Author Archives: Andrew Nicholson

About Andrew Nicholson

View my LinkedIn profile, http://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrnicholson

SMED Training Package

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SMED – Single Minute Exchange of Dies – is a well-established method used to reduce how long it takes to set-up or changeover your machinery.  Did you know that when applying SMED techniques for the first time it’s often possible to halve the time taken?  Just think what that could mean for your business.

Is this something you’ve implemented?  Or perhaps you’ve considered using SMED but aren’t sure how to go about it?  We’ve been working hard on putting together a SMED training package, with a 13 minute video demonstrating the SMED process, step-by-step, to help you get the benefits of set-up reduction.  We’ve also included Excel spreadsheet templates so you’ll have everything you need to get started.

The whole package is available to download at £16.95 plus VAT and we’re so convinced of its value for money that we’re offering a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.  Take a look at our SMED video webpage for more information.

Continuous Improvement workshop – 23 June 2009

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How often has your organisation started the drive to improve; and how often has it dwindled away?  During this workshop we will look at the necessity of good leadership and focus on developing Leadership skills at all levels of the organisation in order to sustain the momentum of an improvement initiative.  If this is a topic you’re interested in, take a look at the full details on our website.

You may not be able to attend this particular event, but the good news is we can run this – and other workshops – in-house for you for a minimum of 8 participants, giving you a more tailored event, addressing your own particular issues.  Contact us for further information.

Downloads available on Lean tools and techniques

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We’ve introduced a new section on our website, where we’re adding downloadable documents covering various aspects of Lean.  So far we’ve added information on CANDO / 5S and the Seven Wastes.  We aim to add regularly to the information which you can download, and will be adding a SMED information page soon.

Let us know if there’s a particular Lean topic you’d like covered and we’ll try to include it.

Inside Industry Vist to Analox, Stokesley, North Yorkshire

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Wednesday, 3 June, 9.00am to 12.30pm.

Analox Sensor Technology Ltd is hosting an Inside Industry visit, organised by MAS YH.  Analox is a company we have worked with for many years on its operational excellence programme, including developing employees’ skills in such improvement tools and techniques as Design for Manufacture, FMEA (Failure Mode and Effect Analysis), 5S / Workplace Organisation, Performance Monitoring, Process Layout, as well as helping to develop the Analox 5-year strategy for growth.  Based in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, the company specialises in the design and manufacture of gas sensors and analysers and currently employs 64 people.

If you’d like to see Analox in action, and hear the experiences of those who’ve undertaken improvement projects with us, call us on 0191 492 8200, or visit our website for more contact details.

75% Support for Yorkshire & Humber Manufacturers

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We’re pleased to advise that MAS YH are now offering 75% support to all manufacturers in Yorkshire & Humber for all new projects effective from 6 May.  This opportunity means that when you undertake an improvement project, for every £1.00 you commit, the government will commit £3.00.

As an approved MAS specialist, we have worked with many manufacturers in Yorkshire and the Humber on many varied projects:

  • process improvement, both back office and on the production line
  • developing employees’ skills in leadership, team working; performance management
  • engaging the workforce in improvement activities
  • training the workforce in lean techniques
  • improving the factory layout
  • restructuring
  • relocation
  • software systems
  • management systems (ISO9001, ISO14001)
  • developing a medium or long-term strategy

Typically, the companies we’ve worked with have benefited from:

  • reduced lead times
  • increased turnover
  • increased productivity
  • increased space utilisation
  • improved leadership skills at all levels
  • overall savings typically range from £25,000 to £500,000

There is no better time to go ahead with your MAS project than NOW.  Visit our website for more information on Lean Manufacturing and for our contact details.

VACANCY FILLED – Production Engineer, North Yorkshire

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RMS is looking to appoint a dynamic and talented individual as Production Engineer. RMS designs and manufactures specialist electrical connectors for use with Electrical Submersible Pumps used throughout the global oil industry.  The company is a subsidiary of James Fisher Group Plc.

The role is a largely hands-on position, reporting to the Production Manager.  The candidate must have skills/experience in mechanical design as well as knowledge of (or the ability to learn to use) CAD packages and it’s desirable to have good communication skills and good practical experience/knowledge.  It’s preferable for the candidate to hold an Honours degree in mechanical, production or similar engineering discipline.

THIS VACANCY HAS NOW BEEN FILLED

“Ask the Expert”, Business Surgery for South Durham Businesses

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We’re on the road again … to take part in “Ask the Expert”, a Business Surgery organised by the South Durham Business Network for organisations in South Durham.  The surgery is taking place on Tuesday, 28 April with representatives from a range of professional services from Accounting to Sales.  We’ll be offering advice on improvement activities you can implement in your business – simple, cost-effective techniques which you can take back to your organisation and put in place fairly easily, and will offer you quick results.  Sounds too good to be true … why not come along and have a chat with us?

The Business Surgery is being held at Spennymoor Town Hall, with sessions commencing at 3.00pm.  There’s more information on our website, www.nicholsonconsultancy.com.

A successful seminar, “Improving Business Efficiency”

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Thank you to everyone who attended our seminar at the North East Regional Business Fair and to those who came to visit our stand.

The seminar was well-attended with over 50 individuals, from both service and manufacturing sectors, interested  in “Improving Business Efficiency”.  Angela’s presentation was well-received, with good interaction during the “Questions and Answers” session.  She touched on the basic concept of “Lean” in the workplace; emphasised the importance of getting your staff on-board from the start of any improvement process; Angela then explained the definition of the Seven Visible Wastes, one of the tools we use to help identify where “waste” is occurring; and then finished with a demonstration of the “Ease and Effect” grid which helps you to plan the order improvements need to be made, once they’ve been identified.

If you’d like to have a copy of the presentation slides, just visit our website and complete the form.  It’s a quick and easy process.

Lean Manufacturing – High Quality, Low Cost, On-site Improvements

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Did you know that if you have a manufacturing plant in Yorkshire and Humber you are entitled to up to 2 projects per year of up to 10 days each, subsidised at a rate of 50%.That’s up to 20 days of in-house bespoke consultancy for only £300 per day.  Find out how you can take best advantage of this assistance by visiting www.nicholsonconsultancy.com, which gives examples of what can be achieved in just one day:

  • Lean workshop (Factory of the Future)
  • Workplace Organisation (5S)
  • Value Stream Mapping
  • Set-up Reduction