17th July 2014

PP Electrical Systems gives insight into ‘lean manufacturing’ for Best Factory visit

Practical lean implementation was on the agenda when PP Electrical Systems hosted a ‘Works Management Magazine’ best practice visit.

A cross section of manufacturers from across the UK and Northern Ireland spent a day at the company’s world class facility in Cheslyn Hay and heard how training can help develop culture and sustainable continuous improvement.

David Fox, Chairman & CEO, explained: “It’s important that we share best practice and knowledge to enhance UK manufacturing and I think all of the delegates got something out of it.

“We talked about the importance of marrying investment in automation with ensuring employees have access to new learning opportunities. For example, all of our staff benefit from a minimum of 200 hours training per year.

“Too often we hear ‘why invest so much in people when they could leave you’ and my response is simple…what if you don’t train them and they stay?”

He added: “You only have to look at both the skills gap facing manufacturers as well as the appalling slide of the UK in terms of competence and productivity when compared to our oversea competitors – something has to be done.

“The visit, organised as part of a tour of previous ‘Best Factory Award’ winners, also give us the opportunity to meet new companies and people, connections that can prove vital in the future.”
PP Electrical Systems has won seven Best Factory Awards in recent years, including Overall Best Factory in the UK.

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