Finance, Cost and Input Prices

The current economic climate is putting increasing pressure on all businesses to cut costs and manage their finances much more stringently. Manufacturing is no different. Manufacturing input prices (energy, raw materials, transport) have increased at a further rate this year than at any time on record.

In an industry beset by increasing pressure from international competition, environmental concern and a skills gap, cutting costs and managing finances is one sure-fire way to address these issues.

Sustainable Manufacturing

With environmental issues high in the consumer consciousness, there is increasing pressure on all businesses to reduce their impact on the planet. With the manufacturing industry one of the highest users of raw materials such as oil, gas and water, it has come under more scrutiny than most to change the way it works.

Consumers are looking at the green agendas of many of their suppliers and making purchase decisions based on those very plans – so to stay in business you need to be green.

This stream will encompass all aspects of green manufacturing and how others have utilised green within their operations. Topics will include:

• Environmental legislation – how to prepare for and deal with environmental legislation
• Ethical Business - with green manufacturing hype, it has become apparent that more and more organisations are needing to look at ways to run an “ethical” business and not just in green issues
• Sustainable Production – ensuring the longevity of your organisation with sustainable production techniques

Your People

Manufacturing is not just robotics and machines – even on the plant floor. People underpin all areas of the business and their management is vital to the safe and efficient running of a manufacturing operation. Extensive research with mid – senior level management in Manufacturing companies has shown us that people skills/leadership/change management skills are the key subjects that they need assistance with.

Learn how to stimulate staff, ensure they are motivated and involved enough in the vision of the business – right through to the lowest ranking worker on the production floor.

This stream will encompass:

• Culture and Change Management – ensure every employee “buys into” the strategic direction of the company
• Workforce motivation – less sick days, happy, safe and motivated workers
• University and Manufacturing collaboration – how Tony Salt of Swizzels Matlow has collaborated with his local higher education facility to ensure skills and training is available to everyone within the Manufacturing industry in his local area.
• Multi-Skilled workers – increase the efficiency of your workforce with multi-skilled factory workers

Production Strategies

In order to compete in the competitive world of manufacturing, production strategies need to constantly be updated and new and innovative ways of streamlining the production timelines and costs.

This stream will include topics such as:

• Lean Manufacturing – latest updates and case studies in the world of Lean
• Driving Improvements through the supplychain into the 21st Century – learn how ensure the efficiency of your supply chain in the global arena with industry leading case studies
• Product Development Streamlining – ensure your product gets to market before your competitors
• Rapid prototyping techniques for competitive advantage, cost eradication and sustainability – how to utilise Rapid Manufacturing techniques to get the most out of your business