Sharing will help manufacturers weather the storm

20th May 2009

SWMAS is advising manufacturers across the UK to work together and share best practice to weather the current economic downturn.

The benefits of this advice were borne out of the region’s top manufacturers attendance of the MAS’ national best practice visit, recently hosted by Renishaw, one of the world’s leading engineering technology companies.

Held at Renishaw’s head office in Gloucestershire, the event enabled manufacturers to recognise the importance of sharing best practice as well as look at continual improvement and innovation techniques and explore new opportunities.

John Phillipart of SWMAS said:” Renishaw truly is an exceptional example of a British manufacturing company. The purpose of the event was to help bring manufacturers together and demonstrate how innovation, teamed with efficient manufacturing techniques, can help manufacturers take control of their businesses.”

Marc Saunders, Renishaw’s UK General Manager, said ”We believe that the only way for UK manufacturers to remain globally competitive is by creating high-value added products and services, and by using highly automated production processes. Times are tough, but this is also an opportunity to re-focus our businesses so that we are in good shape to take advantage of a global recovery.”

The event included presentations on new product introduction, continuous process improvement applied to the manufacturing environment, product demos and culminated with a tour of the business.

Marcus Viveash, assistant works manager for FLI Structures, which provides a range of towers for the telecommunications industry, said: “The Renishaw best practice event was a real eye opener, demonstrating a very efficient, professional setup.”

For more information or to sign up for future next national best practice visits, please see www.mas.bis.gov.uk

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