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Engineering Education, Resources and Standards
News Release from: Advanced Engineering Skills Project
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 30 March 2006
Thumbs up for lean manufacturing
programme
Subcontract machining company finds lean manufacturing programme essential for business survival.
"Essential for the survival of small businesses", is the verdict of David Proctor, Managing Director of DP Engineering, after a year on the Lean Manufacturing Improvement Programme DP Engineering is a subcontract machining company which services clients in the aerospace, gas appliance control, medical and many other sectors
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 28 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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It employs 20 people at its Redruth, Cornwall, premises and makes components in batches ranging from one-offs to 100,000 although its typical order would be about 1000.
Working with various metals and the latest computer numerically controlled machinery, and servicing such a wide-ranging client base, means that efficient ways of working are crucial to keep the company ahead of the game.
This is exactly where the South West Manufacturing Advisory Service's Lean Manufacturing Principles for eliminating waste and continual improvement of processes has helped DP Engineering to score.
"We have reduced our setting up times by 50%", said Proctor.
"We have streamlined our housekeeping and we have improved our quality and service to our customers".
Mentoring from a SWMAS representative is supported by on-site and off-site training.
The programme, which has received AESP funding, has involved staff company-wide, with one member of staff appointed as Lean Manufacturing Team Leader to co-ordinate the programme internally.
At the end of a year, DP Engineering is more than ever committed to the programme.
"With new techniques and innovations all the time, we need this programme of continual improvement", said Proctor.
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