Third annual conference set for September

Lean manufacturing techniques, NVQs and skills improvement, waste minimisation tools, management policy deployment and other new issues will take centre stage at the third annual PICME conference.

Lean manufacturing techniques, NVQs and skills improvement, waste minimisation tools, management policy deployment and many other new issues will take centre stage at the third annual conference for the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME).

Always a sell out, PICME's annual event is this year entitled "Manufacturing improvement - a road to excellence", and is again being held at the world-renowned Cranfield School of Management, Bedford.

In its first three years of operation, DTI funded PICME has now saved clients some GBP 20 million in first year costs.

Typical benefits for individual companies have included: increased output of 10-100%; reduced waste of 10-80%; reduced changeovers/cleandowns of 40-80%; and reduced lead times and stock of 50-75%.

The 7th September will see a number of PICME clients explaining some of these productivity achievements in detail.

The PICME conference sessions will once more be unique in presenting these case studies through the voices of the crossfunctional teams - both shop floor personnel and management - who achieved the manufacturing improvements.

Presenting companies will include Akzo Nobel, Avecia, Muraspec, Marley Plumbing and Drainage, Ocular Sciences and UCB Surface Specialties.

PICME CEO Mark Lewis notes: "We hope that this year's event will once more provide the sector with inspiration and insight".

"We will see how techniques such as pull systems, Kanban, policy deployment and use of NVQs enter the picture and can be used in the process industries".

"The principles of manufacturing based success, however, are essentially people-based and the conference will allow companies to see how to introduce these successfully and sustainably".

"Our passion at PICME", says Lewis, "is to assist companies on their journey to manufacturing excellence".

"Our approach is a practical one of learning though doing".

"The PICME Conference on 7th September is the best place to meet others who are on the road and I urge all in the process sector to attend".

Lewis notes that the processing industries worldwide continue to see increased pressure on profitability.

"Successful businesses have no option but to become world class in all areas of their operations, including manufacturing".

Delegates on 7th September will be able to learn how others in the process industries are: reducing costs, raising productivity, shortening lead times and line changeovers, increasing output and flexibility and developing more creative working practices.

The event is also intended to give delegates: the basic roadmap for improving performance; practical illustration of these techniques and how they work for leading process companies; interactive Q and A with opportunity to network across different parts of the UK process industries and discuss best practice with industry peers; and insights into how to deliver sustainable process improvement.

Features additional to the core presentations include: special sessions including software demonstrations for identifying improvement opportunities; demonstration for PICME grant finder which assists with grant aid for process manufacturers who are seeking to improve; an exhibition area that includes detailed case studies from successful PICME clients as well as associated regional and national programme; and a preview of PICME's new services for 2004-05 including strategic management services and supply chain improvement tools.

Also offered to the delegates is a networking event including dinner on the evening of 6th September.

This begins at 1900 BST.

This function is a unique opportunity to meet with a range of companies across the UK trying to tackle similar issues.

This year Barry Stickings of BASF who chairs the UK Chemistry Leadership Council will be laying down the UK industry agenda which will influence UK policy.

In terms of job functions, the PICME conference is aimed at: managing directors and CEOs seeking an overview of manufacturing productivity; plant operations directors and managers; plant production and engineering directors, managers and supervisors; quality directors and managers; and continuous improvement leaders and programme managers.

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