Best Factories Case Studies
The six case studies presented below provide examples of the approach manufacturers have adopted in order to improve performance and become more competitive.
Bowers & Wilkins Loudspeakers
Five years ago the premier manufacturer Bowers and Wilkins faced increased demand for its products. The introduction of lean manufacturing helped me to meet this challenge and also drove continuous improvement through the business.
Coors Brewery Ltd, Alton Brewery
Fifteen years ago Coors? Alton Brewery was among the poorest performers in its group. By setting out clear objectives, and allowing the workforce a big say in how those objectives were reached, the brewery has renewed itself.
Ginsters Ltd
The Cornish Savoury food maker has used a combination of people development and automation to double production and increase margins.
Reckitt Benckiser
In 2000 Reckitt Benckiser?s Derby household-products factory looked likely to close. Today it holds its own in one of manufacturing?s most furiously competitive markets
Sabanci UK Ltd
Five years ago Sabanci?s Teeside chemicals plants were under-performing. Now, after some capital expenditure and improvement in procedures, systems and working practices, these world-class plants export to China.
Stannah Stairlifts Ltd
When Stannah Stairlifts saw signs of declining profits it acted decisively. Now its quality, cost and delivery are world beating. And return on sales, once in free fall, is climbing.
All six case studies were researched and written by Dr Marek Szwejczewski and John Dwyer. The photographs of the factories were taken by John Dwyer, except for the one in the Sabanci case study.
The authors would like to thank the Department of Trade and Industry for their support.