Case Study
Client: Seaward Electronic Ltd.
Industry: Manufacturing of Test Equipment
Project Title: Enhancing Excellence in Operations
Disciplines: Operational Excellence Assessment, Tactical Project Delivery, Lean Six Sigma Training
The challenge and objective
Seaward design and manufacture world-class electronic test equipment and have developed a strong order book from an expanding customer base.
Having made some significant tactical improvements in operations, the leadership team recognised the timing was right to identify and address some remaining inefficiencies and conflicting priorities and set the company up for an even brighter future. It was very important that this was to be done ‘with’, not ‘to’, individuals at all levels within the operations team.
The objective was to define and launch a programme of activity which brought Continuous Improvement to life by getting the operations team, at all levels, equipped and willing to identify and solve problems.
The solution delivered
Initially the existing operation was benchmarked against established criteria for Operational Excellence using a rapid assessment tool. From this, a detailed plan was developed comprising priority activities in the following categories: Early wins, tactical improvements, CI cultural development, strategic alignment.
Thereafter, over a period of around 4 months, we worked hand-in-hand with the team to put into action the priorities agreed, providing practical hands-on guidance and support to show how ‘textbook theory’ should be applied in the context of the organisation.
This activity was complemented through the provision of training in Practical Problem Solving methodology (to BQF Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt standard) to several team members from several operations teams and supporting functions.
Testimonial
Chris Callan, CEO, Seaward Electronic Ltd
“Prodelex (James Aherne) was engaged to help get all grades within the Operations Teams involved in continuous improvement to progress our journey towards reduced lead times and ultimately shift our customers from being ‘pleased’ to being ‘delighted’.
James was able to quickly identify an appropriate course of action and then gelled with the team working hand-in-hand to drive the outcomes we wanted.”