Hughes lends advice to chemicals sector

Dr Glyn Hughes has joined the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME) as a senior adviser with special responsibility for the chemicals sector.

Dr Glyn Hughes has joined the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME) as a senior adviser with special responsibility for the chemicals sector.

The appointment will take effect immediately.

The greater part of Hughes's career to date has been with ICI, Elementis and the Humber Chemical Focus.

Hughes has experience in ISO9001, 6-sigma and production improvement as well as a business building track record in inorganic pigments, fluorpolymers and other niche chemicals sectors.

Mark Lewis, PICME Chief Executive says: "We are delighted to welcome Glyn on board".

"He is an experienced executive with broad experience of the chemicals sector and particular expertise in the Humberside region, which will be important for our expansion there in the coming months".

Lewis recently spoke at the Chemical Industries Association Business Outlook conference and noted that many UK process manufacturers have some way to go to bring their operations to world-class levels.

"It remains the case", he said, "that on average productivity improvements of between 20 and 30% are available in the chemicals industry".

"This can give additional production or reduce waste and cost", says Lewis.

"The key to unlocking this potential does not necessarily involve fresh cash or capital equipment".

"It lies in learning how to work more effectively and to use established continuous improvement tools", he adds.

Since its launch in March 2001 by the DTI and the leading sector trade associations PICME has succeeded in saving substantial sums for every client it has worked with.

These currently total over GBP 70 million in immediate and longer-term benefits.

Glyn Hughes has already been involved in organising the Humberside workshop on best modern industrial practice for the process manufacturing sector.

The event will take place on Tuesday 27th April at Grimsby's prestigious Europarc Innovation Centre.

Programme speakers include Unilever, Johnson Matthey, PICME and the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Industry take-up is expected to be high and, with a limited number of seats available on a first-come first-served basis, early booking is advised.

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