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Improving manufacturing productivity through flow management

The Productivity Through Innovation project is offering a series of in-person workshops and business-specific consultancy on improving productivity through flow management.

This support is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is at no cost to eligible SMEs.

ERDF logo

The offer

Manufacturing in a factory

The programme of support is specifically designed for the manufacturing industry, this exclusive package will enable participating businesses to directly improve their operational processes and make efficiency savings (cost/time) in their business. This programme of support, delivered by NTU experienced manufacturing experts Dr Aquila Yeong and Dr Roy Stratton.

The programme will start in September 2022 and participating business will benefit from:

  • 4 x deep dive, practical workshops that will enable businesses to produce a focussed map of the main process flow and identify opportunities for improvement
  • Site visits to two of the participating companies
  • Peer to peer learning
  • One to one consultancy from NTU experts in Operations Management
  • A bespoke recommendations report with directions and solutions
  • A copy of The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt.

The programme is suitable for Operations Managers or similar roles within manufacturing SMEs based in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire.

Programme dates and content

SupportWhenLocationContent
Workshop 1: Focused productivity improvement21 September 2022, 10 am - 1 pmNTU
  • Improving flow - a proxy for improving productivity
  • Value-focused measurements
  • 5 steps of focusing
  • Mapping the process.
  • Activity: Producing a focus process map of the main process flow.
Workshop 2: Controlling and improving flowOctober 2022Client to host group workshop
  • Review of application of session 1
  • 4 flow principles
  • Dynamics of flow
  • Mechanisms to enable flow (Kanban, drum, buffer rope (DBR), simplified drum, buffer, rope (SDBR), etc.
  • Buffer management
  • Activity: Identifying your current mechanism.
Client visits (one-to-one)October and November 2022Client site
  • NTU experts to take a more focused look at your facilities to support the final recommendations report.
Workshop 3: The underlying causeNovember 2022Client to host group workshop
  • Review of application of session 2
  • Making a change
  • Conflict between flow and local efficiency.
  • Activity: Identify undesired effects (UDEs) and core conflicts and how they are linked to local efficiency and cost
Workshop 4: Making a change12 January 2023, 10 am - 1 pmNTU
  • Review of application of session 3, presenting findings and insights
  • Managing the change process
  • Injections leading to future reality
  • Layers of resistance
  • Generic strategy and tactics solutions
Bespoke reportJanuary 2023N/A

Production of final report, including:

  • Product classification
  • Outline process map
  • Communication Current Reality Tree
  • Conflict/direction of solution
  • Next steps

A summary report with recommendations will be provided to each participating SME.

Who is eligible for support?

  • SMEs based in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
  • Maximum 250 employees
  • An annual turnover under EUR 50 million or annual balance sheet less than EUR 43 million.

If you do not meet the above criteria or are unsure, please contact us regardless as we may be able to signpost you to other support available.

To enquire or sign up for the full support

We have capacity to support 6 SMEs on this fully funded (no cost) programme.

To enquire about signing up for the support, please email dave.shipley@ntu.ac.uk, or call on 0115 84 84472.