Case Histories
MAS-WM moulds Malvern manufacturer’s success
The
Manufacturing Advisory Service – West Midlands has helped a Malvern
manufacturer to improve production and reduce waste in just six weeks.
Working in partnership with Telford-based Polymer Training, MAS-WM has put Wyvern Mouldings on the right road to attaining ISO9001/2002 accreditation as well as improving efficiency and working methods.
The manufacturer has benefited from on-going consultancy to improve machine utilisation, reduce waste and troubleshoot problems. Employees have also received in-house training.
Wyvern Mouldings’ chairman Patrick Jones said: “We’ve been in business 26 years and from the start we have worked in a certain way.
“Inevitably this induces habits that are passed on from person to person and ideas can become old fashioned. The moulding machines of today require different techniques and our team is enthusiastic and open minded enough to take advantage of the new ideas Polymer Training has introduced and to new approaches.”
The relationship between Polymer Training and the Worcestershire manufacturer started with a chance event during a visit by Polymer consultant Andy Baker to Wyvern Moulding’s chairman Patrick Jones. During the meeting, workshop manager Pete Daffin interrupted to inform the chairman of an issue he faced with a ball housing mould.
Andy immediately pitched in by diagnosing a distortion issue and suggesting a solution. Impressed by his work, Patrick was able to work more closely with Andy with funding from MAS-WM.
Patrick explained:
“We were undergoing an audit for ISO 9001/2000 approval which required much more information than previous 1994 system. We had all the information stored and Andy showed us how we could make use of it in terms of machine utilisation, material usage and methods to reduce scrap and downtime. All of this has made us more efficient.
“In just six weeks there has been less sinking on the mouldings, the machines are running better, and it’s looking really good. There’s less waste and production is quicker - a real benefit to me, the company and our customers.”
Commenting on behalf of Polymer Training, Andy Baker said:
“Being registered with the DTI MAS as a Centre of Expertise in Manufacturing allows us to fund projects for smaller companies who have found services such as ours essential, but inaccessible due to price or paperwork. The mountain of paperwork that’s traditionally involved before undertaking a project has put a lot of companies off in the past but the MAS model puts it into one small document which is very easy to fill in and understand. Essentially it takes away the red tape.”
MAS-WM chief executive David Wright said: “This is a fantastic example of how a company can benefit from having external expertise 'in at the coal face' to influence the thinking and approach of existing staff to process improvement.”
To find out how MAS-WM can help your business call 0845 245 0845 or visit www.mas-wm.org.
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