Over 150 manufacturers visited Jaguar Cars at Castle Bromwich on April 26 to hear about the Lean journeys of five blue chip companies – each with its own unique DNA and frank story to tell. At Ford’s leanest plant, they heard from lean practitioners from BAE Systems, Argos, Ginsters, Ricardo UK, Airbus UK and Jaguar itself. Among the presentations, ‘Done Leaning’, from Clive Simmons, told how BAE had been involved with lean initiatives with the likes of Boeing and Lockheed, and how efforts had been underpinned with a series of key metrics including FTP rate metrics, material availability, on time delivery, and quality indices all rolled up to provide an overall performance indicator.

For Formula One specialist Ricardo UK’s production manager John Davenport, the introduction of KPIs, team leader training and the deployment of cross functional lean improvement teams for targeted actions had made a discernible difference. Argos’ David Lloyd’s lean distribution story carried a health warning: that lean is not a project, but a way of life; not something extra to do, it is What you Do; that as a leader, you have to be all for it, or not for it, there is nowhere in the middle; that it must be management led and constantly driven; and that it is not for the impartial, there must be commitment, compliance does not work. Airbus UK’s Chris Tabor spelled out four elements essential to instigating change – the absence of any one of which could signal failure. There needed to be pressure to change, a clear shared vision, the capacity to change, and actionable first steps, he said.

Among the delegates were John Gray and Andy Corney from AB Electronic. “I found the day very interesting and thoroughly enjoyed the conference,” Gray said. “We will promote the lean thinking and practice at AB Electronic and we all expect to attend your future events.”

What people have said about our LEAN conferences in the past...

"Very informative in understanding LEAN from a practical perspective as opposed to theory based"
Manufacturing Manager, Bonar Yarns & Fabrics

"I have enjoyed the experience very much and learned much more about lean and what to encounter on the journey"
Operations Manager, QMP

"A good refuelling exercise - wish all my people could attend!"
Manufacturing Director, Paula Rose Kitchens

"Excellent presenters, consistency in content and a very worthwhile conference"
Operations manager, Airbus