Product category:
Engineering Seminars
News Release from: The Manufacturing Institute
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 10 February 2006
Factory tour demonstrates waste
reduction
Manufacturers from across the north west travelled to Cumbria to discover how one company boosted its profitability by more than a third by reducing waste.
Manufacturers from across the north west travelled to Cumbria to discover how one of the region's leading companies has boosted its profitability by more than a third through a series of waste-busting steps James Walke joined with the Manufacturing Advisory Service in the north west (MAS NW) to host the factory network visit highlighting its success with increased productivity and enhanced customer service
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 28 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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The company has been working for the past 18 months with MAS NW, which is delivered by the Manufacturing Institute, during which time it has introduced a number of lean manufacturing improvements.
For one product, this has led to a 90% cut in the need for overtime working, while at the same time its on-time delivery performance has increased from 50% to 94%.
The company's products include rotary and hydraulic seals, O rings, gaskets and compression packing, as well as custom sealing products.
They are used from pharmaceuticals to shipbuilding, and by power generation and oil and gas producers.
Managing Director Paul Myerscough explained that there had been a great culture change within manufacturing at the company's Cockermouth plant, with additional training and new focus on teamwork and communication.
"The results speak for themselves," he said.
"Our products are manufactured to the same high standard, 24 hours a day".
"We have reduced work in progress from eight days to just three days, enabling an express delivery system to be created for our customers".
"It is an ongoing process and the guidance we've gained from MAS NW has been fundamental in our success".
"We were very pleased to have the opportunity to share this with other manufacturers in the region and hope they took away good ideas to introduce in their own workplace".
The factory tour, which attracted more than two dozen visiting manufacturers, is one of a series being organised this year by MAS NW with companies that have proved the benefits of lean manufacturing techniques.
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