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High 'Hops' for Botanix
17th February 2011
Specialists in the extraction and processing of hops and the creation of advanced hop products for the brewing industry, Botanix has raised its game by taking ownership of a workplace commitment towards a totally lean manufacturing facility at both operations and management level.
Botanix, based in Paddock Wood, Kent, employing over 50 people, has gone through a number of changes during the past couple of years, guided by the hands-on support delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East – after an initial six sigma project during 2009 to improve overall manufacturing quality and output, Colin Wilson, Operations Director at Botanix has since been on a mission to implement lean as a strategic development tool across the whole business.
Following a series of training sessions in lean manufacturing and lean facilitator training to its production staff, Botanix is once again working with MAS South East to ensure that the cultural change needed in the pursuit of continuous improvement at both operations and strategic management level is embedded into the heart of the company.
Working closely with the staff at Botanix, MAS South East Specialist, Grant Baker has devised a programme of half day sessions that will provide the management team with the necessary skills to develop a lean strategic implementation plan. Grant is currently acting as a facilitator, monitoring and supporting Botanix through its lean progress, giving advice and guidance on the use of lean manufacturing tools and techniques, in addition to providing on-going direct support to key individuals, such as nominated ‘change’ managers and team leaders, on lean implementation.
The sessions are also providing guidance and input into identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), implementing improvement measures, tackling communication issues and planning for future projects.
Colin Wilson said: “Botanix has a good, solid, on-going relationship with MAS South East and to date we have implemented a number of successful lean implementation programmes, increasing output and making general improvements in efficiency across the manufacturing department. The current project is intended to give Botanix ownership of its lean journey so that we, as a workforce, are in control of moving the business forward – lean manufacturing for Botanix is on-going and the introduction of KPIs will enable us to measure actual improvements throughout 2011.”
Grant Baker said: “Through a combination of sessions designed to stretch the existing skills and experience of the workforce, Botanix will develop a culture of continuous improvement that not only achieves short term workshop gains, but opens up future business opportunities, taking the business from strength to strength – an ambassador for lean manufacturing.”
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Media enquiries to:
Charlotte Vine, Senior Account Manager
Harvest PR
Tel: 023 9244 9655
Email: charlotte.vine@harvestpr.co.uk
The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East
MAS South East provides companies with practical help and hands-on support in all aspects of manufacturing; offering easy access to professional and experienced manufacturing specialists focused on delivering real bottom line benefits – ‘Support for manufacturers from manufacturers’.
Launched by the Government in 2002, MAS is a key component of the Government’s Solutions for Business portfolio and plays a vital role in giving UK manufacturers the support they need to improve productivity and achieve success in an increasingly competitive global economy.
MAS South East supports manufacturers in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and Sussex.
MAS Contributes to and Celebrates Manufacturing Success.
