Manufacturing consultants and trainers - Lean, Continuous Improvement and Supply Chain. Helping manufacturers to add value, increase sales, and reduce costs through Leadership Development and Training, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Office, and Process Improvement.

We help manufacturers to grow sales, reduce costs and continuously improve - "Practical help in plain English, that really works!"

"Probably the best business improvement programme in the UK"A unique combination of consortium learning and tailored in-company consultancy.Now celebrating 20 years of successful Lean transformations!

Set up a Lean Manufacturing cell, generating more than £1m pa of profitable turnover with five semi-skilled operators. Reduced assembly lead-time from three days to 30 minutes, trebled output and halved cycle times. Implemented a bespoke Shop-Floor Data Collection system, specified, procured and installed £250k of CNC machinery, introduced a new panel processing line, and implemented a fully integrated CADCAM system (from 3-D concept to machine tool). Moved all production employees (150) from a… Show more Set up a Lean Manufacturing cell, generating more than £1m pa of profitable turnover with five semi-skilled operators. Reduced assembly lead-time from three days to 30 minutes, trebled output and halved cycle times. Implemented a bespoke Shop-Floor Data Collection system, specified, procured and installed £250k of CNC machinery, introduced a new panel processing line, and implemented a fully integrated CADCAM system (from 3-D concept to machine tool). Moved all production employees (150) from a traditional piece-work payment system to a group productivity scheme based on standard times. Responsible for all Poduction Operations, IT and Facilities Management. Show less

Recruited by the London-based owners to turn around the company's manufacturing operations. Brought in a new management team, introduced Lean Manufacturing, gained ISO9000 and CAA approval, and helped transform the business, leading to a highly successful trade sale. The company continues to be successful and is now the world's largest manufacturer of dry-suits.

In 18 months, transformed the worst-performing materials control team in the UK to the best-performing. Nominated as successor to UK Materials Manager.

Seconded at four hours' notice to run a high-growth spin-off business making and distributing joysticks, games interfaces and software to the new and rapidly growing PC Games market across the UK and Europe. In less than a year doubled sales turnover to £400k per month, with only two admin staff, developed and launched a highly successful new product range, set up a subcontract manufacturing operation with 80 full-time workers, and helped recruit a new Sales Director / General Manager… Show more Seconded at four hours' notice to run a high-growth spin-off business making and distributing joysticks, games interfaces and software to the new and rapidly growing PC Games market across the UK and Europe. In less than a year doubled sales turnover to £400k per month, with only two admin staff, developed and launched a highly successful new product range, set up a subcontract manufacturing operation with 80 full-time workers, and helped recruit a new Sales Director / General Manager. Implemented a successful action plan incorporating expansion, diversification, capital investment and cost reduction. Installed effective control systems, doubled production capacity, rationalised the supplier base and improved on-time deliveries from 85% to 98%. Project managed the effective merger of the businesses by integrating all operating functions and systems into those of the parent company.Wish I'd had shares! Show less

Responsible for all Materials Management operations, including the implementation of a new company-wide MRPII system. Implemented MRPII systems, Supplier Appraisal and Rating systems, and negotiated long-term JIT contracts. Reduced the cost of the Company's main product range by 5%. Introduced new working practices, set up multi-discipline simultaneous engineering teams, and initiated a successful Value Engineering programme, reducing costs by 10%. The company was a UK pioneer of what were then… Show more Responsible for all Materials Management operations, including the implementation of a new company-wide MRPII system. Implemented MRPII systems, Supplier Appraisal and Rating systems, and negotiated long-term JIT contracts. Reduced the cost of the Company's main product range by 5%. Introduced new working practices, set up multi-discipline simultaneous engineering teams, and initiated a successful Value Engineering programme, reducing costs by 10%. The company was a UK pioneer of what were then referred to as "Japanese Manufacturing Techniques" like Just-In-Time (now "Lean"), and became a Class A MRPII site. During this time the company continued to double its turnover each year and went through three separate changes of ownership, culminating in its acquisition by Williams Holdings. Show less

Lucky to be part of the last intake of the then-renowned Mather + Platt "Special Apprenticeship" programme. Spent 12 months training in all departments of the business, with additional Workshop and Drawing Office training, and worked during the summer holidays. On graduating, joined the Fire Engineering Division. Initially worked as a Project Engineer, then Buyer and Materials Manager, where I managed the outsourcing of all products to our Australian sister plant as the Manchester site was… Show more Lucky to be part of the last intake of the then-renowned Mather + Platt "Special Apprenticeship" programme. Spent 12 months training in all departments of the business, with additional Workshop and Drawing Office training, and worked during the summer holidays. On graduating, joined the Fire Engineering Division. Initially worked as a Project Engineer, then Buyer and Materials Manager, where I managed the outsourcing of all products to our Australian sister plant as the Manchester site was closed and relocated to a greenfield site in Stockport. Appointed Works Controller at Wormald Manufacturing Stockport, responsible for all Materials Management operations, including an MRPII implementation. The Stockport facility was purpose built as a state of the art manufacturing centre for Wormald Fire Systems globally, incorporating a full range of DNC Mazak machining centres, high volume rotary transfer machines and advanced pick and place robots.The closure and transfer of all manufacturing operations was part of a company-wide transformation programme initiated by the Australian parent company. Show less