June 16, 2015 News Industry Forum is delighted to have presented a cheque for £3,530, along with a selection of goods and gifts, to its chosen charity, Acorns Children’s Hospice. The funds and gifts were raised through activities of Industry Forum staff donating to events such as ‘Dress Down Friday’ and also donating their staff incentive scheme rewards. Established in 1988, Acorns Children’s Hospice Trust is a registered charity offering a network of care for life limited and life threatened children and young people, and their families, across the heart of England. These children and young people are not expected to reach adulthood and require specialist care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the last year Acorns has supported over 700 children and more than 1,050 families, including those who are bereaved. Acorns is the only organisation that provides this level of care to these vulnerable youngsters whilst offering a range of support services to the whole family to help them cope at every stage of their child’s life and beyond into bereavement. Acorns relies on the community to fund the majority of its activities. To learn more about Acorns, or how you can help support the charity, please visit the Acorn’s website.
June 11, 2015 News Industry Forum has launched its 2 day AS13000 8D Problem Solving training course. 8D Problem Solving is a structured approach following the 8 disciplines of: D0 – Implement Immediate Containment and Prepare for 8D D1 – Form the Team D2 – Define the Problem D3 – Develop Containment Actions D4 – Identify and Verify Root Causes D5 – Identify Corrective Action D6 – Implement Corrective Actions D7 – Define and Plan Preventive Action D8 – Recognize the Team The course is primarily aimed at those who will lead supplier 8D problem solving activities. It will help delegates develop the relevant skills and knowledge required for using this highly effective problem solving tool within their organisation. Following training delegates will be able to lead 8D problem solving activities, root causes of problems will be identified more easily and corrective and preventative actions implemented more quickly. Visit the webpage to learn more about the 8D Problem Solving course.
June 1, 2015 News Industry Forum has today launched it’s full range of APICS CPIM Supply Chain Management training courses, starting with The Basics of Supply Chain Management module running in September 2015 at the Industry Forum Learning Centre, Birmingham, UK. The APICS CPIM (Certified in Production and Inventory Management) programme focusses on an organisation’s internal operations taking an in-depth look at the production and inventory activities within the internal operations of a company providing a comprehensive view of materials management, master scheduling, forecasting, production planning and much more. To date, over 100,000+ professionals are CPIM certified. The APICS CPIM programme is divided into five process orientated topic areas to provide participants with the best possible educational assessment and knowledge base. Basics of Supply Chain Management The basic concepts in managing the complete flow of materials in a supply chain from suppliers to customers. Supply chain concepts are introduced and basic terminology emphasised, as are relationships among activities in the supply chain. Master Planning of Resources The topics of demand management, sales and operations planning and master scheduling are examined in-depth. Detailed Scheduling and Planning Inventory management, materials requirements planning, capacity requirements planning, procurement and supplier relationships. Execution and Control of Operations The principles, approaches and techniques needed to schedule, control, measure and evaluate the effectiveness of production operations. Strategic Management of Resources Strategic planning and implementation and a look at how market requirements drive the resources and processes of an organisation. If you would like to know more about the individual topics please visit the webpages on the Industry Forum website.
May 29, 2015 News For the second consecutive year Industry Forum is proudly sponsoring The Manufacturer MX Awards Supply Chain Excellence Award. The Award recognises UK companies that are making measurable progress towards realising a fully integrated network of supply chain partners that demonstrably reduce cost and increase efficiency. A panel of independent judges, drawn from industry, will look for an integrated supply chain strategy that embraces the whole business process, from raw materials or component procurement, through to customer delivery. Judges will also look for demonstration of innovative thinking and measures to improve business performance, and improvements in the efficiency of operations to achieve greater agility, profitability and customer responsiveness. Being shortlisted or winning an award puts you and your work in the spotlight – highlighting your success to colleagues, stakeholders, suppliers and customers. If you would like to enter your company as an entrant for the Supply Chain Excellence Award please visit The Manufacturer MX Awards website
April 7, 2015 News Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) and the Toyota Production System can transform business efficiency. But to get sustainable improvement, your culture and business processes must be right. In November 2015, SMMT IF hosts a maximum of 20 delegates in Japan, to experience and understand Best Practice first-hand. See how TPM improvement is achieved on the shop floor using effective autonomous maintenance Learn from and question Japan’s most experienced TPM experts Understand the roots and application of the Toyota Production System from the founders Return with proven strategies you can implement Share and compare ideas networking with senior industry peers Reappraise and benchmark your improvement journey to date Previous attendees included representatives from Jaguar LandRover, Perkins Engines, Owens Corning, John Crane, Philips, Sunseeker and many more. Save up to 20% on the delegate cost The price for the programme is £5,295 per delegate but if you book before 31st May 2015 you will receive a 10% discount. This discount is on top of the 10% discount already given if you are a SMMT member. To learn more about the programme and the benefits to your company and your development please visit the Best Practice Programme Webpages.
March 13, 2015 News Automotive Industrial Partnership On Starting Grid The future of the UK’s automotive industry was lined up on the starting grid at the House of Lords today – to mark a milestone moment in its industrial history. (Thursday March 12). The Automotive Industrial Partnership, which consists of many of the UK’s leading automotive manufacturers aims to drive growth, investment and revenues by securing skills for the future. Business Secretary Vince Cable announced the £30m initiative earlier this year (January 2015). Jo Lopes, Chair of the Automotive Industrial Partnership and Head of Technical Excellence at Jaguar Land Rover hailed the launch as an important moment in the history of the sector. “This is an exceptional moment for our sector. The Automotive Industrial Partnership brings together the sector’s employers to work collaboratively on an unprecedented scale.” “The unified effort – from all sides of the industry and government – will ensure that the automotive sector will thrive for generations to come.” “The UK’s automotive industry is one of the most successful in the world. We are achieving record growth, creating thousands of jobs and attracting major inward investment. Ensuring we have a pipeline of skills talent now and for the future is critically important to our continued success.” “The partnership will see large manufacturers working alongside SME supply chain employers to develop good practice that the entire industry will benefit from.” “We are aiming to inspire the next generation of vehicle makers and create new routes into automotive careers, as well as upskilling those that already work in the industry”. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “This investment puts our automotive sector in the driving seat to design the skills our manufacturing companies need. There is a risk that without adequate investment in skills, the industry will run into serious skills bottlenecks.” “Through our industrial strategy we are working in partnership with the automotive sector as it goes from strength to strength. We are providing businesses with the confidence to invest, and to create high skilled jobs.” Among the household names driving the partnership are; Bentley, BMW, Ford, GKN, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Toyota and Vauxhall. Not for profit employer led skills organisation Semta, industry trade association the SMMT working through the Automotive Council also support the Automotive Industrial Partnership in conjunction with the Industry Forum, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). Initiatives include: Supporting the development and roll out of robust and quality focussed new world class Apprenticeship Standards, with the development of Trailblazer Apprenticeships in seven key areas Piloting a range of programmes to attract more work ready new entrants to the sector, including giving 4,500 Year Six students an experience of working in the industry through a one day production simulation and taking on 960 11-16 year old Industrial Cadets, to develop vital industry skills in team working, communications and problem solving over a six day programme Providing a route to work for 19+ year olds, with a 15 day programme offering vocational training and simulated work activities designed by their potential future employers. Assessing functional and employability skills will lead to further work experience at a host company, helping young people with little or no workplace experience and vocational skills on a route to possible future apprenticeships Carrying out in depth research to establish automotive industry employers’ current and future skills needs Developing industry approved high quality learning and development solutions that are relevant to job roles across the whole industry Formally accrediting quality assured training organisations to deliver industry approved frameworks, qualifications and programmes Upskilling the existing workforce and re-training and recruitment initiatives to bring new talent to the industry, which will benefit large manufacturer and SME supply chain employers Attracting 10,000 apprentices and 2,000 graduates by 2018 The event, hosted by Baroness Wall of New Barnet, was addressed by Ian Green, Senior Controller, Global Training Centre, Nissan, Dr Simon Farrall BMW Group Head of Apprentice and Associate Training, Andrew Parsons, Section Manager, Technical Skills Development, Toyota Manufacturing (UK) Ltd, Dr Steve Maggs, Principal Teaching Fellow WMG, University of Warwick, Alexandre Cazals, Product Development Graduate, Jaguar Land Rover.
February 10, 2015 News Industry Forum is pleased to announce that it has now become an approved training provider for APICS supply chain and operations management qualifications. Chris Owen, Chief Executive, said “In gaining International Channel Partner status for APICS training, we are able to provide our clients with world-class training to support their aspirations in achieving supply chain excellence, innovation and improve resilience.” Industry Forum will be rolling out its range of APICS training courses over the following months. If you would like to be notified of our upcoming courses please email [email protected] Industry Forum Supply Chain Management Industry Forum Training Courses
January 6, 2015 News The TPM Excellence Awards process is now open until the end of January 2015 for the 2015 awards. To apply for an award download the 2015 Application Outline and the 2015 Application Form. If you would like to speak to someone about applying for the Excellence Awards please contact the TPM Assessment office +44 (0)121 717 6619 or email [email protected] Total Productive Maintenance The TPM Awards were established in 1964 in Japan, with the purpose of encouraging development of the manufacturing industry, factories which displayed remarkable achievement in plant maintenance. Approximately 3,000 plants received TPM Award in Japan and outside Japan over the years. TPM Awards is under the control of the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM). In 1989 the TPM Awards were refined to encompass the entire company from the shop floor to the executive boardroom, creating a true companywide commitment to production excellence. As a result, factories which have achieved company-wide efficiency by adopting company-wide TPM are presented with the award. SMMT Industry Forum Ltd is one of only six worldwide agencies for the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance, responsible for promoting the development and use of TPM globally. TPM Award Winners Are you thinking of applying for a TPM Excellence Award? Why not see how 10 organisations prepared for their TPM journey and the results that they subsequently enjoyed. Receive your copy of the TPM Award Winners document
December 8, 2014 News The IATF has established a work team consisting of IATF member organizations to develop a design specification for the revision of ISO/TS 16949 to align with the ISO 9001:2015 based structure and requirements. For further information please visit the IATF website – http://www.iatfglobaloversight.org/
September 12, 2014 News The big, the small, the innovative and the straight up efficient. All of these manufacturers and more have been included in The Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2014 shortlist officially released today (11th September 2014). Entries for this year’s awards came from far and wide with shortlisted businesses as diverse as cosmetic production through to aircraft engineering. The awards programme this year received a strong number of entries from highly respected names including Coca-Cola Enterprises, MBDA UK, McCain Foods (GB), Cummins Generator Technologies, as well as class-leading small and medium-sized companies, such as Croft Filters, Fracino, Xtrac and many more. In a show of resurging confidence in the sector, an increase of 25% in entries was received compared to last year’s awards, making the job for shortlisting even more difficult. View the complete shortlist here For further information and to book your table at this year’s event, visit: www.themanufacturer.com/awards Callum Bentley, editor of The Manufacturer said: “These finalists represent the versatility and strength which is present within UK manufacturing. This year has been a year of increased confidence in the sector and a confidence which we have been seeing personally on a day to day basis as we deal with individuals and companies around the UK. “With such an increase in entries from such a diverse group of manufacturers, this year’s event will no doubt be a worthy celebration of the brilliant effort UK companies are making to help re-establish the growing economy.” All finalists will now attend an intensive judging day at Aston Villa Football Club on October 7, to make face-to-face presentations to an independent judging panel. Those shortlisted in the World Class Manufacturing category will receive site visits by an industry panel as part of the process. The winners will be crowned at The ICC, Birmingham on November 27, where over 1,000 industry leaders will come together for a night of reward, recognition and celebration. The Manufacturer Director’s Conference 2014 As the flagship event The Manufacturer Directors’ Conference (TMDC) will focus on the drive for continued growth in the year ahead, addressing both the opportunity for innovation and investment that this will bring. High achieving leaders will impart their knowledge and give insight about how they plan to grow their business. This will be complemented by inspirational industry figures, key government members and leading academics who will discuss the trends and influences that are shaping the future of manufacturing. This year’s event will once again be held at Birmingham’s ICC on November 26-27. For more information or to register your attendance, visit the MDC website. Industry Forum sponsored Supply Chain Excellence Award Congratulations and good luck to the entrants in the Industry Forum sponsored Supply Chain Excellence Award category. They are: EGGER (UK) Encirc Preformed Line Products (GB) Selex ES Sheffield Forgemasters International Spectrum Brands (UK) – ‘Rayovac MicroPowder Batteries’
