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Leadership – are you up to the challenge?
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In challenging times such as these, one of the most valuable commodities a business can have is good leadership. With competition rife and productivity and efficiencies more important than ever, it is the leaders of a company which staff will look to for guidance, to keep them motivated and inspire confidence that the business will survive and prosper.
Successful leadership is not only about skills in team management, budgeting and vision setting, it is also about being able to communicate effectively to inspire and engage with staff from all levels. Leaders who have the ability to get everyone pulling in the same direction, from cleaners through to the sales force, are worth their weight in gold.
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It is this ability to encourage loyalty and help teams to feel part of something bigger that will keep staff focused and engaged in the face of potential pay freezes, customer losses and the many other obstacles that the current economy will throw at us.
To read the full article please click here.
Simon Howes
Business Development Director
South West MAS
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SST plays it safe with the MAS
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For specialist IT manufacturer, Secure Systems Technology (SST), advice from the MAS on lean manufacturing techniques has helped reduce lead times by four weeks and also pushed monthly labour costs down by 26 per cent.
Gloucestershire-based SST has over 20 years’ experience in the field of data security, and specialises in the manufacture of rugged, encryption and communications security equipment.
With high customer expectations – all SST equipment is designed to meet NATO, military and government standards – SST needed to introduce greater flexibility within its product range. It also wanted to decrease lead-times to meet customer requirements and delivery expectations, and stay ahead of the competition.
MAS specialist, John Phillipart, said: “In order for us to assist SST in achieving their goals, we introduced them to lean manufacturing principles. This would help them become more flexible and robust in their processes, and improve ability to meet product variants and customisation required to satisfy customer demands."
To read this article in full, please click here
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Spotlight on Amtek Precision Engineers Ltd
Mike Lawes is production manager of Amtek Precision Engineers Ltd, manufacturer of fabricated metal products
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What excites you about your day-to-day work?
Taking on new challenges that will stretch and improve my skills, abilities and those of our staff.
In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
There are two things that are guaranteed to do this. Positive feedback received from a customer is a great indication that they will return with more orders, and is something we are always working towards. The second is to be involved in the development of new processes that will improve the efficiency and profitability of the company as a whole.
What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Over the last 12 months, I have been heavily involved in the acquisition of a number of new machine tools here at Amtek; the largest of these is a high-end MAZAK INTEGREX 200-IV mill-turn centre. With the machines ‘Done-in-One’ capability, we have been able to reduce the number of set-ups and operations it takes to complete one part, thus improving our efficiency no-end.
On a day-to-day basis, what do you find frustrating about your work?
Anything that hinders the development and progression of the company.
What inspired you to work in manufacturing?
I have a history of tool making in my family and I decided at an early age that I wanted to continue the tradition, have a trade and career that I could develop through hard work, instead of just having a job.
To read this article in full, please click here
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NEW Downturn Readiness Review
What does the economic slowdown mean for you? Is it an opportunity or a problem?
MAS has launched a new programme aimed at helping businesses cope with the potential downturn and build manufacturing strategies to maximize on emerging opportunities. The Downturn Readiness Review looks at a business' ability and plans to cope with challenges arising from a tightening of the economy and covers a review of business finances, market landscape, people and processes. It aims to help businesses read situations in terms of risk, exposure and opportunities and through a series of “what-if" projections and scenario planning, develop company action plans.
The Downturn Readiness Review is tailored to South West manufacturing businesses taking part, regardless of sector or size, and is aimed at ensuring they continue to grow in the face of an economic slowdown.
For more information on the Downturn Readiness Review, email info@swmas.co.uk or call 0845 608 3838
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| Productivity and Competitiveness Methodology
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MAS specialists often get asked by clients how they can maintain the lean changes that have been implemented throughout their business.
The most challenging part of any improvement programme is maintaining the momentum and ensuring that any improvements you make to your bottom line are sustainable. In order to address this, the Manufacturing Skills Alliance and Learning Skills Council have developed the Productivity and Competitiveness process (PAC).
All MAS South West specialists are now qualified PAC analysts and can assess your current performance to help ensure sustainability by delivering a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in business improvement techniques. Through this process your staff will gain the skills, knowledge, experience and confidence to roll out further improvements across your business.
If you’d like to take advantage of the expertise of MAS South West specialists (who are also qualified PAC analysts), for your business, or to find out more please call our helpdesk on 0845 608 3838 or email info@swmas.co.uk |
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| NetRegs |
REACH: Remember to pre-register your chemicals
If you import or manufacture more than one tonne of a chemical substance in a year, you must register or pre-register the substance by 1st December 2008. This includes chemicals contained in finished goods. Pre-registration is free and may mean you won't need to apply for full registration for up to 10 years. You can pre-register online with the European Chemicals Agency.
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"The improvements justified the hard work applied by all concerned. It has placed SST in a great position to take advantage of market trends and surges."
Derek Hurle, general manager at Secure Systems Technology
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| Food and drink manufacturing waste training tool
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This training tool is for food and drink manufacturing businesses in England. The six modules will help you understand how to manage your waste. Each module should take less than 15 minutes to complete and has a quiz at the end so that you can test your knowledge.
For further information, click here
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| Updated Guidance: Rubber and plastic products
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See NetRegs guidance for rubber and plastic products if your business manufactures finished articles from polymers and elastomers or processes monomers and pre-polymers.
For further information, click here
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The new Enterprise Europe Network in the South West – manufacturer wanted to partner UK company
Further to the Innovation Relay Centre merging with the Enterprise Europe Network - a new pan-European network established by the European Commission - companies are already contacting the network in search of new partnerships.
Here is one current technology partnering opportunity:
Press Forging of Aluminium Parts (Ref: 08 SWMAS FR 0l5 0J1S)
A French aerospace manufacturer seeks means of forging aluminium parts, which go through a die stamping and spinning operation. The required solution must have a press capacity higher than 15,000 tonnes and the ability to manufacture curved parts of a few meters length. Strict tolerances are required in order to regulate the temperatures and spinning velocity.
To read more, click here.
For more information on the Enterprise Europe Network in the South West and further partnering opportunities, please email Kenny Legg on Kenny.Legg@enterpriseeuropesw.org.uk
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| You can now book your place at South West MAS events online. Simply visit the South West MAS website, provide your details and you will receive confirmation of your booking, be able to pay online and download maps and directions. You can also quickly see what events you’ve attended in the past. |
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| MAS South West Events |
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>Practical Problem Solving
Continually improving requires continually solving problems - whether these are technical or recurring day-to-day problems.
In just half a day, you will learn practical and proven tools and techniques that really work on the shop floor.
Management by Fact is a term frequently used in manufacturing. We will show you, using team-based activity, how to identify process / production variability and what changes will give you the biggest improvements for least time, cost and effort.
You will learn tools and techniques to demonstrate to your team and senior management the real bottom line benefits of implementing change.
For further information and booking on this event click here.
NOTE: When booking to attend the "Practical Problem Solving" workshop, why not book for the morning session as well "Introduction to Lean Manufacturing" |
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Wednesday 26 November 2008, Afternoon Session – Teignbridge Business Centre, Newton Abbot |
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12.15pm – 4.15pm |
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Manufacturers |
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£25 plus VAT per delegate |
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>Introduction to 5S, Devon
Heard of 5S and want to find out more? Find out how adopting 5S can make a huge difference.
5S is the starting point for continuous improvement and a process for achieving the visual workplace. As a method of sustaining the improvements it’s the fastest way to make improvements. For manufacturers, the challenge is how to get more from existing investments in plant, machinery and people without spending more on new resources.
Benefits include:
- Increased Safety - Hazards clear and controlled
- Increased Productivity - Less Waste
- Increased Quality and Process Reliability
- Reduced Operating Costs
For further information and booking please click here.
NOTE: When booking to attend the "Introduction to 5S" workshop, why not book for the afternoon session as well, “Practical Problem Solving"
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Wednesday 26 November 2008, Morning Session – Teignbridge Business Centre, Newton Abbot |
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9am – 1pm |
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Manufacturers |
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£25 plus VAT per delegate |
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>Can GREEN Credentials improve your Business?
Going Green isn't just good for the planet, it can give your business a boost too.
A FREE seminar, packed full of valuable ideas on recycling, energy saving and using the internet will show you how to differentiate yourselves from the competition.
This seminar from Barclays and Partners, including Envirowise and ACCA sets out the practical steps you can take to reduce the environmental impact of your business - starting right now. More importantly you can discover how going Carbon Neutral can have a positive effect on your profits.
Presenters, Business Guru's Robert Craven and Kiki Maurey well known UK speakers on entrepreneurship and business growth.
For more information and to register please click here or call 0800 515462. |
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Wednesday 26 November 2008, Kingsley Village Hotel, Newquay, Cornwall |
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TBA |
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Manufacturers |
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>PLASTIC PACKAGING - Reducing, re-using and recycling
What is the biggest problem with waste reduction and recycling: the public will say packaging; the packaging industry say that packaging is necessary and local authorities say they think there are too many types of plastics.
The Government's Waste Strategy 2007 focuses on waste reduction and highlights the need to enable businesses to reduce, re-use and recycle their waste. Much work is being done both nationally and locally to reduce packaging waste, to make it reusable, recyclable and to increase its recyclate content.
This conference aims to bring delegates up to date on the current research, national company initiatives and local best practice.
- Advice for businesses will be on hand from Envirowise and Envision
- Bring along a plastic sample and find out if it can be recycled
For more information please click here. |
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Friday 28 November 2008, Coaver Conference Centre, Devon County Council, Exeter |
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TBA |
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Manufacturers |
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£30 per delegate |
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