Aerospace firms asked to become more productive

Companies visiting the UK's Farnborough Air Show will be asked to use DTI Manufacturing Advisory Service's assistance to become more productive in today's globally competitive industry.
The UK's DTI manufacturing advisory service (MAS) has launched a campaign to encourage manufacturers working within the aerospace supply chain industry to take advantage of the wide range of benefits the service has to offer. MAS is asking companies visiting the UK's Farnborough Air Show to utilise MAS assistance to adopt more efficient techniques and become more productive in today's globally competitive industry. Along with a stand highlighting the range of support that is available, MAS is taking part in the Air Show's Youth International Day and will be explaining the techniques behind aerospace engineering to an audience of over 1000 15-24 year olds.

The MAS 'Mars Express' event hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers by inviting visitors to place an egg in the hold of a rocket and launch it without breaking the egg - it may sound easy but unless wrapped in the right materials, the egg will be scrambled! Since its inception in 2002, MAS has had an unprecedented impact upon the manufacturing community in the UK, and generated over GBP 224 million in added value for businesses.

Aerospace companies such as Bulwell Precision Engineers in Nottinghamshire, a world leader in the manufacture of machined parts and assemblies, have already utilised the help available to them through MAS in order to keep up with global competition.

However, there remain many suppliers to the aerospace industry not taking advantage of the help on offer to them, much of which is delivered completely free of charge to SMEs.

Most manufacturers need only make very simple and straight forward changes in order to make a real difference to their bottom line.

Bulwell approached MAS in the East Midlands to help increase turnover and efficiency and boost productivity in the aftermath of 9/11.

As a supplier to Rolls-Royce and Airbus, the company wanted to find new ways of delivering its customers a better, more cost-effective product.

MAS worked with Bulwell Precision Engineers to introduce value stream mapping, 5S and visual controls.

Managing director Simon Beech joined Bulwell five years ago: 'Like many aerospace companies we suffered in the aftermath of 9/11 and have slowly built our business back up over the last five years.' He said: 'I brought MAS into our business to look at reducing our waste and apply the principles of lean manufacturing.

They provided us with good quality people who introduced business techniques that have allowed us to increase turnover and efficiency increase by up to 30%.' Beech was so impressed with the help provided by MAS that he recently came on board as a MAS Ambassador to champion the service amongst other aerospace manufacturers in the East Midlands and UK.

MAS operates through 10 regional centres in England and Wales so offers a flexible and adaptable service that is tailored a company's local needs.

Each of these centres have a team of highly experienced specialists with manufacturing backgrounds to help companies utilise more efficient processes, develop longer term strategies and new products and improve ways of using software, materials and workspace.