CERAM Advice Steers Midlands Company in the Right Direction

After seeking expert advice a Midlands Engineering company has not only experienced a £200,000 improvement in its manufacturing throughput, but also the enhanced manufacturing operation has resulted in the employment of eight new members of staff.

After receiving funding from the West Midlands Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS-WM), CERAM, the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology, undertook a detailed work study on behalf of Lynwood Engineering. The brief was to examine the full manufacturing operation of Lynwood, which re-manufactures engines and steering racks for the automotive industry, and CERAM conducted a detailed work study at Lynwood Engineering to gauge how much more productivity could be achieved at the site.

Initially, observing the problem area within the steering rack cell, CERAM video recorded and measured typical product journey cycles over 5 key stages of activity. Detailed analysis was conducted and recommendations made in regard to an accurate assessment of achievable outputs for Lynwood for a given period.

Keith Webb, managing director of Lynwood Engineering commented; “The project has added value to the business. We now have benchmark data from which we can confidently address operational issues and investigate continuous improvement techniques.”

CERAM's Nigel Longshaw added; “We have a lot of experience working with manufacturers in many industries, and we are often able to help companies like Lynwood which, by looking at the whole picture, can make changes that have very positive results for both its short and long term growth.”

[March 2006]