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MAS South East pave way for a leaner approach to manufacturing at Brett Landscaping
25th February 2011
Brett Landscaping, part of the Brett Group - the largest independent construction and building materials group in the UK, invests further in its manufacturing operations at Cliffe, Kent, thanks to a series of intensive workshops delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East.
Brett Landscaping specialises in the manufacture and supply of hard landscaping products for domestic and commercial use, such as paving and specialist kerbs. The company has had a very successful 12 months in which it has secured a full range of key management, environmental, and Health & Safety accreditations across all four of its UK main manufacturing facilities.
In parallel and to further improve its performance and enhance its operations, whilst keeping costs down, Brett Landscaping recently teamed up with MAS South East to get some practical, hands-on support and training on new manufacturing techniques in order to further raise efficiency, quality and productivity levels throughout its facility.
Via a series of intensive workshops on lean manufacturing, presentation skills and OEE measurement (Overall Equipment Effectiveness), Grant Baker, MAS South East Specialist, introduced a number of essential lean tools and techniques resulting in the creation of two internal continuous improvement teams.
Using ‘5S’, a workplace organisation methodology, looking at designing out the key wastes in production systems and processes, both teams set about applying the tools and techniques learnt to identify areas for improvement.
The teams set to work sorting out priorities for improvement including tools and equipment, spares and general workplace cleanliness. This was closely followed by the development of an extensive action plan to determine what they wanted to achieve within a set timescale. Headed-up by Factory Manager Jon Webster, both teams are now in charge of driving improvements and embedding value across all areas of production.
Jon Webster, Factory Manager at Brett Landscaping’s Kent site, said: “MAS South East has been invaluable in helping us with our ongoing programme of leaner, more sustainable, ethical manufacturing. ‘5S’ enabled us to put into practice the basic principles of lean manufacturing. The teams have made very positive changes and improvements that have certainly lead to better workplace organisation and will continue to provide significant, ongoing cost benefits to the business.”
Grant Baker, MAS South East Specialist, said: “Through coaching and mentoring, MAS South East is committed to providing the necessary skills set to deliver sustainable improvements and changes that can be continued and developed on - essential to the growth of any manufacturer.
“Brett Landscaping continues to move the business onwards and upwards, ensuring the on-going development of its workforce and shop floor processes. Lean manufacturing is now embedded into the heart of all activities at Brett Landscaping, underpinning its working culture and values.”
For further information on Brett Landscaping visit www.brett.co.uk/landscaping
Ends
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.
