Inside information is the key to success...

Companies in the region are being offered first-hand experience of how others in the market are maximising their resources in a bid to remain competitive, through a series of best practice visits.

Since 2003 the Inside Manufacturing Enterprise (IME) programme has been successfully guiding companies on their Best Practice journey within the West Midlands.

IME offers companies the opportunity to take an in depth look at others who have excelled in areas such as lean manufacturing, dealing with competition from the far east, environmental issues, continuous improvement, supply chain issues, automation in manufacturing, team working, people issues and many more.

Michelle Connors, IME Project Officer: “Learning from others and knowledge transfer is one of the very best ways to ensure that companies in the region remain a sustainable entity in today’s changing and challenging environment.”

Host companies vary in size from small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to global market leaders. Topics looked at include successful strategies and processes that all delegates can benefit regardless of their industry.

Each Best Practice visit offers in depth presentations on two specific topic areas, a full site tour, a question and answer session as well excellent networking opportunities.

Visits last approximately half a day and cost £25 per delegate. They are part of a range of offerings from the Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands (MAS-WM).

Inside Manufacturing Enterprise (IME) visits for Spring 2009 include:

Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd Tuesday 21st April 2009

Topic: Manufacturing Competitively in the UK through Continuous Investment-the Mazak Perspective

This visit focuses on the Mazak Perspective of Manufacturing Competitively in the UK through Continuous Investment. Mazak has a policy of continuously investing in its factories worldwide. Delegates will be able to see how Mazak uses its own technology in conjunction with a highly skilled but flexible workforce to enable it to successfully compete in an extremely competitive but cyclical market.

Precision Micro Ltd- Tuesday 12th May 2009

Topics: Rapid Prototyping with Mass Flexibility & Continuous Improvement & Future Development

This visit will illustrate how a 40 year manufacturing facility has adapted to its customers requirements by highlighting and redesigning its processes to optimise efficiencies and capabilities. Delegates will learn some of the problems encountered and how Precision Micro are investing in both their staff and continuous improvement programmes to develop a structured methodology to enable further future growth.

ZF Lemforder UK Limited- Thursday 21st May 2009

Topics: Kaizen Blitz & Kanban Trains

This visit is suitable for decision makers want to see lean manufacturing starting to succeed and for anyone involved with Lean Manufacturing. Delegates will have the opportunity to learn more about the range of approaches ZF use to achieve Continuous Improvement as well as learning more about their strategy to improve the flow of material throughout their facility. You will be able to see first-hand the benefits of using Kanban trains and also their focus on using their SAP planning system to provide "live" data.

Further Information:

For a full list of IME visits, to book a place on the above visits or find out more information please contact the IME team on 024 7623 6861 or email Michelle Connors at mconnors@cad.coventry.ac.uk