Awards for manufacturing improvement

A PICME product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 17, 2003

Last week's Chemical Industries Awards saw three winners in a new category of manufacturing improvement award sponsored by PICME.

The Chemical Industries Awards on Tuesday 8th July saw three winners in a new category of manufacturing improvement award sponsored by PICME.

Rhodia Pharma Solutions and Contract Chemicals jointly claimed first prize in the batch processing category.

DuPont Sabanaci UK won first prize in the continuous manufacturing category.

Runners up in continuous were Huntsman Petrochemicals (UK) and Reckitt Benckiser.

The runner up in batch processing was Marley Floors.

PICME chief executive Mark Lewis presented the awards.

Rhodia Pharma Solutions received the award for the transformation of its operations and significant improvements made in terms of efficiency and health, safety and environmental performance resulting from the use of the "20 keys" lean manufacturing system.

This includes the clear alignment of the business goals with the manufacturing improvement goals; excellent progress in safety performance; and a 22% increase in sales, matched by a reduction in costs of 12% and working capital of 69%.

CIA Director - Trade and Competitiveness, Stephen Elliott said: "Rhodia Pharma Solutions' outstanding performance has demonstrated that a company-wide commitment to manufacturing improvement can result in real bottom line benefits.

Productivity improvements can be identified in any organisation, and swift implementation can improve competitiveness in the global chemical marketplace".

Contract Chemicals received the award for its bromine manufacturing improvement programme, which has led to an improvement in throughput of 38% over a 12-month period.

Notable features of the programme include the use of new product procedures to drive manufacturing performance; the communication of the programme goals to all staff; the excellent use of "lean" manufacturing principles; and the use of an integrated management system to underpin ISO9000:2000, OHSAS18001 and ISO14001 plus third-party accreditation to EMAS and Responsible Care.

Contract Chemicals was ranked in first place, out of 1600 sites, in the Environment Agency's OPRA assessments for 2001.

Stephen Elliott said: "Contract Chemicals' outstanding performance has demonstrated that a company-wide commitment to manufacturing improvement can result in real bottom line benefits.

Productivity improvements can be identified in any organisation, and swift implementation can improve competitiveness in the global chemical marketplace".

DuPont Sabanci UK received the award for engaging its whole workforce in a journey to world class manufacturing and beyond to deliver a 30% improvement in manufacturing output and production cost; a 25% reduction in fixed costs; and a 50% reduction in recordable injuries.

Elliott said: "DuPont Sabanci has demonstrated that a company-wide commitment to improvement in its manufacturing performance can result in significant bottom line gains reinforced by further benefits in terms of health and safety.

Productivity and HSE improvements can be identified in any organisation, and their swift implementation can help maximise competitiveness in the global chemical marketplace".