AP Driveline Technologies design, develop & manufacture automotive clutches for cars, commercial, off-highway and high performance vehicles for both Original Equipment vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. Their main products include Clutch cover assemblies, Drive Plate assemblies, Dampened drive plates and Transmission Dampers for driveline NVH (Noise and vibration harshness) solutions and Flywheels.

AP Driveline Technologies have been around for around 70 years making clutches, but went into administration in May 2005. They were then taken over by Magal engineering in August 2005. Since then, a complete lean transformation has taken place covering all aspects of the business.

IME delegates were given the opportunity to visit the Leamington Spa factory in April 2008 as part of the MAS-WM/IME Manufacturing Best Practice workshop visit programme to witness their successful change management process first hand. As well as an in-depth presentation and full site tour delegates were also offered the unique opportunity to speak to employees to gain their honest views regarding how the changes have affected them.

Delegate comments from the day include:

• A fascinating insight into the Magal process,
• one of the best presentations to date,
• examples of how techniques have actually been used is very useful,
• very honest and open.  

AP Driveline Technologies are a new Inside Manufacturing Enterprise host for 2008 and have already contributed a great deal to the programme. Within two years of acquiring AP Driveline the business had increased the turnover from £9 million to £24 million, increased staff moral and reduced the absence rate to 2%. The principles they have adopted can be transferred into any industry and they are great advocates of sharing knowledge and expertise.

"Best practice must be passed on if we are to keep UK based industries alive, and are pleased that we can support this activity through acting as an IME host. "

David Male, Senior Change Agent, Magal Consulting 

Following the successful visit in April AP Driveline Technologies will be taking part in the IME Best Practice Visit programme on the 7th October 2008 and again on the 11th November due to popular demand.

This visit is suitable for decision makers, who have seen change fail to be sustained in the past and who no longer just want to give lean manufacturing / change management lip service. It is also suitable for anyone currently involved with lean manufacturing / change management that want to identify what to do next, and what approach to take.

 If you are interested in attending one of these visits or would like more information on the topics to be presented please contact please contact the IME team on 024 7623 6861 or email Michelle at mconnors@cad.coventry.ac.uk