West, the South West MAS is now working with the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) and is offering a free review to help companies identify areas for improvement, opportunities for innovation and to explore how supply chain communication and collaboration can be enhanced. For more information contact the MAS on info@swmas.co.uk or 0845 608 3838.
|
|
|
 |
Hunt for the best manufacturers in North Devon
Manufacturers from across North Devon are being invited to enter the 2008 North Devon Manufacturers Association (NDMA) annual awards.
|
|
The most prestigious awards of their type in the region, they provide an opportunity for manufacturers of all sizes to gain recognition for their efforts during the past 12 months. Previous winners have included Lambda UK and Actavis.
The manufacturing sector is a major contributor to the North Devon economy, currently accounting for 22 per cent of the workforce, and 26 per cent of GDP.
Award categories in 2008 include Manufacturer of the Year; Best Team of the Year; Apprentice of the Year; Sustainable Innovation Scheme of the Year; Innovative Idea of the Year and Best Transformation of the Year. The awards are being sponsored by a cross-section of bodies with close links to the sector including the South West MAS.
To read more, click here
The deadline for entries is Thursday, January 31. For more details on how to enter the NDMA annual awards visit www.ndma.org.uk
|
|
 |
Finding new ways to gain a competitive edge
UK companies have to compete in a global economy, with customers sourcing products, services and technology on a worldwide basis. In this climate, British companies can no longer expect to compete on quality, cost or delivery alone. They must find new ways to gain a competitive advantage.
|
|
Adopting new technology could give you that edge. Another way could be to trade your own technology and expertise.
The role of the South West Innovation Relay Centre (SWIRC) is to bring companies, universities and research institutes together so that they can profit from each others research, technology and expertise.
Established by the European Commission in 1995, it has grown in to a network of nearly 300 offices, operating throughout the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria and Israel. As part of the Innovation Relay Centre Network we have access to hundreds of technology partnering opportunities through our Technology Watch Service.
Here are two current technology partnering opportunities:
Powder Slurry Coating
Reference: 07 GB EAST 0JAU
The UK branch of a multinational company is searching for highly effective powder slurry coatings (and coating techniques).
Search for innovative metal plating technology
Reference: 07 CH RAEP 0J2K
A Swiss company designing and manufacturing electro-technical components is looking for alternative & innovating plating processes.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
  |
|
> Introduction to Lean Manufacturing in Wiltshire
The South West MAS is hosting FREE workshops in Wiltshire to introduce manufacturing teams to the latest lean tools and techniques. The workshops will cover topics such as identifying and eliminating seven types of waste found in manufacturing processes, removing production bottlenecks, Kanban and continuous improvement.
South West manufacturers who wishes to receive an invitation should email Jackie Howard at info@swmas.co.uk
|
 |
Thursday 24th January –The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury SN16 0BW |
|
Friday 25th January –Cotswold Water Park Hotel, Cirencester, GL7 5FP |
 |
Manufacturers |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
> Cellular Manufacturing
In traditional manufacturing, a product often cannot be moved from one machine or workstation to the next until the 'batch' is ready. This can result in lost time and inefficiencies but such problems can be overcome by moving to an alternative strategy called 'cellular manufacturing'. To find out more, come to this workshop, which is part of the South West MAS’ Improving your Manufacturing Operation series. For more information, call 0845 608 38383 or email info@swmas.co.uk |
|
Tuesday 5th February– Bodmin |
|
Thursday 7th February –Exeter |
 |
8.30am – 1pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
|
|
|
|
> WEAF Annual Conference
The 2008 conference will be on “Technologies and Collaboration”, and will focus on the current and future technologies for the industry, both for civil and defence. In keeping with established traditions, key speakers from Government and Industry will outline the future of the industry in terms of economic growth linked to national initiatives such as SC21, AEIGT, DIS 2
and DTS.
The conference attracts over 300 delegates from 150+ companies and is the
largest aerospace and defence event in the South West.
For more information, contact karen@weaf.co.uk or 01275 872 353 |
|
Wednesday 6th February– Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
|
|
|
|
> Manufacturing Meet the Buyers 2008
By attending this event you will be able to meet and sell face-to-face to purchasing managers from companies such as Honda, Lotus, JCB, and the MOD. An appointment system allows you to request sales meetings with the buyers of your choice, all in one day, under one roof. This unique concept has helped suppliers win £millions worth of new business. To find out more, email info@swmas.co.uk |
|
Wednesday 6th February– Golden Valley Thistle Hotel, Cheltenham, GL51 0TS |
|
9:00am – 5:00pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£50 + VAT |
|
|
|
> Achieving Quick Changeovers
Time spent on machine changeovers can be a major barrier to meeting customer needs but applying the right methodology to reducing this 'dead' time is one of the simplest ways to improve efficiency, reduce stock requirements, increase capacity and enhance flexibility. To find out more, come to this workshop, which is part of the South West MAS’ Improving your Manufacturing Operation series. For more information, call 0845 608 38383 or email info@swmas.co.uk |
|
Wednesday 27th February – Bodmin |
|
Thursday 28th February – Exeter |
|
8.30am – 1pm |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
> Six Sigma Programme
Run by the South West MAS, this nine-day classroom programme includes ongoing personal coaching in proven Six Sigma techniques. It has been designed for continuous improvement professionals who want to learn the latest skills to guarantee success in key business projects. The practice of Six Sigma enables the measuring and removing of variation and waste from within functions and processes. This powerful process methodology operates within the structure of Define, Measure, Analyse, Improve, Control and delivers bottom line results fast. The programme is best suited to companies with more than 20 employees. Delegates will be required to bring a laptop computer with two pre-loaded pieces of software - SPC XL and DOE KiSS - which can be purchased before the programme begins. For more information, call 0845 608 38383 or email info@swmas.co.uk |
|
Starts 19th February |
|
Manufacturers |
| |
£1,250 + VAT for SMEs |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
