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Is now a good time to review the design of your products and processes?
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The in-house resources of smaller businesses are typically less than those of the larger multinationals. Yet the current economic climate makes no distinction, and is likely to be hitting hard, irrespective of company size. Every day depressing stories of real hardship or closure are making the news. Every company will be seeking ways to weather the storm and
re-emerge into the future in stronger, competitive shape.
Companies will understand the advantages that a programme of lean improvement can generate; eliminating waste and raising operational performance. MAS South West has long promoted lean thinking. It has worked with clients across the region, making available its expertise and supporting the introduction of lean techniques to the workplace. Equally, companies will understand the need to have a competitive product offering in the marketplace. Competitiveness is multi-faceted with products having to serve a real market need, whilst being sold at the best possible price. The same products must also provide the highest standards of quality and delivery.
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MAS South West recognises the sustainable business contribution that better designed products and manufacturing processes can yield. Each and every company can ask itself whether it really has optimally designed products suited to lean manufacture. Is manufacture as cost effective, because of design, as it could be? Does the product promote good manufacturing practice? Is manufacturing flexibility all that it could be? Not only the product, the company can question whether the manufacturing processes it employs are best suited to its current and future product portfolio. Are there perhaps stages within the overall manufacturing processes that could be entirely eliminated were the design of the product slightly altered? Together the savings can be highly significant.
MAS South West provides a service to assess New Product Innovation and Development. Investment can be minimal, save for taking the time to evaluate the possibilities, but the rewards can be substantial.
For further information on Innovation please click here
Richard McIntosh
New Product Innovation & Design (NPID) Specialist
South West MAS
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MAS cooks up review of business for bakery manufacturer
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For family-owned food manufacturer, Chough Bakery, a timely visit from the MAS to carry out a detailed review of the business looks certain to help them maintain operational performance, profit margins and enhance customer service levels. |
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The award-winning bakery, based in Padstow, produces a range of Cornish specialities including pasties, saffron cake and scones. The products are locally renowned with the bakery priding itself on its quality standards and service.
In August 2008, Chough produced record daily sales figures, showing a seasonal peak in activity as a result of tourism during summer months. However, Chough realised that fulfilling similar growth in 2009 as well as servicing existing accounts and meeting new business targets would see a substantial impact on operational requirements as well as increased pressure to sustain quality, cost and delivery performance.
To read more click here
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Spotlight on Tristan Hogg, managing director of pieminister foods
Tristan Hogg is the co-founder and managing director of Bristol-based pieminister foods, producers of handmade pies
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What excites you about your day-to-day work?
I love the fact that every single day is different, I could never do the same thing day in day out, as I don't have the concentration.
In a typical day, what is guaranteed to put a smile on your face?
We get fan mail from people who take the time to write and tell us that they appreciate our dedication to making yummy food. That makes me smile a lot. It's all worthwhile. I love sharing these letters with the team.
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What has been your greatest achievement in the last year?
Amongst all the negativity about the recession, which I think just makes it worse, our greatest achievement at pieminister has been to stay positive. When times get tough you need to keep your chin up and get on with it, and I think all of the team at pieminister are good at that.
To read more click here
Would you like to appear in next month’s e-Newsletter in the Spotlight section? We are looking for manufacturers who are willing to answer eight simple questions about their day-to-day role. More than 10,000 people worldwide read the monthly e-Newsletter, so if you would like to share your thoughts on working in manufacturing or tell us more about your role, email the editorial team on info@swmas.co.uk
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Downturn Readiness Review
What does the economic slowdown mean for you? Is it an opportunity or a problem?
MAS has launched a programme aimed at helping businesses cope with the potential downturn and build manufacturing strategies to maximise on emerging opportunities. The Downturn Readiness Review (DRR) looks at a business' ability and plans to cope with challenges arising from a tightening of the economy. It covers a review of business finances, market landscape, people and processes and aims to help businesses read situations in terms of risk, exposure and opportunities through a series of “what-if" projections and scenario planning to 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, and to download a brochure please click here. You can also email downturn@swmas.co.uk or call 0845 608 3838
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"The diagnostic review undertaken with the MAS has proved invaluable in helping us prepare for the year ahead."
Elaine Ead, managing director of Chough Bakery
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Manufacturers unlock £1.5 million in cash-flow
With manufacturing orders in the UK plummeting to their weakest level in 17 years and over half of companies reporting a fall in the volume of new orders, the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) is urging manufacturers to look to successful strategies to unlock vital cash-flow and survive the downturn.
In 2008 MAS South West helped 10 companies and 15 associated business projects unlock over £1.5 million through Six Sigma ‘Greenbelt’ training programmes, encouraging manufacturers to adopt proven techniques to cut down waste, remove process variation, reduce scrap and production lead times as well as improve stock levels.
To build stability for the sector and support businesses to prepare for the opportunities in the next few months, the MAS South West is hosting a Six Sigma Greenbelt programme in Tiverton at Hepcomotion on 25th February, run over the course of nine days.
To read more, click here
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Free European technology and business partnering service
A free technology and business partnering service is now available for companies and research organisations, enabling them to develop their business interests across Europe.
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Current partnership opportunities include:
Ref: 09 LT 57AB 3CL4
Lithuanian company is a developer and manufacturer of different cosmetic products (mainly face, body, hair care groups). Company is looking for innovative, ecological packaging solutions for natural and organic cosmetics. Ready to use (or to implement) solutions are preferred. Collaboration in a form of commercial agreement with technical assistance or license agreement is expected.
For further information about partnerships opportunities please click here
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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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>Six Sigma Programme
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South West is hosting a nine day Six Sigma Green Belt Course. This program has been designed to enable individuals within a manufacturing business to apply Six Sigma and how it can be used as an essential tool in the journey towards sustainable continuous improvement, increasing competitiveness, improving performance and motivating employees.
The practice of Six Sigma enables the measuring and removing variation and waste from within functions and processes.
Dates:
Module 1 - 25,26,27 February 2009
Module 2 - 25,26,27 March 2009
Module 3 - 6,7,8 May 2009
For further information and booking please click here
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Wednesday 25 February 2009 – Hepcomotion, Lower Moor Business Park, Tiverton |
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9am – 4.30pm |
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Manufacturers |
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£750 plus VAT per delegate for SME’s, £1500 plus VAT per delegate for LE’s |
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>Renishaw Tour & Demonstrations - Concept to Customer
Are you a key player in a manufacturing company? Do you influence innovation, diversification, change and continuous improvement?
Join MAS at Renishaw's New Mills site Technology Centre, Pre-Production Facility & Rapid Manufacturing Centre. See Product Demonstrations of the latest CMM Scanning Technology.
For further information and booking please click here
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Thursday 23 April 2009, Gloucestershire, Wotton Under Edge, GL12 8JR |
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10.30am – 4.30pm |
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Manufacturers |
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£25 plus VAT |
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>Productivity through Creativity
Want to know how to apply innovative strategies that maximise the potential of your business? Experience hands-on design processes that can help deliver more effective new products and services in our FREE 'Productivity through Creativity' workshops. This is one of three workshops being held this Spring. The workshops are aimed at managing directors and other senior managers of manufacturing businesses, looking for practical methods to help your business focus more sharply on customers and develop stronger working relationships.
Workshop 1 - 19 February 2009 (10am – 4pm) - Tamar Science Park, Plymouth
Workshop 2 - 19 March 2009 (10am – 4pm) - Best Western Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster
Workshop 3 - 28th April 2009, North Bristol, venue and time TBC
For further information and booking please click here |
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19 February 2009, Tamar Science Park, Plymouth |
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19 March 2009, Best Western Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster |
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28 April 2009, North Bristol, venue TBC |
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10am – 4pm |
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Manufacturers |
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>SC21 Clinic
WEAF's series of rolling SC21 clinics continues in the first quarter of 2009. If you want to secure your trading future and that of the West of England, sign up now.
For further information and booking please click here
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Thursday 19 February 2009, Agusta Westland, Yeovil, Somerset |
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9.30am – 4.15pm |
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Manufacturers |
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WEAF Members £55 plus VAT per event. Non Members £110 plus VAT per event |
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| Small firms in South West urged to sign up for Government contracts
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The Supply.2gov.uk website provides an up to the minute database of government contracts for small businesses wishing to supply to the public sector. Suppliers who have signed up to the site receive advice on how best to access government contracts and a free daily email alert notifying them of new opportunities that are relevant to their business. To date, more than 108,000 contract opportunities of all sizes have been advertised through the Supply2.gov.uk portal with an average of 3,500 new opportunities per month - around seven per cent of the opportunities have been in the South West.
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Your say
Each month MAS South West hosts a survey on its website. Visit the homepage at www.swmas.co.uk to give your views on the latest question:
Where do you think you can make the most significant savings ?
Last month we asked, "In these turbulent times what do you think will retain your customers?"
41 per cent said Cost
34 per cent said Added Value
25 per cent said Quality
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| Prompt payment code launched for suppliers to small businesses |
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Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has launched a new Code of Practice to help increase the speed of payments to smaller companies. The code, which is voluntary, has been developed by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and the Institute of Credit Management. It is supported by major business organisations and aims to establish a clear and consistent policy in the payment of business to business bills. The Institute of Credit Management will host the code on its website and will include a facility for suppliers to raise concerns about late payers. For more on this story visit: nds.coi.gov.uk
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| New business toolkit to help fight counterfeiting and piracy |
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A new best practice toolkit which gives businesses practical advice on how they can better protect themselves from the dangers of fake goods entering business supply chains has been launched by The Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Developments in technology and communications have led to increases in intellectual property (IP) crime (counterfeiting and piracy) over the past decade, around $200billion per year, creating one of the biggest problems for businesses of all kinds around the world. The Supply Chain Toolkit includes a step by step approach on what action should be taken if counterfeits are found within the supply chain and guidance on how to strengthen and protect IP assets. To access the new guide visit www.ipo.gov.uk
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| | 'Beat the Recession' Business Breakfasts – Apprenticeship Week 2009 | |
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With the economy officially in recession, creating a highly skilled, knowledgeable and motivated workforce has never been more important.
Apprenticeships are a key weapon to combat the downturn and represent a cornerstone of the Government's skills strategy to increase UK competitiveness. £140 million of extra investment has created new Apprenticeship places across the UK in both public and private sectors. This is in addition to £1 billion already committed to investing in the Apprenticeship programme in the next year.
A series of free Business Breakfasts are being run across the region by the Learning and Skills Council as part of Apprenticeship Week 2009 - a week long celebration of the benefits Apprenticeships provide to businesses and individuals.
- Monday, 23 February, Somerset College of Arts and Technology Campus, Taunton
- Tuesday, 24 February, Astor Hotel, Plymouth
- Monday, 2 March, STEAM, Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon
- Tuesday, 3 March, Gloucester Guildhall, Gloucester
Come along to find out how Apprenticeships could benefit your business, learn about the funding available and hear from key speakers about the financial and competitive advantages they offer.
To reserve a place, simply email rcook@brayleino.co.uk stating your name, position and company, stating which event you'd like to attend, or contact Richard Cook / Graeme Jackson, Tel: 01179 731173 (referencing MAS)
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2009 Best Factory Awards
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Award partners Cranfield School of Management and Works Management magazine are now inviting 2009 entries to the 2009 Best Factory Awards. There is no entry fee and as well as the chance of winning one or more of a dozen category-specific trophies, every entrant gets the benefit of a free, detailed Cranfield assessment, across key operating measures, of its standing in the manufacturing sector in which it operates.
The closing date for entries is 31st March 2009.
For more information visit: www.bestfactoryawards.co.uk
Contact: Maggie Bridge 01234 754498 / m.bridge@cranfield.ac.uk
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