Two Northwest companies win the coveted Shingo Prize Bronze Medallion for Operational Excellence

June 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Demonstrating the expertise of modern manufacturing in the region, two North West companies, BAE Systems and Ultraframe UK Ltd, have been awarded the Shingo Prize Bronze Medallion for Operational Excellence at the annual awards held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Administered in the UK and Ireland by the Manufacturing Institute, the Shingo Prize - dubbed the “Nobel Prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week magazine - is an internationally respected award that recognises operational excellence and improvement through effective management.

BAE Systems Samlesbury, in Lancashire, is an aerospace manufacturer with a strong tradition of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence in the industry, employing 4,600 people and instituting lean practices. The site is home to some of the most advanced aerospace manufacturing and assembly technologies in the world, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, the most advanced swing-role aircraft in the world, and the F35-Lightning II, the largest contract of its kind in the world. Lean techniques have lead to a 76 percent reduction in the cost of scrap, and a 43 percent reduction in accidents.

Ultraframe, also based in Lancashire, are a conservatory manufacturer employing 270 people. The company is at the forefront of technology and design in the development of domestic conservatory and conservatory roofing systems in the UK. Through implementing lean principles, it has increased productivity by 36 percent, decreased accidents by 93 percent and improved profitability by 75 percent, despite the economic downturn.

Mike Price, Chief Executive of Ultraframe commented: “I was delighted to have the opportunity of attending the Shingo Conference in Salt Lake City and receiving the Bronze Medallion on behalf of Ultraframe. I am proud of the improvements that the team has delivered over the past five years, and it’s great to receive the external recognition that we have achieved world-class standards. Based on the feedback, we have already started work in a number of areas to become even better!”

Located in Northwest England, both companies elicit strong local support to help them achieve outstanding operational results. For example, the Manufacturing Institute’s Manufacturing Advisory Service in the Northwest provides free and low cost consulting for manufacturers. The Institute also works with school children, through a program of highly-regarded, region-wide school initiatives and competitions such as Make It, to inspire and engage with the region’s manufacturing workers of the future.  

Robert Miller, Executive Director, Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, USA, said: “These two businesses are shining examples of excellence that truly understand the principles of lean transformation and are applying it to all their business processes. The empowerment of their people and the culture of continuous improvement they both demonstrate is particularly impressive.”
Representing the Manufacturing Institute at the award ceremony, Adam Buckley, Head of Programmes, at the Manufacturing Institute and who attended the ceremony said:

“The North West, as the UK’s largest manufacturer, continues to see levels of growth that continue to impress. We have some great companies in the region producing innovative and world-class products that are in demand across the world.

“It is no surprise that the North West has produced two Shingo Prize winners.”

Notes to Editors

The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is named after Japanese industrial engineer Shigeo Shingo who distinguished himself as one of the world’s leading experts in improving manufacturing processes. Dr. Shingo has been described as an “engineering genius” who helped create and write about many aspects of the revolutionary manufacturing practices which comprise the renowned Toyota Production System. The Prize was established in 1988 to promote awareness of Lean manufacturing concepts and recognise companies that achieve world-class manufacturing status. The Shingo Prize in the UK and Ireland is administered by the Manufacturing Institute www.shingoprize.co.uk

The Manufacturing Institute
The Manufacturing Institute (www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk) is an independent charity - driven by manufacturers for manufacturers. For 15 years The Manufacturing Institute has helped transform manufacturing performance, working with over 4000 companies to gain competitive advantage from high impact skills building and productivity improvement programmes. http://www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk.

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Small and medium size North West manufacturers have access to a fully or part-funded manufacturing review to review to assess existing working processes and identify the best areas for improvement.