Manufacturers Group Meeting
26th February 2013, 5.30 - 7.30 pm
Location: Indespension Ltd, Paragon Business Park, Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 6HG
The Guest Speakers for this month will be:
Ann Schenk, Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. Ann will be providing us with an exploration of how health services in Bolton have learned from lean practices elsewhere, inside and outside healthcare, to build a comprehensive system of improvement. She will talk about the benefits to patients, staff and the organisation and about current challenges. For those of you on the ‘lean journey’ this is one not to be missed.
Phil Brown, Futurestate Solutions. This session will be titled ‘FIGHTING FIT’ addressing not only product developments but whatever you want to do in business that is new or different. Phil will be providing an insight into ‘Why do Development and Manufacturing fight’? He will also be exploring Product Development and the need to change to survive. At the end of this session you will understand how to structure the FIGHT so that you get the best FIT.
Phil has a Degree in Theoretical Physics and has 29 years experience with Philips Electronics. He was European Quality Manager based in the Netherlands, implementing the Philips BEST approach to total quality across fifteen European sites. Reduced European field defect rates from 5,500 to 750 parts per million serving a European and Asian customer base. New Product Introduction Manager project managing design, development and start up of new product globally. MD of Philips Blackburn – Winner of Britain’s Best Factory Award for World Class Manufacturing in June 2006 based on excellent implementation of lean and six sigma and productivity improvements of 47% in two years.
Meeting Format:
· We don’t follow the format of other networking groups with a 1 minute pitch or pressure people for referrals.
· We drink tea & coffee and eat good old Pie & Peas while chatting informally.
· We are very friendly and open about improvements we have implemented; funding we have utilized, new technologies, useful suppliers and other benefits, such as, referrals to new clients that will help other attendees increase their bottom line and grow their businesses.
· We make a difference by supporting local charities.
· We are currently a combination of around 40 local manufacturing businesses, which is growing rapidly month on month.
There is a £15 entry fee which is donated to a local charity each month. This month we have Robbie from Remedy Arts, a local charity engaging with young people to reduce unemployment issues via creative arts. Remedy Arts uses music, media & dance to reach out to the young people of Bolton and works mainly in struggling communities. I am sure Robbie will have something up his sleeve to keep us entertained.
If you would like to come along to the Manufacturers Group please contact us to arrange a guest pass. Remember you need to be a manufacturer to attend and we do not allow people to turn up on the night without prior arrangement.