Features

Synchronised planning

Posted on 9 Sep 2010 by The Manufacturer
Simon Holloway defines modern Sales and Operational Planning, explains where it fits within an ERP system and discovers that it’s all about clever software being beautifully aligned with a company’s business goals.

Taking stock – Supply chain optimisation

Posted on 9 Sep 2010 by The Manufacturer
It may be the best £100 that Nicholl Food Packaging has ever spent. Or will ever spend, for that matter. At a stroke, the Cannock-based aluminium foil food container manufacturer — a supplier to companies such as Heinz, Danone, Unilever and Manor Bakeries — was able to eliminate huge swathes of expensive inventory. Malcolm Wheatley reports.

Diageo case study: Asset care makes strong case for internal ownership

Posted on 9 Sep 2010 by The Manufacturer
As one of the biggest names in the drinks sector, Diageo’s manufacturing network reaches across the globe. Four years ago, the company’s packing plant in Runcorn, Cheshire undertook an asset management audit with mixed results. Tim Brown discovers that the journey to world class manufacturing status was more closely linked to the management of systems and human assets than machines.

Pension apprehension

Posted on 9 Sep 2010 by The Manufacturer
Large firms’ pension funds were heavily depleted before the downturn reared its ugly head; recession has left them ravaged. In part 2 of a double-feature on company pension schemes, Mark Young explores what some companies are doing to plug the gaps.

Tough decisions

Posted on 9 Sep 2010 by The Manufacturer
Jane Gray talks to improvement and skills development specialists Kepner-Tregoe about the challenges of decision making and problem solving. How can companies gain confidence in these areas in the face of increasing organisational complexity?