Andrew Mullan, Daniel Cooper, Lisa Poxon, Pawel Borowski, Tracy Richards completed a three-month Inspiring Innovation and Creativity Programme with Wolverhampton College.
The cross functional team learnt skills to enable them to develop new business ideas and create a culture change within the organisation, which was implemented in two important sections of the business with the aim to be carried out throughout the whole business as a continuous improvement philosophy.
Lean Six Sigma, problem solving, project management, process mapping, quality assurance, data analysis and capability control alongside communication as teamwork were included in the agenda.
The first pilot areas of the business included our 400-tonne progression press as one of our most important pieces of equipment, a progression tool for an existing metal component and our laser fabrication department.
The team carried out a SWOT analysis and a 5S checklist initial audit and as a result implemented the following changes:
- New and improved visual standards
- Improved quality of tools to reduce misfeeds and improve quality and accuracy
- Replaced manual processes with automation
- TPM
- Increased cleaning stations
The changes have allowed the productivity to increase alongside cost reductions to presswork and laser fabrication processes within the engineering business. Being a cross functional team has given a wider insight and practical representations of costs of poor efficiency, and the team can collectively work together within our Target Zero defects, accidents, landfill, and variance philosophy to continue the improvements throughout and adapt the culture for all personnel.
Mike O’Shea, Managing Director said: “It is imperative that these core competencies are built into everyday job roles, creating the opportunity for business excellence to become a growing part of our culture.
My commitment is to give the team the time to develop these skills, helping them to develop as individuals and potentially future business benefits.”
