Reigning winner of The Manufacturer of the Year Award, plant manager of New Holland Agriculture UK Colin Larkin, is moving from challenger to judge to bring his ample experience to the table for the TM Awards 2013.
Basildon-based New Holland Agriculture UK has entered The Manufacturer awards for the past three years.
In 2012, the tractor boys scooped the overall prize, The Manufacturer of the Year, as well as the World Class Manufacturing (WCM) award, in which the company was runner-up in 2011.
“After three years we learned how to follow the judging criteria and got a real handle of the process. We improved year on year and came back stronger each time. We entered in the first place to benchmark ourselves with other manufacturers. We knew where we were and wanted to see where others were,” says Mr Larkin.
Entries are submitted for the WCM category following the strict judging criteria and guidelines set out in the entry pack, scored by external experts on manufacturing operational excellence.
The top six entries are then visited by the judging team who assess the plant’s operations during the second round of judging.
This year, as a member of the judging panel, Colin is looking forward to putting something back into the process after years of entering.
And whether the company manufactures beer, chocolate or tractors, Larkin has one requirement at the top of his list.
“I am looking for the non-acceptance of waste, whether they really focus on reducing or eliminating it in the right way.”
“I am intolerant of waste, in whatever form. Whether it’s the lady disposing of food in the canteen or in my factory”. Entrants beware!
Peter Watkins, operational systems & business excellence director at GKN and Brendan Hindle, senior vice president for manufacturing improvement at Rolls-Royce, will join Colin to judge WCM. They will tour the UK conducting site assessment visits from October 7th to 9th.
WAIT!! There is still time to enter your company into this year’s awards.
Any manufacturer, large or small, in any sector can apply. With categories ranging from SME Manufacturer of the Year to Supply Chain Excellence and Apprentice of the Year, there are many opportunities to come away with a trophy that recognises your efforts in 2012/13.
The deadline for entries is Wednesday July 31. Visit www.themanufacturer.com/awards for full details.
If you are interested in entering please call Laura Williams on 01603 327006 or email [email protected] with any queries you may have.
