Latest News from IOMNet.org.uk

Continuing uncertainty ''affecting UK manufacturing confidence''

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:01:00 GMT

Optimism among the UK's small and medium-sized manufacturers is being affected by global economic uncertainty, it has been claimed.

According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), firms in the industry are concerned about the political climate as well, causing a decline in sentiment for the third quarter in a row.

The organisation's most recent SME Trends Survey showed that over the three months to January, both domestic and export orders dropped sharply and output showed little change, the first time it has not increased since April 2010.

Manufacturing management professionals are advised that 33 per cent of businesses predicted the current economic and political climate, including the ongoing eurozone crisis, will have a dampening effect on export orders over the next quarter.

"While figures for the next three months point to some stabilisation, the manufacturing sector is still facing significant headwinds, which can only add to existing uncertainty over demand and growth," declared chair of the CBI's SME Council Lucy Armstrong.

However, there are some signs of improvement in the UK manufacturing sector as the Markit and CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index for January climbed from 49.7 in December to 52.1, indicating the expansion of activity in the industry over the month.

UK service sector rallies in January with new orders rise

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:24:00 GMT

An increase in new orders pushed up the UK's service sector activity last month, new figures show.

In news that may assist with operations management planning, the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industry revealed that January saw the "single largest monthly improvement in business optimism", taking the measure to its highest point since March 2011 as the industry rallied.

"This rise in business optimism fuelled the largest increase in employment for nearly four years, adding to hopes that this upturn may prove to be more than a flash in the pan," stated Markit chief economist Chris Williamson, adding a note of caution that "much uncertainty persists".

He was pointing to an increase in employment within the services sector at the sharpest rate in just under four years, as well as growth in new work recorded by the CIPS and Markit UK services PMI.

Input cost inflation also fell back during January to its lowest point in 14 months and business confidence jumped at the highest amount ever in a single month.

The overall global PMI for services from Markit and JPMorgan recently showed that sector growth leapt to an 11-month high last month.

UK manufacturing activity reaches 8-month high

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:24:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing sector has started the year well with a climb in output at the fastest pace since March 2011.

January 2012 saw the industry's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) jump to 52.1, up from 49.7 in December 2011 and the highest level in ten months.

According to the figures from Markit and the CIPS, employment stabilised, output stood at a ten-month high and new orders increased for the first time in the past seven months.

In addition to the rise in production, there was decline in input costs for manufacturers last month at the sharpest rate since the middle of 2009, marking the third consecutive drop in the measure.

"Manufacturing was a key area of weakness which caused the UK economy to contract in the final quarter, so this surprising rebound in January means a return to recession is by no means a certainty," stated senior Markit economist Rob Dobson.

In further data from Markit, the eurozone has shown signs of improving, with Germany and Austria witnessing signs of recovery and Spain, Italy and the Netherlands all seeing an easing of downturns.

Manufacturing expert highlights benefits of lean strategies

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:18:00 GMT

Lean processing can benefit firms in the UK's manufacturing industry, according to one expert.

Head of programmes at The Manufacturing Institute Adam Buckley stated that such operations management techniques can help businesses to become more competitive, giving the flexibility over pricing and creating more effective services.

He advocated that companies "develop high performance teams with a focus on driving out waste and creating customer value" in order to boost customer service, productivity, lead times, stock turns, quality and innovation.

Mr Buckley highlighted the importance of involving staff in such processes and noted that areas in which waste can be reduced include "transport, moving, waiting, space and physical waste".

He also pointed to the particular need for lean strategies in the current economic climate in order to make processes more efficient, free up capital and reduce internal costs.

The UK's manufacturing industry is being affected by a contraction in levels of demand from Europe as a result of economic uncertainty in the region, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, which could prompt firms to investigate methods of enhancing efficiency and productivity in order to reduce costs.

Paragon employs operations management to enhance customer service

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:42:00 GMT

An operations management strategy has been adopted by one company seeking ways to enhance customer service and boost satisfaction rates.

Paragon has announced it is embracing the principles of continuous improvement across its operations to improve the standard of its products, enhance efficiency rates and work towards a zero target for defects.

The use of Total Quality Management (TQM) policies by the fleet management and vehicle processing specialist means it is aiming to ensure that in each case, service exceeds customer requirements, with Quality Assurance established to provide data about errors that can be corrected.

"Setting the high standards of the TQM process will not only help ensure quality for our customers, but also cost and production efficiency for Paragon," declared group operations director Steve Stanger.

Another firm that is embracing TQM is Ireland-based waste management company City Bin, with its founder Gene Browne recently telling the Irish Times that modern business tools have substantially improved its operations.

Economic uncertainty ''affecting global electronic contract market''

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:44:00 GMT

Businesses in the electronics contract manufacturing industry may want to employ operations management strategies to enhance the efficiency of their operations.

This is because new data from IHS iSuppli revealed total revenue is expected to decline in the sector from $360 billion in 2011 to $357 billion this year, representing a decline of just below one per cent after 4.7 per cent expansion last year.

According to the report, both the original development manufacturing and electronic manufacturing services segments are expected to struggle in 2012, as the impact of the continuing financial uncertainty in the eurozone.

"On a positive note, the continuing popularity among consumers of devices like smartphones and tablets means contract manufacturing in these areas can be expected to help compensate for slow growth elsewhere in the industry," the organisation concluded.

The IHS iSuppli figures come after the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) warned that UK manufacturers experienced a decline in sentiment during the past quarter.

Stagnant output over the period affected confidence in the sector, the CBI reported, although there were predictions of slight growth in exports and new orders over the next three months.

Turbulence in Europe ''holding back production''

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 15:04:00 GMT

A recent EEF survey of people in manufacturing management roles show they remain positive about the coming year despite the production sector struggling to cope with Europe's turbulent economic position.

However, EEF chief economist Lee Hopley said difficult market conditions in the continent are now affecting production as well as consumer confidence amid concerns over a panEuropean economic depression.

"While there is little sign that this uncertainty will come to an end any time soon, we can take some heart that output appears to have begun growing again in December," Ms Hopley explained.

Recently published data from the Office of National Statistics bear out Ms Hopley's concern over production and consumer sentiment.

Output of the production industries decreased by 1.2 per cent in Q4 2011, compared with an increase of 0.2 per cent in the previous quarter.

Overall the chained volume measure of GDP decreased by 0.2 per cent in the fourth quarter.

AMOLED TV sector ''facing manufacturing and supply chain challenges''

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:37:00 GMT

Manufacturing management issues and expensive materials are likely to delay the global rollout of active matrix organic light emitting diode (AMOLED) televisions, despite the fact that they are being displayed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

Although shipments are expected to rise to 2.1 million units by 2015, this will still just represent one per cent of the global flat-panel market.

The hi-def television uses less than a third of the power needed to run a conventional liquid crystal display flatscreen.

Vinita Jakhanwal, director of small/medium and OLED displays at IHS, said: "Prices will remain dramatically higher than those of LCD TVs during the next few years because of manufacturing yield issues."

Despite the superior viewing experience they offer they are still too expensive to enter the mainstream consumer market, he added.

This comes as the Markit/CIPS UK manufacturing index found British manufacturing stagnating in December, with levels of output and numbers of new orders falling more steeply than they have since 2009.

Operations management boosts Smurfit Kappa performance score

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:17:00 GMT

Smurfit Kappa's operations management procedures have helped the packaging supplier achieve an impressive score in an independent review of its workplace conditions.

The company achieved a rating of 99 per cent against the Workplace Performance Index in the assessment, which was conducted at its Stalybridge facility. This score was the highest awarded by the auditor in his 40-year history.

It surpassed the national average by 13 per cent and was 22 percentage points stronger than the worldwide figure, reports Environment Industry Magazine.

John Taylor, health, safety and environmental manager based at Smurfit Kappa Stalybridge, said the high level of compliance ensures its pan-European customers "can be confident their procurement processes do not undermine the strong social and ethical positions required of today's leading brands".

The news comes in the same week that County Durham housing provider livin was awarded silver status in the Investors in People framework. Just two per cent of recognised companies in the UK have achieved this grade.

Could ageing workforce affect quality and operations management?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Operations management in the manufacturing sector could be affected by the ageing male workforce.

According to JAM Recruitment, three-quarters of quality engineers are men and a third of these have more than 21 years of experience, reports Works Management.

While JAM claimed this bias is not currently harmful to the sector, it warned a "retirement time bomb" will be faced unless steps are taken to address the issue.

Lee Cartney, manager of the quality and manufacturing team at JAM, said the existing workforce is ageing without being sufficiently replenished.

He added: "As our economy moves towards recovery, quality engineering professionals will become increasingly important to the UK's manufacturing sector, but the question is, will there be enough talent to go round?"

Earlier this month, manufacturing organisation EEF revealed 49 per cent of executives in the sector believe economic conditions in the UK will be worse this year than in 2011, while just 21 per cent think they will be better.

Could ageing workforce affect quality and operations management?

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:15:00 GMT

Concerns raised over engineering skills threat

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:40:00 GMT

A series of fears have been raised by industry experts about the future of engineering skills in Britain.

In a letter addressed to the Daily Telegraph, 16 companies that are reliant on such talents warned that the government needs to take action to ensure technical training is available to young people.

This could include operations training courses and qualifications such as a CPIM exam, with the firms insisting that efforts are required to make careers in manufacturing and engineering more attractive.

Institution of Engineering and Technology president Mike Short wrote it is "widely recognised as a significant route to providing the crucial technical and practical skills that young people will need to build a Britain that can compete effectively and internationally".

Businesses backing the communication included Siemens, Sony, Boeing, JCB and Toshiba, with senior executives claiming to be "surprised and stunned" at proposals that the Engineering Diploma, introduced in 2008, is downgraded from being worth five GCSEs to one.

The letter follows a call by the Trades Union Congress for the UK to adopt a similar approach to manufacturing to Germany and prioritise medium-sized companies in order to rebalance the economy and provide greater support for industry.

Indian firm invests in operations management to boost quality

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:24:00 GMT

A company in India has employed operations management techniques to enhance quality across its operations.

This includes automobile specialist Maruti Suzuki's two plants in Gurgaon and Manesar, as well as its 220-plus suppliers, with involvement being prioritised over inspection in a bid to identify problems at the source, the Economic Times reports.

The importance of quality in manufacturing has been highlighted by Confederation of Indian Industries deputy director general Sarita Nagpal, who explained with poor management in this area "you stand to lose your credibility as a quality manufacturer in the long run and in the short run, the cost to correct errors is much more than delivering the right product".

In other news that may prompt companies to invest in improving manufacturing processes, a UK company that has seen its sales rise over the Christmas period is crediting a focus on quality with driving them up.

Intellicig, which produces electronic cigarettes, has stated its Ecopure brand is rigorously tested to ensure it meets European standards and each item is a safe and quality product.

Call for German approach to manufacturing industry in Britain

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:02:00 GMT

The manufacturing industry in Germany has flourished in recent years, despite tough economic conditions.

According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), a similar approach to that adopted by Berlin should be taken by the British government in order to ensure the sector in the UK enjoys similar growth.

The body is calling on ministers to bring to an end an "over reliance on financial services" in Britain and focus on rebalancing the economy by backing industry.

In a new report on German policy, the TUC suggests a more strategic approach to manufacturing that prioritises medium-sized firms could deliver more economic benefits, something that may interest those taking an APICS qualification.

"What we really need to deliver a vibrant industrial sector is a new active, interventionist approach to manufacturing," declared TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

The TUC call comes after data published earlier this month by Markit and the CIPS, which showed there was an increase in the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in December 2011 to 49.6.

However, the PMI remained below the 50 mark that represents expansion of the manufacturing sector, although the measure was indicative of a slowing in the rate of contraction as production activity stablised and new export growth strengthened.

Carmakers ''setting UK an economic example''

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:36:00 GMT

The UK's carmakers are providing an example of how manufacturing can recover from the economic downturn and are embracing operations management techniques.

This is according to an article by the Guardian's industrial editor Dan Milmo, in which he suggested the success of companies such as Nissan and Bentley is expanding their sales overseas and this holds the key to bouncing back from the recession.

Mr Milmo explained that Japanese continuous improvements techniques and terms such as kaizen are being employed by established British companies like Bentley in order to boost its profit margins and reduce costs.

Nissan is employing strategies developed by the company in Japan at its Sunderland plant in the UK to assemble vehicles every 60 seconds.

Trevor Mann, the firm's senior vice-president for manufacturing in Europe, explained: "The UK is a competitive manufacturing country at the moment. We are a small island, we are close to the sea – and the cheapest way to ship things around Europe is by sea."

Bentley recently unveiled a new twin turbo, four litre V8 engine for its Continental GT and GTC that has been designed in the UK at its Crewe headquarters.

Additional health funding could improve operations management

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Operations management across the NHS could be improved by the injection of cash aimed at boosting local services.

As part of government plans for the continuous improvement of the NHS, £100 million is being provided by the Department of Health to benefit patients.

It was announced by health secretary Andrew Lansley, who stated the money will be used to enhance services in local communities.

He stated: "I am pleased to be able to give the NHS up to £100 million in extra funding to spend directly on local frontline care for their patients during the winter months."

The funding has been allocated to Clinical Commissioning Groups - which comprise GPs and health professionals - from cash generated through Department of Health savings and will be spent on initiatives such as providing more effective urgent care cover, improving out of hours services and extending opening times at GP practices.

Further changes to operations management in the NHS were recently announced by prime minister David Cameron, who revealed new proposals to alter the way in which nurses' time is spent.

Decline in industrial production ''affected by falling European demand''

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:25:00 GMT

A recent decline in the UK's levels of industrial production is the result of a contraction in demand from Europe.

This is according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research (cebr), which has commented that recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is evidence that further job losses could take place among manufacturers.

One possible way of offsetting a slump in production and reducing costs is to invest in operations management in order to identify ways of enhancing efficiency and reducing costs within companies.

Data from the ONS revealed there was a 0.6 per cent drop in industrial production between October and November 2011 and 1 3.1 per cent year-on-year decline, with manufacturing volumes turning negative for the first time since February 2010.

"Today's uninspiring figures underline the fragility of the UK labour market and herald more of what is to come," declared cebr economist Daniel Solomon.

Meanwhile, figures from Eurostat showed there was a 0.1 per cent fall in seasonally-adjusted industrial production in November 2011 compared with the previous month within both the 27 European Union member states and the 17 eurozone nations.

However, this marked a slowdown in the pace of contraction, which stood at 0.3 per cent in both regions in October.

Decline in industrial production ''affected by falling European demand''

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:25:00 GMT

UK manufacturing figures reveal production decline

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:03:00 GMT

Those involved in demand planning in the manufacturing industry may be slightly concerned after the latest figures showed production in the UK has dropped once again.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the month between October and November was a bad one for the industrial production market in general.

In the manufacturing sector – which had previously shown signs of growth and positivity – a rare decline was reported.

Every month since February 2010 had witnessed a rise in manufacturing, but the run has now been broken.

Year-on-year, manufacturing levels were revealed to be 0.6 per cent down, compared with November 2010.

The ONS suggested that one of the largest contributing factors to the figures was the slowing of demand from the eurozon, which is one of the UK's greatest trade partners.

Last month, the Confederation of British Industry reported a weakening in the state of order books for December.

Improvements in UK manufacturing forecast from Feb

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Manufacturing management professionals may be cheered by the prediction that the situation for manufacturers in the UK will start to improve from February.

According to the chairman of British Made for Quality, the sector will start to see growth from next month onwards following a slow start to 2012.

Julian Baseley explained that a slowdown in European orders over the past quarter had a significant impact on the industry.

However, he noted: "The UK and other areas of export seem to be holding up reasonably well."

The campaign group head added that nations in the Middle East, Asia and South America do not appear to be suffering the same economic problems as the west and activity is forecast to pick up in February 2012 as a result.

Figures for the manufacturing industry published earlier this month by Markit and the CIPS showed that although production stalled in the sector during December, the purchasing managers' index increased from the previous month to 49.6, indicating a slight contraction in activity.

British manufacturing ''vital to nation''s financial health''

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:35:00 GMT

It is vital that the UK's manufacturing industry receives support as it plays a central role in the economic health of the country.

This is the claim made by chairman of British Made for Quality (BMFQ) Julian Baseley, who explained that a product marketing service is required in the UK to help firms attend promotional events and attract customers for their products.

Those planning to undertake an APICS qualification may also be interested in his remark that the government should back "national pavilions in large exhibitions around the world" in order to promote products globally and generate sales for UK businesses.

BMFQ campaigns to maintain production in Britain, tackling a decline in the industry and Mr Baseley's comments come after business minister Mark Prisk announced the launch of the UK's new Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS).

The MAS has been established by the government and the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium to provide advice and guidance to firms in the sector in England about issues such as continuous improvement.

According to the BMFQ head, it is "a very good form of support for the first part of business – to get your basic manufacturing systems as lean as possible and to have good supply lines".

Manufacturing call for better waste management

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:43:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing industry has issued a call to the government for its waste strategy to be more ambitious.

A rising problem with resource shortages has led EEF, the manufacturers' organisation to press for change in this area in order to tackle the issue, difficulties that may have affected operations management professionals.

Research has suggested shortages of materials pose the greatest threat to the industry in the future and the body wants to see ministers combat it with legislation.

EEF has published its review of the UK's Waste Strategy six months after its launch, concluding that poor access to recycling facilities and out of date or confusing regulations need immediate action.

Gareth Stace, the group's head of climate and environment, remarked: "We now need a more ambitious approach which involves a resource strategy for the UK, simplified legislation and an improved infrastructure involving better access to local authority recycling."

A study of manufacturing management leaders in the UK by EEF found that 80 per cent view raw materials shortages as a risk to their operations.

In recent comments on the purchasing managers' index for December, EEF pointed out that although the month saw activity contract, some sectors grew strongly and export demand rose.

PM announces changes to nursing operations management

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:08:00 GMT

David Cameron has revealed new proposals to alter the way in which operations management is carried out in the nursing sector.

The prime minister stated that a greater focus is required on quality and nursing care in order to benefit staff, patients and relatives.

Making the announcement alongside health secretary Andrew Lansley, he stated: "The whole approach to caring in this country needs to be reset. And it needs to start with this simple fact. Caring for patients is what nurses do. Everything else comes second."

Mr Cameron added that the Time to Care initiative from the NHS Institute will help to free up nurses' time to spend more of it on frontline activities, with suggestions including the appointment of senior ward nurses and patient-led inspections.

A red-tape challenge is also being launched to identify excessive bureaucracy that is preventing nurses from spending time with patients.

Responding to the government's new continuous improvement proposals, the Royal College of Nursing stated that staff in the field "want to care for people" and have stressed the need for a reduction in unnecessary paperwork to be reduced.

UK services sector rallies in December

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:13:00 GMT

Operations management investment in the service sector may increase after the UK witnessed a rallying of the industry last month.

The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for services activity reveals that it reached a five-month high in December 2011.

An increase in new work rose at the fastest pace since July pushing up the measure to 54, with any value above 50 indicative of expansion.

However, costs rose sharply during the month in question and output charges stagnated, placing additional pressure on companies' margins and negatively affecting confidence in the sector over the coming months.

Commenting on the survey by the CIPS and Markit, the latter's chief economist Chris Williamson said: "Companies grew increasingly worried about the coming year, suggesting that the upturn may prove short-lived as we move into 2012."

The global services PMI, produced by Markit and JPMorgan, has shown that the index rose from 52.7 in November to 53.2 last month, the 29th consecutive month of growth for the sector.

Technology project aims to enhance NHS operations management

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 11:50:00 GMT

New technology that could assist continuous improvement efforts within the NHS is being rolled out across the health service.

Measures such as telehealth and telecare employ electronic equipment in order to monitor signs such as weight, blood oxygen level and pulse remotely, allowing people to remain in their own homes.

Such technology could be employed by those specialising in operations management within the NHS in order to improve efficiency and patient care by providing professionals with the ability to assess patients with long-term conditions from a distance.

According to the Department of Health, an estimated three million lives will be enhanced through the scheme, which has been trialled by authorities in Cornwall and will involve the NHS, social care bodies, professional groups and industry leaders over the next five years.

Care services minister Paul Burstow stated: "Telehealth and telecare have shown how people with long-term conditions can live more independently, reducing the time they have to spend in hospital and improving their quality of life."

Operations management within the NHS may also receive a boost from the recent appointment of Professor Viv Bennett to the post of Department of Health director of nursing and principal advisor on public health nursing to the government.

IOM Progresses Accreditation Programme

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) has made further progress in its programme of accrediting UK universities and other educational establishments in courses which lead to successful students attaining membership of the IOM.

Glasgow Caledonian University’s MSc Operations and Business Management course has been the first to attain such accreditation and four other universities are now undergoing the accreditation process. The IOM is the UK professional society for operations management in manufacturing, service industries and the public sector.

Qualification for membership of the Institute is based on a combination of academic achievement and professional experience which allows the opportunity to upgrade membership levels as a career develops. IOM ‘Members’ require a minimum of five years practical experience in operations management. However, this can be reduced to two years where an applicant holds the IOM Diploma or equivalent qualification. As such IOM has received requests from educational organisations to accredit programmes which provide a route to full membership of IOM and has now formalised the process whereby such programmes can be recognised as containing appropriate content to qualify for IOM status.

The role of the initial education programme in operations management is to:

Provide awareness of the range of knowledge , skills and values involved at the professional level and to give a basic understanding in the fields of knowledge specified
Develop an appreciation of value and ethical issues involved in operations management
Develop specialist understanding in selected areas

A critical element of the initial professional development will be to instil in graduates a firm knowledge of the principles involved in the various areas, and the ability to review and evaluate situations and propositions by reference to these principles. Initial education programmes should provide for the in-depth development of knowledge and skills in specific areas of operations or related functions.

IOM Manager Leonie Edwards says: ‘There can be no doubt that IOM membership is recognised by increasing numbers of employers as a clear indication of the quality and expertise of personnel engaged in operations management and related disciplines. As such, the creation of a formalised link between many academic courses and IOM membership is a very logical advance, and increasingly sought by universities and other bodies offering courses in this area.

‘The rigorous process which we have created in order to ensure that courses match the academic content appropriate to achieve IOM membership qualification means that students, employers and other interested parties can be assured that no ‘short cuts’ have been involved. The combination of educational achievement and professional experience remains key to IOM membership status.’

Comprehensive details of the requirements for courses seeking to obtain IOM membership accreditation status are available from IOM Manager Leonie Edwards on 01536 740143 leonie.edwards@iomnet.org.uk or Emma Campbell IOM Activities Co-ordinator on 01536 740108 emma.campbell@iomnet.org.uk.

Mark Prisk launches new manufacturing advisory service

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:29:00 GMT

Companies looking at ways of improving manufacturing processes may wish to turn to a new venture that has been launched in the UK by business minister Mark Prisk.

He announced the launch of the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), which will provide tailored advice and support to businesses in the sector to enable them to grow.

The national programme is aimed at small and medium-sized producers and has been created with assistance from the Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC).

"Manufacturing contributes half of Britain’s exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth," Mr Prisk declared.

It is estimated that the MAS could help to generate 23,000 new jobs and protect 50,000 more, generating £1.5 billion worth of economic growth for the country.

In other news that could generate interest in an APICS qualification, new data for the global manufacturing industry from JPMorgan and Markit revealed there was a rise in the purchasing managers' index for the sector in December 2011 from 49.7 in November to 50.8 last month - a return to growth and the highest figure since June last year.

Rise in UK manufacturing index as production stalls

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 13:18:00 GMT

Despite a stalling of production in the UK's manufacturing sector towards the end of 2011, there was a slight rise in the purchasing managers' index (PMI) for December.

This is according to he latest seasonally-adjusted data from Markit and the CIPS, which reveals the measure stood at 49.6 last month, with any figure below 50 indicative of contraction, although new export orders strengthened with work coming in from eastern Europe, China and Germany.

Those in manufacturing management may be interested in a comment by senior economist at Markit Rob Dobson, who stated: "Looking ahead, manufacturers are currently relying heavily on backlogs of work to prop up production. This is only a temporary fix."

A similar performance was recorded for the eurozone PMI in December 2011, as the index rose slightly but failed to get close to the 50 mark that denotes expansion.

The measure within nations with the common currency rose from a 28-month low of 46.4 in November to 46.9 last month, as order inflows dipped and the economic downturn continued.

International operations management expert visits north-west

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:00:00 GMT

The north-west of England has played host to a leading expert in the field of operations management.

Masaaki Imai, who specialises in lean manufacturing techniques, visited the Siemens plant in Congleton, Cheshire, to mark its 40th anniversary.

The Japanese specialist and author witnessed an innovative new process that has been put in place at the facility, which makes a range of electric motors and met with staff members.

He remarked that the tour had been "a real highlight of my trip to the UK" and was impressed by the system in place in Congleton.

Mr Imai's advice may be required as senior official at union GMB Brian Sutton is quoted by the Daily Telegraph as telling the Times that industrial action could be seen in both the public and private sectors, following on from action in November over public sector pensions that resulted in concessions from the government.

"Our people are realising that they have more bargaining power than they think, that there can be financial and reputational damage," he stated.

Call for changes to hospital operations management

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 09:32:00 GMT

More needs to be done to improve operations management in hospitals, one leading expert has declared.

Mike Farrar, head of the NHS Confederation in England, explained that 2012 will be marked by the need to make efficiency savings.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, he pointed out that one way of modernising the service and implementing continuous improvement could be to treat more individuals at home, advocating a more community-based service.

According to Mr Farrar, at least one in four patients could be looked after in their own properties by NHS staff and it can benefit some people to have the length of hospital stays reduced.

"Hospitals play a vital role but we do rely on them for some services which could be provided elsewhere," the specialist suggested.

The Department of Health recently published the NHS Atlas of Variation, which examined spending and patient outcomes across the country's Primary Care Trusts.

UK motor manufacturers ''to flourish in 2012''

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:14:00 GMT

Strong performance is anticipated for UK vehicle manufacturing over 2012 as industry investment grew this year.

An industry that invests heavily in operations management, the field is set to see its sales undergo continuous improvement next year as it recovers from the global downturn.

This is the forecast that has been made by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which is predicting higher levels of output in 2012.

In the organisation's latest update, its chief executive Paul Everitt stated that over £4 billion has been committed by global vehicle makers in the UK through investment in new models and facilities, demonstrating their confidence in the country.

He welcomed the government's backing of the industry, adding: "Our focus in 2012 will be to enhance the competitiveness of the UK, encourage further investment, strengthen the supply chain and maintain industry’s position in leading a manufacturing-led recovery."

Experts from the SMMT have described 2011 as a "step-change year" for the automotive sector and forecast impressive prospects for the coming year.

A recent article in the Telegraph noted that manufacturing management has undergone "pronounced highs and lows" during 2011, with the newspaper's property and industry correspondent Graham Ruddick predicting that next year will see a strong rise in automotive output and civil aerospace.

Hospital officials look to manufacturing for operations management tips

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 15:14:00 GMT

The manufacturing industry in Japan has been used as a source of inspiration for improving operations management by officials from Salem Hospital in Oregon.

That is according to Guidonps.com, citing the Salem Health website, which noted it is thought that despite the differences between the sectors, many of the measures used would be applicable to healthcare.

Commenting on this, chief operating officer at the hospital Cheryl Nester Wolfe said: "A patient is not a car, absolutely not. But the work that people do to make that product or that patient better is very similar."

As part of the process of continuous improvement people from both organisations worked together to formulate improvements for the benefit of the gas meter plant the healthcare staff visited.

This follows a recent report in the Guardian stating that a greater amount of research should be taking place in a primary care setting, as this is where most individual's contact with hospitals takes place.

Manufacturers ''experienced mixed fortunes in 2011''

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:24:00 GMT

This year has been a mixed one for manufacturers with many companies requiring a lot of their operations management teams.

According to an article for the Telegraph, 2011 has been marked by "pronounced highs and lows" in the sector, including rising production and global crises affecting supply chains.

Both the Japanese earthquake and tsunami and the widespread flooding in Thailand disrupted stocks of parts and equipment, while public spending cuts led to firms such as defence contractors scaling back their operations, including 3,000 job cuts at BAE Systems.

The newspaper's property and industry correspondent Graham Ruddick stated in his predictions for 2012 that automotive output looks set to grow in Britain next year as businesses commit to building new models and civil aerospace is also poised for growth.

However, he pointed out that the sector would be affected by the eurozone economy and what happens over the coming 12 months.

Despite these strong predictions for manufacturing, recent Office for National Statistics figures showed a 0.7 per cent dip in production between September and October 2011.

Continuous improvement ''key to transformation of Ford''

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:12:00 GMT

A process of continuous improvement has been central to turning around automotive giant Ford, its chief executive has stated.

According to Alan Mulally, the strategy has been "at the centrepiece" of the company's transformation from bankruptcy to a position of growth.

Speaking to Industry Week, he explained that quality products and a broad range of vehicles have helped the company to weather the economic downturn, with sales being made in markets around the world.

Previously at Boeing, Mr Mulally has transformed the fortunes of Ford, returning it to profitability without having to seek government assistance.

He explained that during the group's weekly business plan review meetings "in every chart that we look at, we're looking at what the plan is to continuously improve".

The Ford boss added that areas that need special attention are identified at such gatherings and charts are colour-coded so that employees can see easily what the status of each area is.

Operations management practices such as continuous improvement may be more important than ever for UK companies after a poll by the Confederation of British Industry found that manufacturers are forecasting a fall in production rates over the next three months.

EU energy regulations ''too increase NHS operations management pressures''

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:41:00 GMT

Additional costs of over £70 million a year will hit the NHS as a result of plans to introduce new power legislation across Europe.

This is the claim made by the NHS Confederation, which has declared that operations management pressures within the health service will be increased by the proposed EU Energy Efficiency Directive.

According to the body's European Office, the rules are "too rigid and top heavy" and will place additional strain on healthcare budgets by requiring public sector bodies to tackle power consumption and meet energy efficient targets for buildings.

Intended to reduce national carbon footprints by 20 per cent by 2020, the directive is being put to the vote by the European Parliament's industry, research and energy committee this week.

"We really don't want to find ourselves in a scenario where we have to divert money away from patient care to pay for costly building renovations," remarked NHS Confederation European Office director Elisabetta Zanon.

In further comments on how EU legislation will affect continuous improvement efforts in the health service, her organisation has stated that while new rules governing the movement of health workers are to be welcomed, safeguards must be put in place to protect patient safety.

UK manufacturers forecast production decline

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:26:00 GMT

A drop in rates of production is expected across the UK during the coming quarter, according to those in manufacturing management.

Demand is remaining weak for the industry, according to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which has revealed companies reported a weakening in their order books this month.

Export orders for December were found by a poll of 434 manufacturers to be "well below their long-run average" and the organisation discovered firms are anticipating a fall in output over the next three months as a result and are planning to scale back production.

CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty highlighted the effects of the ongoing euro crisis on exports and the need to resolve it in order to boost business confidence.

In further news that may affect operations management plans, the government recently announced a new Foresight project examining the future of the manufacturing industry in the UK between now and 2050.

Protecting premises at Christmas

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Whilst Christmas is the season of goodwill and offers a welcome break for many workers, it can also present a major headache for lots of workplaces as they shut down their premises for the Festive Season.

In recent years workplace equipment provider Slingsby, which supplies more than 35,000 products across all industries, has seen a surge of orders around Christmas time from workplaces either falling victim to crime or returning to work to find damage has occurred over the holiday season.

Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby, explains: “Workplaces often experience a crime surge at Christmas due to there being increased stock levels and cash on a lot of premises and the fact that many buildings are empty for long periods of time.

“The run up to Christmas is often a busy period so it can be easy to overlook the impending shutdown but taking time to plan ahead can save lots of time and money in January.”

Slingsby has compiled a checklist to help workplaces enjoy a peaceful and hassle free break:-

• Cancel any deliveries that may turn up during the holiday period.

• Don’t leave any rubbish outside your premises that could be used to start fires.

• Remove anything outside that might help a criminal to break in.

• Make a list of everyone who will need access to the premises over the Christmas period and decide whether they need keys.

• Who will check the alarms and respond to them over Christmas?

• If incidents occur how will they be reported and to whom?

• If you use external security companies find out what checks they will carry out over Christmas.

• Back up all your computer systems and store a copy of your data off premises.

• Remove vehicle keys from the premises or lock them away securely.

• Consider what stock or equipment could be at risk and look at ways of securing it.

• Make sure relevant staff have emergency phone numbers in case there is a problem.

• Decide who will carry out a thorough check of the premises on the last day to make sure all windows and doors are secure.

• You should also switch off all gas and electrical appliances wherever possible.

• Unless you drain your pipes and heating system it makes sense to leave the heating on at a low temperature to prevent pipes from freezing. The heating bill is quickly offset by the cost of flood damage and repairing burst pipes.

DFS presses ahead with expansion plan

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:18:00 GMT

Manufacturing management jobs could be created as furniture company DFS has announced an expansion of its operations.

The company has revealed it saw the value of its sales for the 13 weeks to October 29th drop from £150 million last year to £128 million this year, but is preparing for the future with an £82 million investment.

It has already created 130 jobs this year and 300 more are in the pipeline as it expands its operations at plants in Carcroft in South Yorkshire and the Derbyshire towns of Alfreton and Long Eaton.

Looking to the future, the company's chief executive Ian Filby stated: "Although we expect no early improvement in the trading environment, we are confident that DFS has the right strategy, proposition and team to manage the business through these tough conditions."

The DFS expansion is in contrast with the overall position of manufacturing in the UK, according to the latest Office fro National Statistics Index of Manufacturing.

It said the 12 months to October 2011 saw a 1.7 per cent year-on-year decline in output.

Service sector still seeing jobs growth

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:22:00 GMT

The service sector has showed signs of bucking wider employment trends with jobs growth in the three months to October, something that may include sales and operations planning.

Official data from the office for National Statistics (ONS) has shown the total number of people in work fell by 128,000 and the unemployment tally rose to 2.64 million.

But while the period saw a net decline in public sector employment of 67,000, there was a 5,000 rise in the service sector.

And among total jobs in a sector - which differs from unemployment figures as it can include part time work done by people with more than one occupation - there was a rise of 150,000 in the quarter.

Services saw much of this expansion, with an extra 66,000 posts in administrative and support services.

The picture for private sector jobs in manufacturing may not be so bright, with the latest ONS figures showing the seasonally-adjusted output fell 0.7 per cent between September and October.

Manufacturers press government for decarbonisation target

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:45:00 GMT

The manufacturers' organisation EEF has urged the government to create a formal decarbonisation target for 2030.

A new report from the industry body entitled Green and Growth Solutions for Growing a Green Economy indicates that such a benchmark could help to boost lean manufacturing, drive future energy policy and create a low-carbon economy.

The EEF also suggested that more evidence is required to prove the government's existing renewables target is achievable and cost-effective.

"We now need a newer, more positive approach that gives industry the certainty and incentives to invest," said EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler.

"By developing this approach, the government can provide the best kind of leadership."

He also said that until recently, insufficient attention had been paid to the potential of industry to play a significant role in making the economy greener.

The CBI has this week urged businesses and the government to work together more effectively in order to improve resource efficiency in the UK, as this will provide British companies with a competitive advantage in the global marketplace.

Operations management variations in NHS highlighted

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:53:00 GMT

Continuous improvement is one of the aims of a new report from the Department of Health, which published the NHS Atlas of Variation earlier this week.

The report looks at how much is spent by each Primary Care Trust (PCT) on clinical services and what outcomes for patients are generated due to this.

It is hoped that commissioners in various PCTs can use the information to improve operations management and identify examples of when and why outcomes have not been adequately reflected by financial expenditure.

Health minister Lord Howe said the Atlas is one of many steps towards making the NHS "more patient-centred".

"[It] will help commissioners to identify unjustified variations and drive up standards so patients are receiving consistently high quality care throughout the NHS," he added.

Last Friday (December 9th), the department announced that its alert for the Cold Weather Plan was reverting from Level 2 - where temperatures are low enough to give rise to health risks of a significant nature - to Level 1.

Scottish services and manufacturing witness output growth

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:10:00 GMT

Scotland's services and manufacturing sectors both witnessed growth in output during November, according to new data.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the nation shows that operations management activities may have increased as both industries also hired more workers over the month in question.

Produced by Markit and Bank of Scotland, the PMI revealed there was a dip in new work for the third month in a row and charges rose slightly as cost inflation continued to perform strongly.

The index stood at 51.1 last month, up from 51 in October, with any number above 50 indicative of expansion in the Scottish private sector, which has grown in 11 consecutive months.

However, Bank of Scotland chief economist Donald MacRae stated: "Both new orders and new export orders fell in the month highlighting the challenge of maintaining growth in the face of the global slowdown."

Recent data from Markit regarding the UK services sector showed a rise in headline business activity from a PMI in October of 51.3 to 52.1 last month, with an increase in incoming business.

Figures show weakening of UK manufacturing output

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:47:00 GMT

Efforts to adjust manufacturing management to the increasingly challenging economic climate could be accelerated following new official data.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there was a 1.7 per cent year-on-year decline in production during the period to October 2011.

In addition, the seasonally-adjusted Index of Manufacturing dropped by 0.7 per cent between September and October this year and the Index of Production by the same amount.

However, manufacturing remained 0.3 per cent higher year-on-year for the 12 months in question.

It is the first quarterly decline in the industry for two years and Capital Economics UK economist Samuel Tombs told the Independent it suggests "the risk that the overall economy re-enters recession in the fourth quarter remains high".

EEF, the manufacturers' organisation has recently suggested that divergence within the UK sector is becoming more acute, something that could assist operations management experts in planning for the future.

Figures show weakening of UK manufacturing output

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:47:00 GMT

NHS operations management ''to become more patient-focused''

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:42:00 GMT

The health secretary has declared that he wants to see a more patient-focused approach to operations management in the NHS.

Andrew Lansley stated he intends there to be a renewed focus on improving results though the NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13, with performance measures in the future on areas such as whether treatment was a success and recovery times.

"My ambition for patients is, quite simply, this: 'No decision about me, without me'," declared Mr Lansley.

Outlining his new vision for the health service in a speech at Guy's Hospital, he added that part of the government's strategy for continuous improvement in the NHS includes producing maps of local health providers and GP practices that can be accessed by patients to enhance choice.

The latest figures from the Department of Health show that the number of patients in England waiting six weeks or more for key diagnostics tests dropped by 2,000 between September and October 2011 to 7,600, but stood 2,200 higher year-on-year.

UK manufacturing management to benefit from £125m supply chain boost

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:19:00 GMT

Operations management experts in the UK's advanced manufacturing sector have learned that the government is committing £125 million to boost the effectiveness of supply chains in the sector.

According to business secretary Vince Cable, who made the announcement, the cash will "gain maximum value for the UK by ensuring our suppliers are in the best position possible to compete" following recent logistics shocks such as the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and ash clouds.

Under the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, which will start accepting applications early next year, manufacturing management operations will be provided with funding to help them achieve world class standards in this area.

The money is also expected to help encourage major new suppliers to move to the UK and enhance the global competitiveness of industries such as automotive, chemicals, energy renewables and aerospace.

In recent comments on the UK manufacturing industry, EEF chief economist Lee Hopley stated that the crisis in Europe is affecting the sector by dampening exports, although demand appears to be "reasonably firm" in places such as India, China and South America.

Growth continues within UK services sector

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 14:41:00 GMT

Despite challenging economic conditions at present, operations management professionals in the services sector may be cheered by data showing it is continuing to expand.

The industry's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) in the UK stood at 52.1 in November this year, with any figure above 50 indicative of growth.

According to the latest data from Markit and the CIPS, every month this year has seen gains in services, with November's figure rising from 51.3 in October.

However, the report warned that growth is being "undermined by [the] difficult economic climate", employment has fallen at its fastest place in 15 months and new business rose at its slowest rate over the year-to-date.

"Whether or not the economy slides into recession next year depends to a large extent on whether politicians can find a workable solution to the eurozone's crisis," warned Markit chief economist Chris Williamson.

Meanwhile, the PMI for the eurozone in November indicated that the area witnessed a services sector contraction last month, with the index standing at 47.

Manufacturing sector divergence ''continues in Q4''

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:38:00 GMT

Divergence of the UK's manufacturing industry has continued into the fourth quarter of 2011, according to a new report.

The study by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and BDO indicated that operations management professionals could be busy this year as there is a growing divergence in performance between markets.

Over the past three months, strong patterns have been seen in sectors such as motor vehicles and mechanical equipment, while electronics, basic metals, rubber and plastics have experienced tougher conditions.

In their analysis of the field, the two bodies noted that growth is still likely to remain positive, but will be lower than expected in 2012, as export balances have softened in recent months and there are signs of firms scaling back hiring and investment plans.

"We would strongly encourage the government to increase the momentum of support for the sector in order to help rebalance and boost the economy," stated BDO head of manufacturing Tom Lawton.

In the latest measure of the UK's manufacturing industry, the purchasing managers' index from Markit and the CIPS indicated there was a decline in both domestic and export orders between October and November 2011, causing firms to cut back on production.

Production reduced as demand falls at home and abroad

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

UK manufacturers cut back on production during November this year as levels of demand fell.

This is according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industry, which shows both domestic and export orders declined over the month from October.

Operations management professionals may be interest in the Markit and CIPS data showing that the sector contracted for the second month in a row, dropping to 47.6 in November from 47.8 in October.

Manufacturing activity fell to a "near two-and-a-half year low" over the period in question and companies cut back on the workforces as economic uncertainty affected the industry.

A sharp decline in output was recorded among consumer goods producers and smaller contractions within the investment and intermediate goods sectors.

Markit senior economist Rob Dobson remarked: "The lack of new work is forcing manufacturers to rely on previously-placed orders to avoid sharper cutbacks in output and employment. This cannot go on indefinitely."

Meanwhile, Markit's manufacturing PMI for the Eurozone fell to a 28-month low in November, as production and new orders declines accelerated and further job losses took place.

Higher numbers of female doctors may alter operations management

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Operations management professionals in the UK's healthcare sector may be interested in a new report claiming a shift in the number of female doctors could affect the field.

According to an article in the student edition of British Medical Journal, there will be more female specialists in the workforce than men by 2017.

However, experts have suggested that this could alter operations management in some areas, potentially leading to safer practices.

Maham Khan, from Imperial College London, explained that female medics face disciplinary charges by the General Medical Council less often.

Professor Jean McEwan noted that the types of healthcare jobs in the UK done by women tend towards those in "specialties such as general practice, paediatrics and palliative care, but some branches of medicine, such as cardiology and general surgery, remain closed or unattractive to women".

NHS operations management specialist are likely to have been under increased pressure this week when the largest public sector strikes in a generation took place in a dispute over pay and pensions, affecting hospitals and healthcare facilities across the country.

UK manufacturers predict falling output as exports dip

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing output looks likely to decline, if the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) findings are anything to go by.

Published in the organisation's latest Industrial Trends Survey, operations management data showed that there has already been a weakening in order books around the country during November.

Over the course of the month, demand for British exports has fallen sharply, with 42 per cent of the 446 manufacturing firms that responded to the survey noting a drop in sales.

Just 11 per cent said they had enjoyed a boost in their order books in recent weeks and were now dealing with higher quotas when carrying out inventory control.

Ian McCafferty, chief economic adviser at the CBI, said: "With heightened uncertainty over global prospects and business confidence falling sharply, it is very possible that factories will see production slowing further in the near term."

David Kern, chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce, recently said that UK manufacturing was on the up but more had to be done to ensure positive results remained.

US company enhances operations management with lean principles

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:18:00 GMT

A US firm has confirmed that it is to adopt a lean manufacturing methods program in a bid to enhance its services.

Midwest Precision, a creator of precision machine tools, has deployed the plan and has revealed it will follow six simple steps – sort, straighten, shine, standardise, sustain and safety.

The 6S program has already made a positive impact on the company, explained vice-president of engineering and operations Paul Ruley.

He said advances in efficiency and cost reduction had been experienced by the firm.

"Consumable tooling is now inventoried in our business system and cataloged electronically using bar code technology, saving several hours a day and eliminating excess inventory of expensive tooling," Mr Ruley stated.

Midwest Precision has also employed a visual management tool that it believes will make it easier to flag up problems for staff to correct.

Lean processes aim to allow companies to do more with less, as they constantly eliminate elements of waste.

Manufacturers ''experiencing credit constraints and cost increases''

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:29:00 GMT

Not only is the cost of credit increasing for those in manufacturing management, but they also report that access to finance is becoming tighter.

This is the claim made in a new report by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, which has found that a balance of three per cent of respondents said availability of new lines of borrowing contracted in the past quarter.

As a result, the industry body is urging Chancellor George Osborne to address gaps in short term funding for firms in his autumn Treasury statement.

The Credit Conditions Survey for the fourth quarter of 2011 showed economic uncertainty is growing among those responsible for manufacturing management and the lending environment is deteriorating.

As a result, EEF chief economist Lee Hopley stated: "This is precisely the time where we need to see more, not less, investment if we are to create the investment and jobs our economy urgently needs."

In recent remarks on gross domestic product data for the UK, she welcomed a rise in manufacturing investment, but said more needs to be done to restore it to pre-recession levels.

Manufacturers ''experiencing credit constraints and cost increases''

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 14:29:00 GMT

Government unveils youth jobs subsidy

Fri, 25 Nov 2011 17:16:00 GMT

Careers in operations management may await young people given a chance to turn around their career and life prospects by a new government initiative.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg and employment minister Chris Grayling have unveiled a new £1 billion scheme that will see nearly half a million people aged between 16 and 24 being helped to get into work.

This will include 250,000 work experience places becoming available in the next three years, with at least 100,000 of these being generated each year.

And it will see 160,000 job subsidies being created worth £2,275 to each business per youngster taken on, which cover national insurance contributions and exceed the amount of support for firms the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) called for.

Reflecting on the development, the CBI director-general John Cridland expressed his delight at hearing ministers had taken its ideas on board.

He stated: "It will encourage firms to take a gamble on a young inexperienced person and help tackle the scourge of youth unemployment."

Nestle announced coffee plant expansion plans

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:32:00 GMT

Production and inventory control jobs may be on offer at Nestle as the food and drink products maker has announced a £110 million investment in expanding its plant in Staffordshire.

The firm is to treble its production capacity at the Dolce Gusto site in Tutbury, Staffordshire.

Prime minister David Cameron was on hand at the time of the announcement, welcoming news of the increase in output and creation of 300 new jobs.

Describing the move as "brilliant news" for the UK manufacturing sector, he said: "This investment shows the confidence that there is in the UK, it is clear that we have got a great manufacturing future."

Nestle UK and Ireland noted it has already invested £100 million in expanding the facility over the past five years, increasing the number of jobs there from 160 to its present level of 500.

The firm said coffee products made at the site will be exported to 38 different countries around the world.

Confederation of British Industry director general John Cridland recently said the UK needs to export goods to a wider range of countries than at present if its manufacturing sector is to grow significantly.

Medical equipment manufacturer granted licence extension

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:04:00 GMT

The task of improving manufacturing processes may be taken up by those involved in work to make new blood-testing devices, after a Cambridge-based company was granted a licence extension to start producing them.

Sphere Medical has received an extension of its EN ISO13485 licence for design and development from Notified Body TUV SUD Product Service GmbH.

This means it can start producing its Proxima disposable patient-attached arterial blood analyser, which may create opportunities for those involved in improving manufacturing processes to work to maximise output and safety.

Chief executive of the firm Dr Stuart Hendry said: "This scope extension is an important achievement and underpins our capability for commercial manufacture at our Harston facility."

He said the news was an endorsement of the "excellent" quality management system it has in place.

The company produces equipment designed to test blood conditions such as gas, glucose and drug levels in real-time, but with laboratory accuracy.

Such swift information enables doctors to make rapid decisions about patient care.

Northern Ireland ''set for manufacturing boost''

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:53:00 GMT

Those seeking jobs in the area of improving manufacturing processes may find opportunities in Northern Ireland, with a new report tipping this area for growth in the near future.

Northern Bank and Oxford Economics' latest Quarterly Sectoral Forecasts report has noted the last year has brought employment growth in the sector, with the level of growth expected to be from three to four per cent from 2012.

The report commented: "The size of the Northern Irish manufacturing sector becomes a welcomed strength and a potential source of growth, not the sector in 'inevitable' decline it was once unfairly characterised as."

Manufacturing has been a traditional source of employment in Northern Ireland, although industries such as shipbuilding have declined.

But the report noted the UK government plans to increase manufacturing should help modern industries grow.

The Harland and Wolff Shipyard in Belfast is the most famous centre for that industry, with 2012 marking the anniversary of the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic, which was built there.

Prime minister stresses need for high-tech manufacturing growth

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:06:00 GMT

The task of improving manufacturing processes is one Britain needs to grasp to ensure there is more high-tech production like that at the McLaren Formula One factory, the prime minister has said.

David Cameron made the comment as he opened the new McLaren plant at Woking in Surrey, an event at which team principal Ron Dennis and drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jensen Button were present.

He said Formula One car making is a "massive British success story", adding that the new plant is "a great reminder that actually in Britain we do still have world class engineering, world class manufacturing, world class production techniques".

But Britain needs more manufacturing of this kind, the prime minister noted, stating the leaders of the other main political parties share this view, as all three were at the launch of a £1 million engineering prize this week.

With the present Formula One seasons almost at an end, the McLaren team is set to finish second in the constructor's championship behind Red Bull.

Call for help to keep car industry growing

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 17:10:00 GMT

More manufacturing management roles may become available if the UK car industry is able to continue growing, after recording an increase in output over the past year.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicated a 5.8 per cent increase in production in the last 12 months.

Areas of particular expansion like engine making (up 12 per cent) counterbalanced negatives such as commercial vehicle manufacturing (down 2.9 per cent).

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said "strong export demand" had boosted numbers and called the results "good news for the economy during this difficult period".

However, he added, future prospects are less bright and he called for action from chancellor George Osborne to introduce measures in his upcoming autumn statement to "encourage private sector investment and boost economic growth".

Others calling for government action include the Confederation of British Industry, which wants to see tax breaks for employers to take on young unemployed workers and train them, after official statistics showed youth unemployment has passed the one million mark.

Unemployment figures may encourage more training

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:15:00 GMT

More people may seek training to improve their qualifications and become more employable in the jobs market after new figures revealed a fresh rise in the number out of work.

Official data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that in the three months to September, the proportion of working age people out of work rose by 0.4 per cent (129,000) to 8.3 per cent (2.62 million).

The situation looks particularly grim for younger individuals, with the number out of work up 67,000 in this period to 1.02 million, the highest figure since comparable records began in 1992, although the ONS said there is some evidence the tally might have been higher in the mid-1980s.

Operations training courses may be among the studies some might wish to undertake to boost their employability.

Commenting on the job figures, the Confederation of British Industry called for the government to introduce a £1,500-per head tax credit for employers to take on unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds and train them.

Private sector ''still delivering new jobs''

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:42:00 GMT

The private sector is still expecting to deliver more new jobs in the year ahead, a survey has found.

Companies including small service sector enterprises have shown a high level of optimism in the study by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and recruitment specialists Harvey Nash, with 47 per cent expecting to employ more people a year from now.

This contrasts with only 19 per cent of firms anticipating a shrinkage of staff.

And the gap is wider still for companies employing fewer than 250 people, with 35 per cent more expecting to expand employment opportunities than to shed jobs.

However, the situation may not be so bright if the economy contracts as some fear.

CBI deputy director-general, Dr Neil Bentley, warned recruitment plans "could be blown off course by fast-moving economic events at home and abroad."

And the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has issued a downbeat prediction for the jobs market in the next few months, with public policy advisor Gerwyn Davies stating that it will experience a "slow, painful contraction".

European Commission Enterprise and Industry - Free CE marking seminar invitati

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:38:00 GMT

Public sector ''suffering from low morale''

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:44:00 GMT

Individuals concerned with continuous improvement within the public sector may wish to focus on improving staff morale.

This is after a study by Badenoch and Clark found that over half of the central and local government staff members they questioned would not be willing to recommend working for such employers.

According to the recruitment firm, as workers in the public sector face job cuts with government austerity measures, one in five are suffering from a lack of motivation in their current role.

Operations management plans could suffer from falling morale within government and council roles, with Badenoch & Clark managing director Nicola Linkleter stating: "This is a problem that must be tackled imminently, or the future of the talent pipeline for some public sector employers could be at risk of stagnating."

In related news, as part of continuous improvement within the public sector, the Local Government Association has revealed it is looking for 15 local councils to participate in the Adult Social Care Efficiency programme 2011-12.

Manufacturing industry ''needs support despite signs of growth''

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Although the UK manufacturing sector has witnessed growth and remains in positive territory, more still needs to be done to ensure it stays there.

In comments that may be of interest to operations management professionals, the chief economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has declared that the "modest" rise in output during September 2011 was "better than many expected".

David Kern was commenting on new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which has showed that manufacturing output climbed month-on-month from August by 0.2 per cent, marking a two per cent rise over the year.

However, Mr Kern explained that "the sector does face difficult challenges", in part because of tough conditions in the eurozone and government austerity measures in Britain.

He added: "The Autumn Statement at the end of this month will provide the Chancellor with a prime opportunity to introduce more policies to support growth."

The BCC expert was commenting as the ONS revealed that seasonally-adjusted output climbed in the UK during September 2011, despite no change from August in overall production figures.

Weaker services sector ''could affect UK economic growth''

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Operations management professionals have been advised that a weakening in the services sector could constrain the UK economy.

This is the claim made in a new report from accountancy firm BDO, which has stated its output index for the country declined during October to 92.6, falling from 93.3 the previous month.

It has suggested in its latest Business Trends publication that there is a "bleak winter ahead", although confidence improved over the month in manufacturing, but fell in services.

"The UK's economic recovery remains sluggish," warned BDO partner Peter Hemington, adding that the chancellor should announce tax reforms in his forthcoming Autumn Statement.

However, those concerned with continuous improvement may also be interested in recent comments made by senior economic advisor to the Ernst and Young ITEM club Neil Blake that 2012 could see a decline in inflation.

"The good news is that food, oil and petrol prices will all start to come down next year."

However, he cautioned that inflation will start to climb again over the next five years.

UK smaller manufacturers ''see decline in sentiment''

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:52:00 GMT

Optimism has fallen among smaller manufacturers in the UK, according to a new survey.

The poll by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) found that such manufacturing management specialists are predicting a slight drop in domestic purchasing over the coming quarter and no real growth in overseas sales.

CBI SME Council chair Lucy Armstrong said: "Sentiment has taken a real hit, falling at rates not seen since the height of the recession in April 2009."

In the latest quarterly SME Trends Survey from the organisation, it reveals that there was a balance of zero in the number of respondents reporting falls and rises in domestic orders over August to October 2011 and the measure of export orders dropped to minus eight per cent for the same period.

The next three months are expected to see firms reduce stock holdings, cut back on investments and drop output, although a slight increase in workforces is anticipated.

Despite the evidence from the CBI, Make It campaign events co-ordinator Stephen Melia recently declared there is "much to be positive about" in the manufacturing sector, as the country continues to lead the world in advanced production and areas such as innovation.

Industry bodies call for reform of R&D tax credits

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:13:00 GMT

The current system of tax incentives for research and development (R&D) activity by UK manufacturers should be reformed.

This is the claim made by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, in news that may interest those in manufacturing management roles.

A report has been published by the two bodies in a bid to generate continuous improvement within the industry by persuading the government to improve access to tax credits for R&D.

Estimates by the business groups suggest that over 31,000 employment opportunities could be created and economic output boosted by £3.1 billion within 30 years if a new system was put in place to attract more investment and bring the UK into line with other nations such as France in terms of tax incentives.

"Encouraging high-value investment and innovation by UK-based companies as well as attracting foreign investment is crucial for ensuring UK manufacturing and the wider economy can continue to grow," EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler stated.

Mr Sculoer recently welcomed better-than-expected gross domestic product data as evidence the UK economy has weathered the turbulence of recent months.

UK manufacturing sector ''has much to be positive about''

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:50:00 GMT

Those in operations management may be interested in comments that the UK's manufacturing sector is facing challenges but has "much to be positive about".

Events coordinator of the Make It campaign Stephen Melia noted there are currently 2.6 million people in Britain employed by the industry, which is in contradiction to the assumption that the UK does not make anything.

Working for Makeit.org.uk, Mr Melia added: "The UK is a world leader in advanced manufacturing and going forward we need to play to our strengths of innovation, design, developing new technologies and creating new products."

However, he also pointed out that there are challenges posed to those involved in manufacturing management at present, including skills shortages, scarcity and rising costs of raw materials and climbing energy bills.

The Make It in Manufacturing campaign was launched in 2006 by The Manufacturing Institute and is intended to tackle negative perceptions and myths about the sector, while showing potential entrants what it has to offer them.

UK services sector continues to expand in October

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:15:00 GMT

Further growth has been reported in the British services sector, new data has indicated.

This is according to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industry, which climbed for the tenth month in a row during October this year.

Individuals concerned with continuous improvement in the services sector are advised the measure rose at a "modest rate" over the month as the pace of incoming new business expansion slowed.

Compiled by Markit and the CIPS, the figures show that confidence about future conditions increased over October 2011 to its highest level since May, while the business activity index dipped from 52.9 in September to 51.3 last month.

Manufacturing management specialists are advised that a downward trend in input cost inflation continued over the period in question and output charges fell.

Markit chief economist Chris Williamson remarked: "The sector made a strong contribution to economic growth in the third quarter, but this looks set to wane in the final quarter of the year."

In related news, latest data from the Office for National Statistics indicated that the rate of growth in the UK economy was sharper than predicted at 0.5 per cent in the quarter to September 2011, with expansion driven by the services sector.

UK manufacturing industry witnesses decline in activity rates

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:53:00 GMT

Activity in the UK manufacturing industry dipped further last month, with new orders, employment and output growth all contracting during October.

This is the claim made with regards to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector, which fell to a 28-month low of 47.4 over the period, down from 50.8 in September.

Compiled by Markit and the CIPS, the measure shows a significant dip in new order inflows, but manufacturing management professionals are advised that inflationary pressures are showing some signs of easing.

Commenting on the new figures, Markit senior economist and author of the report Rob Dobson stated: "Companies are facing tough conditions in both domestic and overseas markets, meaning that output is increasingly being sustained through the depletion of backlogs of work."

With regards to the 17 nations of the eurozone, the most recent PMI has revealed there was an acceleration in the rate of decline within the manufacturing sector during October 2011, with the index standing at 47.1 for the month.

All nations within the region with the exception of Ireland saw a contraction over the month from September.

Services sector ''leads UK''s latest quarterly expansion''

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:10:00 GMT

The UK economy has grown at a sharper rate than expected over the past quarter, with the services sector leading the way.

Strategies such as continuous improvement may have assisted companies in generating further profits over the three months to September 2011.

According to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), gross domestic product (GDP) rose by 0.5 per cent during the period in question after a 0.1 per cent upswing over the three months to June 2011, with production output climbing by 0.5 per cent following a 1.2 per cent decline.

In addition, output expanded by 0.7 per cent over the three months to September following a 0.2 per cent increase during the period to June, while there was a slight fall in construction sector activity.

"Returning to the latest quarter, there is no evidence to suggest that the riots in August had any significant impact on GDP for Q3," stated the ONS.

A total of 36 economists polled by Bloomberg had reported a media estimate of economic growth of 0.3 per cent for the latest report.

UK manufacturers ''concerned by energy price rises''

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:14:00 GMT

The rising cost of energy is hitting many manufacturing companies in the UK hard, it has been claimed.

Operations management professionals may have to adjust their strategies as the cost of gas and electricity remains high, with EEF, the manufacturers' organisation suggesting that part of the problem relates to the UK government's climate change policy.

According to the body, this is pushing up utilities bills to rates that are significantly higher than those paid by production businesses' competitors in Germany.

As a result EEF wants ministers to reassess the current situation and put together an Energy Intensive package to cover those firms with high power costs well before the gap widens with the introduction of the Carbon Price Floor in 2013.

Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the body, remarked: "The government must bring forward a package of measures to compensate those industries most affected by its climate change policies."

UK energy prices are currently ten per cent higher than those in German and could rise to 15 per cent greater by 2013.

EEF has welcomed the announcement this week that almost £1 billion of government investment is being made through the Regional Growth Fund, much of which will support manufacturing and infrastructure projects.

UK manufacturers ''concerned by energy price rises''

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:14:00 GMT

Encouraging young people ''will boost UK manufacturing''

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:15:00 GMT

Taking steps to engage young people in the UK will provide a boost to the country's manufacturing sector.

Comments made by Stephen Melia, events coordinator for the Make It campaign, stress the importance of educating pupils about the opportunities available in the industry, such as good pay, international travel and interesting tasks.

According to the Makeit.org.uk expert, the sector contributes an estimated £200 billion to the UK economy annually, but can struggle to recruit staff because of problems with its image, which leads to skills shortages and an ageing workforce.

Mr Melia added: "In school, young people really enjoy coming up with new ideas and making things, yet there is a disconnect between this and seeing manufacturing as an aspirational career choice."

He is a spokesman for the Make It in Manufacturing campaign run by The Manufacturing Institute, which aims to tackle preconceptions and myths surrounding production and show what it has to offer to school pupils.

His remarks could increase interest in taking a CPIM exam or obtaining an APICS qualification, as may the recent launch by the government of the Make it in Great Britain campaign promoting the UK's manufacturing industry.

Encouraging young people ''will boost UK manufacturing''

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:15:00 GMT

UK manufacturers forecast orders decline

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:35:00 GMT

The coming months are expected to prove difficult for manufacturers in the UK, a new survey shows.

According to research from the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), sentiment within the sector has declined sharply as firms anticipate falls in orders and output over the next quarter, falling at its most acute rate since April 2009.

Taking an APICS qualification may become more attractive as manufacturers face difficult conditions over the coming months, something that operations management practices could assist with.

During the next three months manufacturers expect to reduce their cornstock holdings amid declining activity and modest increases in domestic demand.

Over the most recent quarter, a balance of plus five per cent of companies said they saw a rise in domestic orders, while export purchasing was flat.

"Manufacturers saw modest growth in orders and production over the past quarter. However, sentiment has deteriorated sharply and firms expect sizeable falls in activity over the next three months," commented CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty.

The UK's business secretary Vince Cable has addressed the Policy Exchange with a speech in which he declared that a new industrial strategy for the UK should include a strong framework of incentives and support for manufacturing.

Europe witnesses pick-up in industrial new orders

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 12:41:00 GMT

The volume of industrial new orders in the European Union (EU) improved over August 2011 compared with the previous month, new figures show.

According to the data from the region's statistical agency Eurostat, the month witnessed a 0.4 per cent increase in purchasing across the 27 member states, offsetting a decline of 0.6 per cent in July.

Manufacturers that may have to adjust their operations management systems in light of rising orders include those making capital goods, as new orders for these climbed by 1.1 per cent over the period in question.

Year-on-year industrial new orders expanded by 6.5 per cent across the EU, with capital goods rising by 8.2 per cent in August 2011 over 2010 and intermediate goods up by 6.9 per cent.

In the UK, manufacturing management professionals learned earlier this month that September saw a rise in the Purchasing Managers' Index produced by CIPS and Markit, as the measure returned to growth following a fall in August.

Make it in Great Britain campaign to champion UK manufacturing

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:00:00 GMT

The government is launching a new campaign to promote the UK's manufacturing industry, operations management professionals are advised.

According to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the initiative is intended to celebrate the contribution of the industry to the economy, encourage more young people to seek careers in it and tackle outdated assumptions about production in Britain.

Business secretary Vince Cable, launching the scheme, stated that up to 30 industry champions are needed and these should be "passionate manufacturers" of all kinds, adding: "Our world-beating companies have an excellent reputation for innovation."

Entitled Make it in Great Britain, the campaign is calling on the nation's business community to champion production, with plans for a major exhibition throughout the Olympic Games.

It comes after the government's See Inside Manufacturing initiative across the country allowed young people to observe how companies in the sector operate, with a range of businesses participating.

The Confederation of British Industry has issued a call this week for greater support to be shown to independent, mid-sized manufacturers in the UK, similar to the system in place in Germany.

Employing German Mittelstand model ''could enhance UK operations management''

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:23:00 GMT

More needs to be done to boost conditions for the UK's medium-sized businesses and help them to flourish.

This is the claim made by a leading business group, which has proposed adopting a similar model to the Mittelstand policy in Germany, in order to create a backbone of such firms for the country that drive exports, innovation and growth.

According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), such companies are the "forgotten army" of the nation's private sector and should be assisted to expand and enhance their operations management practices, maximising their productivity and potential.

The organisation wants to see greater support for such firms and director-general of the CBI John Cridland stated: "For too long these companies, which could inject tens of billions of pounds into our economy, have fallen under the radar of policymakers."

Industry body, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, recently called on the government to include measures in its forthcoming Autumn Statement that will be of particular assistance to firms in the sector and help them to grow.

Technology change ''not essential to continuous improvement''

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:20:00 GMT

Companies looking to commit to continuous improvement principles do not have to invest in expensive new technology in order to do so.

This is according to head of the AME Institute Ralph Keller, who explained that the principles are "about making changes to business processes, not necessarily technology".

Writing in Industry Week, Mr Keller, former head of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence noted that substantial gains are possible by simply altering the way in which things are done, such as instigating demand pull manufacturing systems.

He explained that although technology can help to facilitate improvements, it is not a prerequisite and people should not be deterred from their goals by "red herrings" such as this assumption.

Continuous improvement refers to a set of principles that are concerned with enhancing products, services and processes in areas such as cost, delivery and quality. It can be applied in both production and services organisations and should be ongoing.

Higher public sector jobs cuts may affect operations management

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:50:00 GMT

Operations management professionals within the public sector may have to reassess their strategies as new figures show more jobs have been lost in the field than anticipated.

This is according to figures from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which has carried out research showing that one year on from the government's spending review, the pace of cuts in the public sector labour market has been "larger and faster than expected".

Local authorities in England have been particularly affected by the reductions in workforces, with a total contraction of the public sector workforce between December 2009 and June 2011 of 290,000.

A total of 111,000 of these cuts occurred in the second quarter of this year, as losses outstripped employment gains in the private sector.

"Rising demand for public services, reduced government spending and the need for a leaner and more efficient public sector mean that public service reform is central to the coalition's agenda," advised PwC partner and head of public sector Paul Cleal.

Elsewhere in the public sector, continuous improvement will be a key focus of the new head of the NHS Commissioning Board, which has now been announced by health secretary Andrew Lansley to be Professor Malcolm Grant.

See Inside Manufacturing scheme could produce future operations managers

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:59:00 GMT

Manufacturing management and engineering are skills that are being promoted to young people through a new initiative.

See Inside Manufacturing could increase interest in taking an APICS qualification as it aims to boost interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) subjects.

Nissan - which is committed to continuous improvement principles - is one of the firms participating in the scheme, welcoming pupils to its Cranfield European Technical Centre in Bedfordshire and its Sunderland plant over a two-week period.

"We are giving young people the chance to see the exciting face of modern manufacturing which is highly skilled, high-tech and highly paid," business secretary Vince Cable declared.

Pupils visiting Nissan's facilities will participate in educational games, meet with engineers and watch vehicles being made.

Sales and operations planning specialists may also benefit from the recently-launched government Manufacturing Advisory Service, which is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises in the field.

Call for Autumn Statement to improve conditions for manufacturers

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:27:00 GMT

The forthcoming government Autumn Statement should include measures that will boost business growth and benefit the UK's manufacturing industry, it has been claimed.

Operations management professionals are advised that EEF, the manufacturers' organisation believes that weaker growth is risking the economy and reforms are needed to address the problem and boost confidence among firms in the sector.

EEF chief executive Terry Sculoer stated that manufacturers want to invest, but need incentives to do so, including a reduction of employment red tape, efforts to address the cost of combating climate change and improved banking industry competition.

Manufacturing management experts may also be interested in his statement that "failure to act now will only make the future challenges even bigger and risks undermining our hard-won fiscal credibility".

EEF recently welcomed the focus on production in a recent speech by prime minister David Cameron at the Conservative Party's autumn conference, but stressed the importance of putting policies in place that stimulate economic growth.

Call for Autumn Statement to improve conditions for manufacturers

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:27:00 GMT

New NHS Commissioning Board head to focus on continuous improvement

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:41:00 GMT

The health secretary Andrew Lansley has announced the incoming chair of the NHS Commissioning Board will focus on continuous improvement within the health service as part of his remit.

He made the statement as he announced Professor Malcolm Grant had been selected as the preferred candidate for the body.

The minister said he was looking forward to Professor Grant bringing his leadership skills to the position as the board "supports the development of clinical commissioning groups and secures for the NHS continuous improvement in the quality of services, reduction of health inequalities and delivers integrated, responsive services".

A qualified barrister and academic lawyer and currently president and provost of College London, Professor Grant is expected to assume his new role at the end of this month.

The NHS Commissioning Board is part of plans by the government to modernise the health service and Mr Lansley recently unveiled plans to alter operations management within the NHS in England in order to provide patients with more choice and information about referrals.

Government launches new advisory service for manufacturers

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:42:00 GMT

Sales and operations planning specialists may be interested in making use of a new Manufacturing Advisory Service that has been launched by the government.

Aimed at helping small and medium-sized companies in the sector who are looking at ways of improving manufacturers' processes and expanding their operations, the national scheme will cover England.

Business minister Mark Prisk unveiled the service and stated: "Manufacturing contributes half of Britain's exports and has much higher productivity than the rest of the economy so it is essential to our plans for growth."

A new Manufacturing Advisory Consortium (MAC) will deliver the service and will focus on providing strategic and technical support, continuous improvement, enhancing supply chains and apprenticeships.

An estimated 50,000 positions could be safeguarded and a further 23,000 created by the scheme, it has been predicted.

This week, the Office for National Statistics reported that there was a 1.5 per cent year-on-year increase in the UK Index of Manufacturing during August 2011.

Increase in UK manufacturing index during August

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:26:00 GMT

The annual UK Index of Manufacturing climbed by 1.5 per cent during August 2011 compared with the same month last year, official figures show.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), this increase is despite a one per cent decline year-on-year in the national Index of Production.

However, operations management professionals are advised that the data show there was a dip in manufacturing output of 0.3 per cent during the month from July to August 2011, while production rose over the period by 0.2 per cent.

The latest ONS report follows the September Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from Markit and the CIPS, which indicated activity in the manufacturing sector rose over the month to 51.1.

With any figure above 50 indicative of growth in the PMI, the climb saw the measure rise above this level following a contraction in August. September saw the domestic market showing signs of picking up, while new export orders declined over the month.

Government unveils proposals for patient-led NHS operations management

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:55:00 GMT

Plans to introduce changes to operations management within the NHS in England in order to provide greater patient choice have been unveiled.

Announced by health secretary Andrew Lansley, the proposals regarding referrals and information about NHS providers are a response to research indicating this is what members of the public want in terms of their treatment.

According to the poll, more than 80 per cent of respondents stated they wanted choice in the health service and almost three-quarters wanted to select which consultant provides their hospital care.

Commenting on the plans, which could come into force from April 2012, Mr Lansley said: "We know that transparency can drive up standards of care and improve services for patients and that's what this is all about."

The survey of 5,000 individuals about NHS healthcare also discovered that patient choice is of particular importance for older people and women, something that operations management professionals in the sector may wish to bear in mind.

Members of the House of Lords have been debating the government's healthcare modernisation bill for England this week.

Government plans aim to enhance manufacturing competitiveness

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:41:00 GMT

A £170 million investment by the government in the UK's manufacturing industry could enhance growth.

This is according to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which has declared that the funding will be used to support research in the field.

A new high value manufacturing technology and innovation centre has been unveiled, which will receive £140 million over the next six years, potentially enhancing continuous improvement efforts in industry.

In addition the Technology Strategy Board will run a competition seeking innovative new products for investment and a further contest alongside the Office for Low Emission Vehicles to back the development of low-carbon vehicles.

"Manufacturing has a key role to play in economic growth and rebalancing the economy, in particular driving exports and productivity," business secretary Vince Cable stated.

Recent figures from Markit and the CIPD revealed that there was an expansion of UK manufacturing activity in September this year as the sector rallied following a dip in August.

Government plans aim to enhance manufacturing competitiveness

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:41:00 GMT

Government plans aim to enhance manufacturing competitiveness

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:41:00 GMT

New transparency plans unveiled for NHS

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 10:51:00 GMT

Greater transparency will be a feature of the NHS in the future, according to the government.

New plans have been unveiled by the Department of Health aimed at enhancing operations management within the service by implementing a "Duty of Candour".

Taking the form of a contractual requirement, it also intended to boost safety within the service by placing a responsibility on providers to admit when mistakes have been made.

Part of continuous improvement and modernisation plans by the government, the Duty of Candour in healthcare will be enforceable and will offer greater access to information for patients or their families in the event of something going wrong.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley launched the proposals and a consultation on them, stating: "This is a key part of how a modern NHS should be - open and accountable to the public and patients to drive improvements in care."

Last month, the government published plans to strengthen the health service and stated it wants to place patient power and clinical leadership at the heart of NHS modernisation.

Improvement in UK services sector activity

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:52:00 GMT

Despite the challenging economic climate, the services sector of the UK economy witnessed growth during July 2011.

This is according to a report by the Office for National Statistics, which revealed the month in question expanded by 1.3 per cent year-on-year.

All components of the industry saw activity climb, with business services and finances standing 1.6 per cent higher over the 12 months covered by the latest index of services.

During the month in question, the seasonally-adjusted data showed output rose by 0.2 per cent compared with June 2011.

In addition, a new report from Markit and the CIPS may be of interest to operations management professionals in the services sector as it revealed growth of the industry returned to a "solid pace" last month.

The September statistics suggested the headline index climbed to 52.9 over the month from August and the pace of incoming new work improved, although there was a dip in confidence among respondents.

"A surprise uplift in growth is welcome news, coming on the back of a similar upturn in manufacturing, but masks the fact that all is not well in the UK services economy," remarked Markit chief economist Chris Williamson.

Strong operations management produces efficiency for Nissan

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:46:00 GMT

A good system of operations management is in place at carmaker Nissan and ensures the company is efficient and productive.

The 1-2-1 Supply Chain Excellence Summit next month will see the firm outline its lean manufacturing philosophy and explain how it designs solutions to enhance process flow.

Bruce Taylor, head of operations at the manufacturer's Sunderland site, will discuss issues relating to training, standard work and continuous improvement during the conference in Birmingham, Supply Chain Standard reports.

The Sunderland Nissan facility is often hailed as the most productive carmaking plant in Europe and Mr Taylor will explain the "virtuous cycle" it has put in place to achieve this.

It operates an integrated supply chain that will provide the focus of one of eight major case studies being presented at the event, with other topics being covered during the course of the gathering including supply chain disruption and risk, managing growing costs and strategic cooperation.

Nissan practices Kaizen, a system of continuous improvement developed in Japan.

Philips Respironics hailed for continuous improvement and lean efforts

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 10:30:00 GMT

Philips Respironics New Kensington has been awarded for its continuous improvement in the field of operations management by winning Assembly magazine and The Boston Consulting Group's 2011 Plant of the Year prize.

The 172,000-square-foot facility near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - which assembles electromechanical medical devices - received praise for its "lean manufacturing principles" and its ongoing commitment to employee-driven improvement.

Austin Webber, senior editor of Assembly, said: "Philips New Kensington is a model of excellence for high-volume manufacturing. Employees are organised into self-managed work teams, and this has produced remarkable results and innovations."

Shipping to more than 60 countries worldwide, the company was formed by biomedical engineer Jerry McGinnis in 1976.

Meanwhile, the most recent Markit and Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Purchasing Managers' Index for the month of September revealed the UK saw a "moderate" expansion in the manufacturing sector, rising from a figure of 49.4 in August to 51.1.

UK manufacturing industry witnesses expansion in September

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:14:00 GMT

Last month saw the UK's manufacturing industry return to growth, it has been reported.

The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector showed the measure stood at 51.1 in September, ahead of the 50 mark indicative of expansion.

According to the data from Markit and the CIPS, the PMI showed signs of contraction in August, but has rallied over the past month.

However, new export orders declined sharply over the period in question, indicating overseas sales are weakening, although there were climbs in overall new business and output as the domestic market appeared to pick up.

August saw the PMI stand at a revised 49.4 on a seasonally-adjusted basis, with production up in September as operations management specialists worked on rapidly clearing backlogs of work.

Markit senior economist Rob Dobson commented: "The modest return to growth of UK manufacturing output in September is a positive, but it is hard to escape the fact that the sector's performance has weakened substantially."

A recent report by the Confederation of British Industry showed that despite economic uncertainty within Europe, UK manufacturers are continuing to forecast rising output over the coming quarter.

Manufacturers advised to do more to reduce waste

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:32:00 GMT

The European Union (EU) Waste Framework Directive is providing a "wake up call" to both UK manufacturers and the government, it has been claimed.

According to EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, more action is needed to ensure that zero targets for rubbish are met and combat barriers to achieving these.

In addition, the industry body wants ministers to improve the current waste strategy, something that may prompt operations management professionals to adopt lean manufacturing techniques.

The new EU directive, which is now in force, requires businesses to adhere to new regulations regarding the treatment of waste and to develop a "waste hierarchy" that places landfill as a last option.

"Recovery and recycling have now reached a mature stage within company operations and industry can only make further progress if government unlocks barriers created by lack of investment in infrastructure," said EEF head of climate and environment Gareth Stace.

EEF has also called on the British government to do more to reduce the burden of red tape on manufacturers after a report demonstrated that progress is being made in this area.

High street sales decline ''showing signs of stabilising''

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:21:00 GMT

A decline in high street sales in recent months appears to be stabilising, according to a new report.

This is the claim made in a study by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), which has noted that sales contracted year-on-year during September 2011, something operations management professionals in retail may be interested to learn.

However, the pace of decline appears to be moderating, the organisation suggested, with sales volumes growth standing at -15 per cent this month, almost unchanged from the -14 per cent recorded in August.

Although the pace of contraction was worse than expected, the CBI pointed out that falling purchasing was reported across all the major retail sub-sectors, with furniture and carpets, department stores, clothing and footwear and leather sales most severely affected.

"With the consumer squeeze set to get tighter with the winter utility bills rise, we expect retailers will face a challenging October," predicted Judith McKenna, chair of the CBI Distributive Trades Panel.

Continuous improvement policies may be used more widely by retailers, as the British Retail Consortium recently warned that companies in the non-food sector in particular may be finding current conditions more difficult than recent government data indicates.

Police forces hailed for continuous improvement

Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:37:00 GMT

A leading police expert has praised Scottish forces for their commitment to continuous improvement in the face of financial challenges.

Andrew Laing noted the country has witnessed a decline in reported crime to a 35-year low, alongside the delivery of £80.3 million in efficiency savings over the past 12 months through effective operations management.

The new HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS), he explained that a further £18.5 million in savings had also been achieved and stated that strong leadership had contributed towards this, with public confidence in the eight police forces concerned increasing.

Mr Laing added: "As we enter a significant period of reform, the challenge will be in both maintaining that performance while delivering the reform."

The "great professionalism and courage" of police officers during the riots in England were recently praised by leader for uniformed operations at the Association of Chief Police Officers Chief Constable Meredydd Hughes.

Manufacturing industry ''needs continuous improvement on reducing red tape''

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:00:00 GMT

A new report is expected to show that efforts to reduce the burden of red tape on the manufacturing sector are starting to have an effect.

However, despite improvements in the level of regulation faced by such companies, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, has called for more to be done by the government.

The body's director of policy Steve Radley welcomed action by ministers to tackle red tape, but declared the industry "is now looking to see the new approach deliver real change" and called for continuous improvement in this area.

He pointed to forthcoming legislation - such as the national pension savings scheme - as examples of cases where the government needs to outline plans to reduce the burden placed by such rules on employers.

Mr Radley added MPs must also "ensure that any progress at home is not undone by the need to implement expensive and badly-designed directives from Europe".

The Agency Worker Regulations come into force on October 1st 2011, providing additional rights to those on temporary contracts.

UK manufacturers continuing to predict output growth

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Manufacturers in Britain are forecasting an increase in output over the next quarter, a new survey indicates.

Research by the Confederation of British Industry may be of interest to manufacturing management professionals, as it shows that companies in the sector remain optimistic, despite a contraction in new orders over September.

According to the business organisation, the balance of orders above normal stood at minus nine per cent in its latest industrial trends poll, although this is higher than a long-term average of minus 18 per cent.

Of the 470 respondents to the survey, the balance predicting rising output during the next three months stood at plus nine per cent, while those questioned stated that stock levels remained strong in September and pricing pressures climbed slightly.

CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty suggested the slowdown in demand may have been linked to uncertainty in global financial markets.

The Purchasing Managers' Index for UK manufacturing contracted during August this year, data from Markit and the CIPS indicated as domestic demand was subdued and business conditions deteriorated.

Manufacturing automation project receives £600k

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 14:58:00 GMT

A £600,000 grant has been provided by the government to a project aimed at enhancing manufacturing management through automation.

The scheme, managed by the British Automation and Robot Association (BARA), is aimed at increasing investment in the technology.

It is effective immediately and will run until March 2013, providing impartial and independent advice about ways in which automation solutions can be implemented to reduce waste, improve efficiency, boost profits and enhance productivity.

The project to enhance production processes is targeted largely at small and medium-sized enterprises and could assist them in improving their operations management.

BARA president Mike Wilson stated: "If UK manufacturing is to fulfill its potential of becoming a significant force in global markets then automation needs to be at its very heart."

Office for National Statistics figures have demonstrated an increase in the UK's index of production of 1.9 per cent between July 2010 and the same month of 2011, the 18th rise in a row.

CILT(UK) 2011 EGM

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Notice of CILT(UK) 2011 Extraordinary General Meeting.

CILT(UK) 2011 EGM

Notice is hereby given that: the Extraordinary General Meeting of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK will be held at the Hallam Street Conference Centre, 44 Hallam Street, London W1W 6JJ on Thursday 20 October 2011 commencing at 3.00pm to conduct the following business:

As Special Business

1. To consider and if thought fit adopt the Articles of Association as amended.

Dated 16th September 2011
By Order of the Board
Richard Ebbage
Company Secretary

Details in respect of voting and appointing a proxy will be available via the Institute's website, alternatively email secretary@ciltuk.org.uk or write to the above address or fax to +44 (0) 1536 740101 or phone +44 (0) 1536 740100 for details. NB: please head up all forms of written correspondence '2011 EGM'.

Lean manufacturing ''could save food and drink firms £404m''

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 11:20:00 GMT

Operations management strategies could offer a way of companies operating in the food and drink sector to reduce the amount of waste they produce, potentially generating savings of £404 million.

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has recommended businesses in the industry adopt lean manufacturing techniques in order to cut levels of rubbish generated and embed the concept of tackling landfill in their company culture.

"Companies have made massive strides in diverting waste from landfill, but part of the problem is waste prevention, which is trickier," explained Estelle Herszenhorn of WRAP.

According to the WRAP report, introducing changes to product lines, waste management, spillage allowances and other operations could help businesses to meet environmental commitments and help them to reduce expenditure.

Earlier this year, WRAP revealed that a dairy in Dorset is being powered by energy produced from food waste generated by the manufacture of cream, milk and other dairy products.

Operations management at new Jaguar Land Rover plant

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 14:59:00 GMT

A new facility that is being established in the UK by Jaguar Land Rover may employ operations management techniques such as lean manufacturing.

The plant will be built in Wolverhampton and will provide 750 new jobs in the Midlands as a result, some of which may be for those holding an APICS qualification.

Under the plans by the automotive giant, £355 million will be invested in the high-value manufacturing site.

The news was welcomed by prime minister Nick Clegg and Vince Cable, the business secretary, who predicted the move will provide a substantial economic boost to the region.

"JLR choosing Wolverhampton for its new engine plant in the face of tough international competition is a tremendous boost for manufacturing in the UK and the West Midlands in particular," Dr Cable stated.

A recent Office for National Statistics report showed there was a 1.9 per cent rise year-on-year in the UK's index of production during July 2011, with manufacturing output rising by 0.1 per cent from June this year.

Glaxo-McLaren partnership to boost operations management

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:04:00 GMT

A new strategic partnership has been forged between pharmaceutical giant GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and Formula 1 team McLaren in a bid to enhance operations management at the former.

Under the plans, the two companies will establish a £20 million research facility that will focus on ways of using McLaren technology to enhance maintenance and customer service.

The two organisations propose working together for a period of five years, with the centre at the Surrey headquarters of McLaren offering a base to carry out innovative analytics and modelling.

By improving its manufacturing management techniques, GSK hopes to achieve "world class performance" throughout its operations between now and 2016.

"This partnership is another example of GSK looking outside its sector for inspiration and fresh perspectives on how we can achieve our strategic goals in an ever more challenging and fast changing business environment," said Andrew Witty, GSK chief executive.

Multinational drugs and healthcare specialist GSK operates in more than 100 countries worldwide and has substantial research facilities in the UK, Belgium, China and the US.

Continuous improvement ''should form part of recruitment strategies''

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:23:00 GMT

Employing continuous improvement strategies can help recruiters to improve their treatment of disabled candidates.

This is the claim made by E.ON HR director Maria Antoniou at an event for HR professionals on the subject, at which she explained that the company has adopted best practice in order to become an inclusive employer.

She stated that a 'feedback loop' implemented in the operations management process provides the company with "every opportunity to embrace continuous improvement in all aspects of our recruitment strategies".

Ms Antoniou was attending the launch of a new scheme led by E.ON and BT, in conjunction with the Department for Work and Pensions, which will see a new framework introduced for recruitment practice in a bid to increase the number of disabled people in employment.

Continuous improvement strategies can be used in a wide range of situations, with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council recently announcing that it had implemented new systems for fuel management using such strategies.

Waste levels ''increasing in UK services sector''

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 08:51:00 GMT

The levels of waste produced by the UK's commercial services sector are poised to overtake that generated by industrial manufacturing.

Findings released at the Recycling & Waste Management (RWM) Exhibition 2011 may increase interesting in lean operations management principles within the industry, as a sharp fall in waste from manufacturing has been recorded in recent years, Environmental Data Interactive reports.

According to the Rubbish Economy report - produced for RWM and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management by consultancy Urban Mines - rising landfill taxes and improvements in manufacturing management and efficiency have driven down production waste.

Recycling and composting were found to be the preferred methods of diverting rubbish, while growth in the thermal treatment and energy-from-waste fields was found to be slower.

Peter Scholes, managing director of Urban Mines, stated: "We expect to see fewer tonnes of traditional industrial waste such as sludges and chemicals, but potentially an increase in commercial waste like recyclables and similar materials."

The RWM Exhibition is taking place this week (between September 13th and 15th 2011) at the Birmingham NEC, featuring seminars, more than 600 companies exhibiting from around the world and networking events.

Scotland defies UK manufacturing downturn

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Despite sluggish performance in the overall UK manufacturing industry, Scotland appears to be faring better, a new report reveals.

In news that may be welcome by those involved in manufacturing management in Scotland, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the country shows it saw production in the sector rise at its fastest rate in four months.

Furthermore, the latest report from Bank of Scotland and Markit reveals growth of new business reached a four-month high, although there was a slight drop in private sector jobs from July.

"There was a particularly welcome rise in new export orders which extended the current sequence of growth to ten months," revealed Bank of Scotland chief economist Donald MacRae.

Service sector activity affected the overall rate of growth, which slowed in August to deliver a PMI reading of 52.7, down from 53.5 the previous month.

Data from Markit and the CIPS for August showed that the UK as a whole witnessed a contraction in activity during the month, with output driven down by a weakening of export orders.

Nissan operations management policies hailed

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 10:40:00 GMT

Carmaker Nissan is "regarded internationally as an exemplar of manufacturing productivity" and has invested significantly in operations management in the UK.

An article in the Financial Times states that the company has focused on policies such as continuous improvement that have now become mainstream within the sector.

The carmaker has marked 25 years of operation in the UK, with its manufacturing plant in Sunderland opening on September 8th 1986 and some 133 employees from the original workforce still employed at the factory.

Margaret Thatcher attended the official launch and the Wearside facility has undergone substantial change since then, according to the news source, with it challenging "established plants and practices".

Kevin Fitzpatrick, vice-president for UK manufacturing, stated: "I can't contemplate what the north-east would look like without a successful Nissan."

The motor manufacturer was founded in Yokohama, Japan, in 1933 by Nikon Sangyo and Tobata Imono as Jidosha-Seido, with the former taking on sole ownership a year later and renaming it Nissan Motor Company.

Aunt Bessie''s credits solution with enhancing continuous improvement

Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:05:00 GMT

The continuous improvement processes at food manufacturer Aunt Bessie's have been enhanced with the adoption of technology.

According to the company's supply planning manager Chris Buckle, implementation of the Preactor QAD enterprise resource planning (ERP) system has led to enhanced planning and scheduling, as well as better stock handling.

Speaking to Works Management, he stated that the Hull-based brand also saw process change along its production lines through enhanced visibility that boosted response times, particularly when incidents take place.

"Now we can see much more quickly when a problem is occurring and investigate different scenarios for dealing with it," Mr Buckle stated.

The publication - which is focusing on issues relating to advanced planning and scheduling in its latest issue - noted that APS has been central to bringing operations more closely together with maintenance and embedding the latter in production plans.

Guidon Performance Solutions recently advised that business architects are playing a growing role in continuous improvement by working alongside business process executives.

Government announces future plans for NHS

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Proposals have been unveiled by the government that could affect operations management professionals working in the NHS.

The plans, which could prompt continuous improvement activity, are intended to provide greater control for patients and health professionals.

Following the summer recess, the Health and Social Care Bill has undergone further debate in Parliament as part of efforts by ministers to modernise the health service.

The plans are intended to strengthen the NHS, with providers required to be more transparent about mistakes and to concentrate on prevention of problems and combating health inequalities.

According to the health secretary Andrew Lansley, principles "which are widely accepted as reported by the independent NHS Future Forum" - such as patient power and clinical leadership - are at the heart of the modernisation proposals.

However, there have been challenges to the bill, with the British Medical Association calling on MPs to oppose it and warning that the NHS could be placed at risk by the plans.

Government announces future plans for NHS

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Government announces future plans for NHS

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:55:00 GMT

UK manufacturing increases in July 2010

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:49:00 GMT

Operations management professionals have learned that a year-on-year increase of 1.9 per cent was recorded in the UK's index of production between July 2010 and the same month of this year.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the sector witnessed steady growth on a seasonally-adjusted basis over the 12 months to July 2011, the 18th consecutive rise.

In addition, there was a 0.1 per cent increase in manufacturing output over the month from June 2011, despite an overall decline in production of 0.2 per cent.

Electrical and optical equipment businesses may wish to enhance their manufacturing management processes after the industry was found to have driven the market during July 2011.

Seven out of the 13 manufacturing sectors analysed saw growth, including coke, refined petroleum and nuclear fuels, while the remainder contracted between June and July this year.

The UK's index of production dipped by 0.7 per cent year-on-year in July 2011, with sharp declines in mining and quarrying output and a fall in energy market activity.

BDO and EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, recently reported that manufacturers in the UK are continuing to witness growth and expect further hiring and investment in the future, despite the current economic uncertainty.

Services sector witnesses August dip in activity

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:12:00 GMT

Activity within the services sector declined during August 2011, however it continued to record growth, operations management professionals are advised.

According to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industry, the measure fell to its slowest rate of expansion during the month, dipping by 4.3 points to 51.1, just above the 50 mark for increases.

The report from Markit and the CIPS showed a slowdown in new business being awarded to companies, combined with global economic uncertainty, which affected overall confidence, pushing it down to a 12-month low.

Service providers have become more cautious and employment fell in August, while there were indications that the rioting and public disorder taking place in a number of UK cities during the month may also have affected the market.

"Allied with soft manufacturing data and a slowdown in construction growth, the overall picture provided by the latest PMI surveys is one of a stuttering UK private sector," commented Markit senior economist Paul Smith.

Across the Eurozone of the European Union, Markit reported that services confidence plummeted to a 28-month low, while the PMI for August 2011 stood at 51.5, as new business figures fell in all nations except France.

Government data on ambulance operations management released

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 14:50:00 GMT

New figures examining operations management in the ambulance service have been published by the government.

The quality data from the Department of Health, ordered by health secretary Andrew Lansley, provide information about the performance of trusts in this area, including the fact that more than one-third (33.4 per cent) of all calls were resolved successfully without requiring patients to be transported to accident and emergency (A&E) departments.

Based on the standard of treatment received by patients and the outcomes of it, the report covers a wider remit than simply response times, although this remains a major factor and targets continue to be in place for the most seriously ill patients.

"The data published for the first time today show that there is variation in the results for patients across the country," Mr Lansley noted, adding this information can be used for continuous improvement of the service.

It comes after a series of quality indicators were released for A&E department based on eight clinical measures created by senior clinicians.

Operations management pressures ''being reported by UK manufacturers''

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:18:00 GMT

Pressures on operations management officials such as supply chain constraints, limited spare capacity and lengthening lead times are being reported by the manufacturing industry.

This is the claim made by chief economist at EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, Lee Hopley, who explained that a contraction of activity in the sector seen in the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) should not necessarily be interpreted as "the beginning of a significant downturn".

She stated that the body is seeing evidence "on the ground that manufacturers are still busy, although more wary about the future".

Ms Hopley's remarks come after Markit and the CIPS reported that there was a contraction of manufacturing output in the UK during August this year, following a decline recorded in July.

However, she pointed out that although there is an indication that activity is softening as a result of "growing global economic challenges", a cautious approach should be adopted in interpreting such information as there is evidence that production is continuing.

Further contraction of UK manufacturing

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:22:00 GMT

Individuals concerned with lean techniques and continuous improvement are advised that the UK's manufacturing industry witnessed a further contraction in August this year.

According to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector, last month saw export orders weaken and a decline in employment.

Compiled by Markit and the CIPS, the report suggests that manufacturing could "slide back into recession", having witnessed a contraction in July on subdued domestic demand levels.

The measure dropped from 49.4 the previous month to 49 in August, marking its lowest point in 26 months and indicating that business conditions are continuing to deteriorate, dropping sharply from a record high announced in January this year.

Commenting on the PMI, Markit chief economist Chris Williamson warned: "Manufacturers are likely to cut production further in coming months to allow inventories to fall again."

PricewaterhouseCoopers recently issued advice to companies in the sector to enhance the operations management of their supply chains in order to safeguard them against the effects of the global economic downturn and disasters such as the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March.

UK government urged to support manufacturing

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:29:00 GMT

The government in Britain should provide greater support for the manufacturing industry, in a similar way to that seen in Germany, one industry leader has declared.

In an interview with the Financial Times, chairman and owner of JCB Sir Anthony Bamford stated the UK should emulate the European nation by committing more strongly to the sector and ensuring banks provide finance to such companies.

He noted: "There are four or five main banks in Britain, while there are a few hundred [including local savings and co-operative banks] in Germany."

In comments that may be of interest to operations management professionals, Sir Anthony told the news source that this system allows for greater lending to small and medium-sized enterprises and would enable the government to refocus and rebalance the economy away from financial services.

The expert advocated businesses follow his company's pattern and remain private in order to generate long-term sustainable growth and investment.

Figures from Markit and the CIPS for July showed a contraction of the manufacturing industry over the month from June for the first time in two years, as domestic demand for products weakened.

A&E quality data could inform operations management

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 14:10:00 GMT

Operations management professionals working in the NHS could employ new quality statistics for accident and emergency (A&E) departments in order to enhance their strategies.

The A&E data are the first of their kind to be released by the Department for Health and are intended to improve the transparency of services by using eight clinical quality indicators developed by senior clinicians.

Rather than a single standard based on the time in which patients are seen, A&E performance is now rated against a series of measures that include the number of people leaving hospitals without being seen, those who have to attend again within a week and initial assessment times.

"The figures published today will help the NHS drive up the standards of care, improve patients' experience and shine a light on where A&Es can improve," Mr Lansley declared.

Figures relating to MRSA cases were recently improved by Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire, which reported that it had seen a total of 500 consecutive days without a case occurring as a result of continuous improvement efforts.

IOM Members make the grade for the 20th Best Factory Awards

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to Coopervision and ConvaTec Ltd on making it through to the finals of the Best Factory Awards (BFA) recently announced by Cranfield School of Management. Both organisations employ a number of individual IOM members and have made use of the IOM’s Lean workshop programme to improve their internal processes. Well done and good luck for the finals.

The award programme celebrates manufacturing excellence in the UK and is run by Cranfield School of Management in partnership with the magazine Works Management.

Among the contenders for the coveted overall prize of BFA Factory of the Year are plants that produce goods as diverse as soft contact lenses and scanning electron microscopes.

Dr Marek Szwejczewski, Director of the Best Factory Awards commented: “Now in its 20th year, the finalists in this year’s Best Factory Awards show how a dedicated approach to continuous improvement and innovation can deliver superior results. Those shortlisted are manufacturers that are experiencing high profits and growth, with many exporting a high proportion of what they produce. Key to all of their success is a continued investment in their workforce which is so critical in the current climate.”

This year 14 plants have been shortlisted:

Aimia Foods, Haydock, St Helens - The plant operates extensive co-packing and outsourcing facilities for the vending and food service industries and is an independent specialist in hot and cold drinks.
Arla Foods, Lockerbie - Producers of bottled milk for supermarkets.
Barfoots of Botley Ltd, Pagham, West Sussex - Suppliers of sweet corn cobs to supermarkets and restaurants.
Camfil Farr, Haslingden, Lancashire - Producers of air filters for industrial and medical application.
Carefusion, Basingstoke, Hampshire - Assemble and test infusion pumps for use in hospitals.
Carl Zeiss NTS Ltd, Cambridge – Manufacturers of scanning electron microscopes.
ConvaTec Ltd, Deeside, Flintshire – Manufacturers of ostomy products and dressings for wounds and burns.
CooperVision, Southampton – Manufacturers of soft contact lenses.
Fujifilm Speciality Ink Systems Ltd, Broadstairs, Kent – Producers of printing inks for digital printers.
Gurit Ltd, Newport, Isle of Wight – Providers of composite materials for marine and wind energy industries.
H.C. Starck Ltd, Calne, Wiltshire - Manufacturers of molybdenum semiconductor components used as carriers and contact plates for silicon wafers in thyristors, transistors and diodes.
LDS Test & Measurement Ltd, Royston, Hertfordshire – Producers of vibration test equipment for aerospace, automotive, defence and general industries.
Parker Hannifin Ltd, Birtley, Durham - Manufacturers of process filtration products.
Robert Bion & Co Ltd, Reading, Berkshire – Suppliers of metal and plastic perforated sheets.

The winners will be announced at the BFA Awards Ceremony taking place on 30th September at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London.

Manufacturing firms urged to protect supply chains

Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:32:00 GMT

Businesses in the manufacturing sector need to step up their operations management to protect their supply chains from financial uncertainty, one accounting firm has warned.

According to PwC, global supply chains have been put at risk by recent events such as the economic downturn and Japanese earthquake.

A new report from the company, titled Achieving excellence in production and supply, concluded businesses should look to retain talented workers, improve partnerships with their suppliers and customers, address risks to their supply chain and maximise lifecycle opportunities.

Head of the global industrial manufacturing group at PwC Barry Misthal noted the manufacturing industry has endured a "rollercoaster ride".

"With the current volatility of geopolitical, economic and financial markets, businesses need to research their risk areas and mitigate where they can in areas such as lifecycles, demand planning and skill shortages," he remarked.

Optimism among manufacturers has declined over the last quarter, with research by KPMG and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development revealing it now stands at plus 11 points, down from plus 32 three months previously.

Continuous improvement efforts see council improve fuel control

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:57:00 GMT

A local authority's continuous improvement policies have seen it implement new systems for fuel management.

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council upgraded its Davyfield Road depot - a resource used by several departments - by installing new tanks and a fuel gauging system.

Faryad Hussain, executive member for environmental improvement and sustainability, explained reports will be produced that can aid in strategic planning, ultimately helping meet the authority's goals for carbon reduction.

"We are constantly striving to improve the efficiency of operations and reduce cost," he said.

The decision to upgrade the system, which has been supplied by Fueltek, was driven by concerns about the cost of fuel, environmental protection and carbon emissions, among other factors.

Earlier this month, the council announced it is selling off several pieces of equipment - such as skips, woodwork machinery and snow chains - in an effort to clear space and raise money to reinvest in services.

Manufacturers expect production growth, survey shows

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:17:00 GMT

Manufacturers' expectations of output growth are improving despite the volatility of the market, research has shown.

A balance of 13 per cent of firms surveyed by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) predicted production would rise over the next quarter - seven percentage points higher than the long-term average.

However, Richard Woolhouse, head of fiscal policy at the CBI, noted the sentiment is not as strong as it was earlier in the year.

"The risks to manufacturing activity and business confidence have, if anything, increased, due to market volatility and the recalibration of growth expectations worldwide," he said.

An easing of inflationary pressure was one of the factors cited as contributing to improved expectations, with fewer firms predicting a need to increase their prices.

However, research by KPMG and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development earlier this month revealed confidence among manufacturers had fallen, with hiring intentions reflecting this.

Material price increases could prompt operations management solutions

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 13:46:00 GMT

Companies are turning to new strategies in order to counteract the effects on their businesses of rising material costs.

This is the claim made by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation and RBS in a new report, which reveals volatile prices are prompting "radical solutions" among businesses.

As inflation climbs for manufacturers, some may turn to operations management and lean techniques in order to ensure their pricing remains competitive, as the study pointed out that almost half of businesses have redesigned products or processes as input costs climb.

In addition, it discovered that cheaper alternatives are being substituted for some materials and many companies have sourced different suppliers in order to cut spending.

"Whilst most attention is focused on the inflationary aspects of these costs, the flipside is another story of the extent to which companies are finding innovative solutions to deal with them," EEF chief economist Lee Hopley stated.

Ms Hopley recently remarked that trading conditions for the manufacturing industry are likely to become more challenging over the coming months, as domestic demand remains weak.

Measurement and mentoring ''key to operations management''

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 09:18:00 GMT

The importance of measuring the impact of lean maintenance policies has been highlighted in a new report, which examines common mistakes made in this area.

According to Industry Week, a lack of corporate coaches and mentors in the field can also hamper such operations management efforts, as can failing to ensure all employees are on board with the exercise.

In the article by Advanced Technology Services director Mike Fitzgerald, he stated that choosing the wrong project to start with and failure to invest in resources such as training, materials and administrative support are also common ways in which projects fail.

Mr Fitzgerald explained that those manufacturers implementing lean concepts can take "months if not years" before they realise that maintenance issues are restricting their effectiveness.

"It's not uncommon for companies to jump into the lean philosophy, yet not understand how far it will reach into the organization," he declared.

Lean is the process of improving the efficiency of processes in order to minimise waste.

Local authority wins health and safety praise for continuous improvement

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 11:46:00 GMT

Continuous improvement has led to a local authority winning a second accolade for health and safety.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recognised South Derbyshire District Council with a gold award in May and has now given it the Best New Entry title for 2011.

A total of 180 entrants were narrowed down to five and judges were impressed with the authority's health and safety management systems, accident records and workforce involvement - making it the unanimous choice from the shortlist.

The prize is to be presented next month and awards manager at RoSPA David Rawlins stated: "Organisations that have demonstrated their commitment to continuous improvement in accident and ill health prevention deserve recognition."

Earlier this month, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire noted continuous improvement policies had helped reduce cases of MRSA, having reached a landmark of 500 days without any cases of the infection.

Manufacturing sector witnesses dip in employer confidence

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 11:24:00 GMT

Those working in operations management are advised a new survey indicates confidence among employers in the industry has fallen.

Individuals with an APICS qualification could see their roles become more challenging after KPMG and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development revealed hiring intentions over the coming months look more muted than they have been during the past year.

A survey of more than 1,000 employers by the organisations revealed employment recovery within the sector is likely to slow, as optimism among manufacturers has declined from plus 32 three months ago to plus 11.

According to the quarterly Labour Market Outlook, there are significant differences emerging within the various regions of the country, with confidence relatively high in the south of England compared with the north.

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics showed that there was a year-on-year increase in manufacturing output in June 2011 of 2.1 per cent, but activity in the sector dipped by 0.4 per cent from May.

Lean techniques adopted by Bolton hospital

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:35:00 GMT

Executives at the Royal Bolton Hospital have been looking at lean manufacturing techniques used by the carmaking industry in order to enhance operations management at the facility.

According to the Bolton News, the institution has delivered savings of over £8 million and boosted patient care by adopting methodologies employed by Japanese and Korean automotive companies.

Each process at the hospital was analysed in order to assess ways in which it could be enhanced in a process of continuous improvement that has paid dividends and made it one of the leading medical centres in global efforts to reduce waste.

The Bolton Improving Care System was established in 2006 and head of lean transformation Joyce Furnival told the news source that over the past two years alone, more than £3.8 million of savings have been made.

She added: "This is not about money though, it is about improving care and we are patient-centred."

The success of the Bolton programme could prompt people to take an APICS qualification, as could a recent report that Nottingham's Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has used continuous improvement strategies to push down cases of MRSA.

Operations management prize awarded to Leyland Trucks

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:27:00 GMT

Manufacturer Leyland Trucks has been named as the recipient of the Shingo Bronze Medallion.

The company was given the prize in honour of its efforts to create a culture of continuous improvement by the Jon M Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.

Named after Dr Shigeo Shingo, a Japanese industrial engineer, it recognises operational excellence in the manufacturing industry and has been described as "the Nobel prize" of the sector by BusinessWeek.

"This is an outstanding achievement for Leyland Trucks who are only the third UK company to be recognised with the global Shingo award," chief executive of The Manufacturing Institute Julie Madigan stated, adding that it reflects the dedication to quality of the firm's employees.

A division of PACCAR, Leyland Trucks will receive the honour at the 24th Annual Shingo Prize Awards Gala in May next year.

Previous UK recipients of the Shingo Bronze Medallion were Lancashire-based companies BAE Systems and Ultraframe UK.

Operations management prize awarded to Leyland Trucks

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 13:27:00 GMT

CILT(UK) Board of Directors and Trustees Elections 2011

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

In parallel with the proposal to introduce better governance nominations are sought from Members interested in standing for election for five Director and Trustee vacancies.

The process requires candidates to provide a short manifesto which will be published in September 2011. In addition to the written manifesto, candidates have the option to record a short video version. This should be emailed to secretary@ciltuk.org.uk by 2nd September 2011.

Eligible Members are invited to offer themselves as candidates for election by submitting a completed nomination form.

For more information regarding the election process, please visit the member’s area.

NHS trust employs continuous improvement to tackle MRSA

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:08:00 GMT

Continuous improvement policies have been implemented at a health organisation in the Midlands in order to drive down cases of MRSA.

Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Nottinghamshire has revealed that its efforts against the superbug have resulted in a total of 500 consecutive days without a single case of the hospital-acquired infection.

Procedures in place include strict hand hygiene measures, protocols to mimimise cross infection risks, admission screening and enhanced environmental cleaning standards.

The landmark without any cases of trust-acquired MRSA in hospital patients has been welcomed by chief executive Carolyn White, who remarked: "We are not complacent and will continue to prioritise efforts to continue to reduce the incidence of infections at our hospitals."

MRSA can prove dangerous if it gets into wounds or into an individual's bloodstream, with patients admitted at facilities operated by the trust swapped and screened for any signs of the bug and given eradication therapy if it is found on their skin.

Many NHS bodies are employing continuous improvement methods in infection prevention and control, including Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London.

June 2011 witnesses year-on-year manufacturing increase

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:22:00 GMT

The UK saw manufacturing output rise over the year to June 2011, official figures reveal.

Operations management professionals have learnt that the latest Index of Production from the Office for National Statistics shows a 0.3 per cent fall on a seasonally-adjusted basis during the 12 months.

However, the manufacturing measure for the period in question expanded by 2.1 per cent, the 17th such rise in a row.

A less optimistic picture of manufacturing output was revealed between May and June 2011, with activity declining by 0.4 per cent, pushed down by a drop in production of transport equipment and paper, printing and publishing and offset by growth in output of textiles, leather and clothing.

This is in line with the Purchasing Managers' Index for the sector from Markit and the CIPS, which fell between June and July 2011 to below the 50 mark signifying expansion to stand at 49.1, suggesting its first contraction in two years.

June 2011 witnesses year-on-year manufacturing increase

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:22:00 GMT

Health sector to adopt lean principles regarding medicine wastage

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 13:52:00 GMT

The UK's health sector is planning to adopt operations management principles with regard to medicine wastage in order to reduce spending.

An estimated £300 million lost annually throughout the NHS could be recovered by implementing lean techniques, according to the Department of Health.

There were more than 900 million prescription items dispensed in 2010 and the government is providing support to the health services to deliver efficiency savings between now and 2015 to ensure unnecessary wastage in this area is curbed.

Health minister Lord Howe, who announced the plans, stated: "By reducing medicine wastage the NHS will save money that can be spent in other areas of patient care."

Measures are also being put in place to ensure people take their medicines properly in order to reduce the more than £500 million wasted each year in this area.

Also in the NHS, proposals were recently announced for long-term care as part of efforts to roll out innovative new systems in this area across the health service.

Manufacturing activity rises in Scotland

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:49:00 GMT

The Scottish manufacturing industry has witnessed a rise in activity during July this year.

According to the latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from Bank of Scotland and Markit, the pace of expansion over the month was "robust", with output growing at its fastest pace for three months.

In addition, operations management professionals are advised the nation also witnessed a rise in activity within the services sector, which has seen growth accelerate at a faster pace than manufacturing activity.

The report shows overall PMI rose from 53.3 in June to 53.5, although levels of new business were only marginally improved over the month in question and employment remained largely unchanged.

Bank of Scotland chief economist Donald MacRae remarked: "The results of this month’s PMI suggest a modest and muted recovery in the Scottish economy."

In related news, the CIPS and Markit PMI for the whole of the UK recently revealed that July saw a contraction in the manufacturing sector, with the measure falling to 49.1, its first decline below 50 for two years.

Continuous improvement strategy leads to freight standard award

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 16:02:00 GMT

Kintetsu World Express has recently achieved the ISO 9001 international management standard.

The freight company was praised particularly for its implementation of a continuous improvement strategy across its operations at a certification event, HGV Ireland reports.

Held by the National Standards Authority of Ireland, it saw John Valley of Kintetsu World Express collect the award from small business minister John Perry.

"Globally-recognised standards such as ISO provides you with instant credibility, they differentiate your products, services and business," Mr Perry noted.

At the event NSAI chief executive Maurice Buckley called on other businesses to adopt standards and gain certification in order to boost their commercial success.

Specialising in the transportation of goods on behalf of the medical devices, electronics and pharmaceuticals industries, Kintetsu World Express generates turnover of more than €15 million (£13 million) a year and operates two centres in Cork and Dublin.

Logistics firm Bibby Distribution recently credited continuous improvement initiatives with improving its growth over the past three years.

Accelerated increase in UK service sector activity

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:00:00 GMT

Activity in the UK service sector expanded at an accelerated rate during July this year, new figures indicate.

According to the latest Business Activity Index for the industry, new business volumes pushed up the measure to its highest rate in four months, climbing from 53.9 in June to 55.4, with any number above 50 suggestive of growth.

In addition, July 2011 also saw price indices dip and respondents reported improvements in demand and market conditions, with sharp gains recorded in the IT and computing and business services sectors.

However, there was a slight fall in employment within the service sector and fears over the future performance of the UK economy continued to dampen optimism.

Commenting on the figures, Markit senior economist Paul Smith stated: "A key question will be whether July’s above average increase in service sector activity can be sustained going forward."

The improvement in service sector output comes after the manufacturing industry contracted for the first time in two years during July.

NHS long-term care operations management plans unveiled

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:55:00 GMT

Long-term care proposals, part of efforts by the Department of Health to enhance operations management within the NHS, have been unveiled.

Under the plans, services for those people with long-term conditions could undergo continuous improvement by rolling out innovative work taking place across the organisation.

By adopting new systems nationwide, it is thought that the number of unnecessary trips to hospital and hospital bed days could be substantially reduced and the lives of more than 15 million patients improved.

They will include measures to lower the number of emergency episodes and could deliver frontline savings of £2.2 million, which would be reinvested in the NHS.

Commenting on the modernisation proposals, heath secretary Andrew Lansley said the new approach will enable clinicians to "take the lead locally in developing health services" and permit them to find new approaches to problems.

However, Labour's shadow health secretary John Healey recently cautioned that changes being made to NHS spending policies by the coalition government may increase the health gap between rich and poor areas of the country.

British manufacturing index contracts

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:44:00 GMT

The first contraction in the UK's manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) in two years has been recorded.

Operations management specialists are advised that according to the latest PMI for the sector, the measure plummeted from 51.4 in June to 49.1 last month, with any figure below 50 indicative of negative expansion.

Following a slowdown in strong output growth seen earlier this year, Markit and the CIPS have now revealed there was a contraction in activity during July 2011.

The figures demonstrate that new orders fell as domestic demand weakened and job losses were seen for the first time since March last year.

Although exports continue to remain strong, rising for the tenth consecutive month, Markit senior economist Rob Dobson warned: "With austerity arriving at home and debt ills rising in the US and euro area, significant headwinds are on the horizon."

In addition, the Markit and JPMorgan Global Manufacturing PMI has indicated the second half of the year will see a cooling of production growth, with expansion easing and a decline in new orders during July 2011.

Free Manufacturing Breakfast Briefing

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Free Manufacturing Breakfast Briefing

Things are pretty tough in the manufacturing sector today, but what if you could make your business more profitable by improving what you already have with minimal investment?

IOM will help you to:
- Improve your processes and value streams
- Cut out waste
- Implement continuous improvement
- Improve supplier relationships
- Get more in and out of your warehouse
- Seamlessly integrate new products into your supply chain
- Reduce inventory and total operating costs by improving stock integrity
- Improve your bottom line

The Institute of Operations Management is a not for profit educational charity that helps members to streamline their business processes to improve profitability through training, access to industry intelligence and best practice, networking opportunities, qualifications and benchmarking.

Invest an hour of your time to find out how we can help your business to flourish

Meet your contemporaries from local manufacturers; and enjoy a free breakfast whilst learning what we can do to help your business improve.

RESERVE YOUR FREE PLACE NOW BY CLICKING HERE! – and feel free to bring a colleague!

Locations:

Glasgow - Tuesday 4th October. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
Studley, Warwickshire – Wednesday 2nd November. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
New Date - Cottingham, Leicestershire – Tuesday 22nd November. 08.00 – 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
New Date - Bristol - Tuesday 29th November. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)

UK manufacturers ''review business plans as confidence dips''

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 10:00:00 GMT

A dip in confidence among the UK's manufacturing companies has led to many reassessing their business plans.

This is the claim made by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in a new report on the sector, which suggests businesses are forecasting slower activity in the sector over the coming months.

According to the organisation, optimism among manufacturers dipped over the quarter to July for the first time in two years and investment plans have been scaled back by some firms as a result, operations management professionals may be interested to learn.

The three-month period saw a contraction of growth in total orders and production volumes, with minus 16 per cent of companies stating they were less optimistic than over the previous quarter.

Commenting on the figures, CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty stated: "How far the slowdown will be borne out is yet unclear, but the combination of political and economic uncertainty is sapping confidence."

The CBI Industrial Trends Survey is backed by recent statistics from the EEF indicating there was a dip in average pay settlements in manufacturing during the three months to June 2011.

Scottish services firms encouraged to employ continuous improvement

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:26:00 GMT

Companies operating in the Scottish services sector are being urged to enhance customer experiences ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, in addition to the Ryder Cup and other celebrations.

With the country set to host the international event, People 1st has launched a new campaign aimed at improving operations management within hospitality companies to ensure visitors attending the event enjoy it and have a warm welcome to Scotland.

According to the hospitality, passenger travel and tourism sector skills council, a poll of firms in the country found 64 per cent would like to boost their customer handling skills.

People 1st has won the backing of a number of Scottish companies and industry organisations and its head of Scotland David Allen said: "We need to ensure the visitor experience of Scotland is a very positive one and this will depend on how well we welcome and look after our guests."

Last month, a study by YouGov was published by People 1st showing that 73 per cent of respondents believe customer service in Britain needs to be improved ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Highways Agency aims to reward good operations management

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:26:00 GMT

The UK's Highways Agency has announced the launch of a new initiative aimed at recognising those suppliers that deliver more efficient services.

Companies that drive down costs for the organisation in the maintenance, improvement and operation of roads in England will be rewarded with a non-financial honour.

A deadline for entries of September 1st has been set, with the award intended to highlight those businesses demonstrating continuous improvement and good operations management.

"We hope the recognition scheme will encourage a more effective, professional, and diverse supply chain," said David Poole, director of procurement for the Highways Agency.

Small firms, joint ventures and larger organisations will be eligible for the annual supplier recognition scheme, with nominees divided into categories entitled supply chain management, health and safety, managing down cost/improving value, delivering sustainable value and solutions and building and sustaining capacity.

The Highways Agency is a Department for Transport executive body charged with management of the strategic road network.

Manufacturing management ''including services alongside products''

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:28:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing industry is adding services to products in order to make businesses more successful, it is claimed.

Professor Andy Neely, director of the Cambridge Service Alliance, explained that as part of continuous improvement strategies companies are looking at new ways of adding value for their customers.

The expert said in a Cambridge Judge Business School podcast that "servitisation" is a growing trend in the sector and a way of innovating to remain competitive, with services including maintenance support, consultancy, design, development and through-life maintenance.

"What we've seen in many developed economies is manufacturing firms saying they can't compete just by selling products," he stated, adding that organisations are looking to deliver a "total solution" to customers.

In addition to Mr Neely's comments, operations management specialists may also be interested in the fact that manufacturing is the latest focus of the government's Red Tape Challenge, which aims to reduce the level of regulation faced by UK businesses.

Higher apprenticeships may benefit operations management industry

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:25:00 GMT

Apprentices in operations management could account for some of 10,000 new placements in sectors including engineering, advanced manufacturing and IT starting from October this year.

Unveiled by the prime minister during a visit to the Midlands, the advanced and higher apprenticeships are intended to provide the UK with hi-tech skills, something that may create more operations management professionals.

David Cameron announced the plans as he met with trainees at Jaguar Land Rover's Gaydon headquarters, revealing that a £25 million Higher Apprenticeships Fund is being established to support the creation of places, which industry representatives will bid for a share of.

He stated: "We are investing in apprenticeships because we know they work - they are good for people who want to get ahead, good for business and good for the country."

JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth commented that the company works alongside schools and academic institutions in order to create engineers and technologists who will "shape the future of our business".

Lloydspharmacy unveils major new operations management scheme

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 14:26:00 GMT

A new operations management initiative has been unveiled by Lloydspharmacy in a bid to improve customer service.

The company claims that it wants to improve the experience those using its branches have and is giving training to 50 operational support managers and 1,500 supervisors during July, who will pass information gained onto store employees.

Two days of workshops have been planned for staff at the community pharmacy and healthcare provider this month, an exercise which Lloydspharmacy claims is the largest-ever scheme of this kind it has ever run.

Named +ONE, the programme is intended to push up standards across the company and the initial workshops will be followed by "train the trainer" sessions for operational support managers.

"Our staff are fantastic healthcare experts, but we need to ensure they have the skills to be fantastic retailers as well," Lloydspharmacy head of capability Barbara Sutherland explained.

A subsidiary of German group Celesio, the chain has a UK network of more than 1,650 pharmacies and employs in excess of 17,000 members of staff.

Government unveils plans for £1.5bn PFI savings

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 13:11:00 GMT

An estimated £1.5 billion or more could be generated across the UK's private finance initiative (PFI) contracts.

This is according to the Treasury, which has announced plans to enhance the efficiency of existing deals, something that may require operations management strategies.

The lean proposals were unveiled by Lord Sassoon, commercial secretary to the Treasury, who declared that they come after a series of pilot schemes across the country generated savings of around five per cent of total payments per year in areas such as making efficient use of space, managing contracts better, reducing waste and reviewing soft service requirements.

Savings made from PFI agreements will be "fully recycled back into frontline services" and provide value for money for taxpayers as part of a programme of reforms aimed at boosting the efficiency and transparency of contracts.

"We have identified every opportunity to find savings, tackling wasteful practice and gold plating in PFI contracts," Lord Sassoon remarked.

PFIs are the most common form of public private partnership, a means of delivering public services through infrastructure investment from private businesses.

UK manufacturing wage growth slows

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:21:00 GMT

Britons involved in manufacturing management are advised that pay settlements in the sector have reduced over the past couple of months, following data from one industry body.

According to EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, the average pay settlement for the quarter to the end of June was 2.5 per cent, coming after a period of gradual increases.

The body's research also found that close to 25 per cent of all settlements are below two per cent, while 12 per cent of settlements resulted in a pay freeze being agreed.

Commenting on the statistics, EEF chief economist Lee Hopley said: "Whilst there is undoubted pressure to give higher settlements, there is an equal dose of realism amongst companies and their employees in response to economic uncertainty and competitive pressures."

However, John Morris, chief executive of Jam Recruitment, added despite the data, employees are still asking for high wages because they know their skills are extremely valuable and worthy of an employer paying a premium.

The research comes after the European Commission revealed industrial production fell by 1.1 per cent in the UK in May, compared to April.

Company embraces education as part of continuous improvement

Mon, 18 Jul 2011 14:15:00 GMT

A major part of the continuous improvement strategy of a company in the US is education, it has been reported.

According to Aerospace Manufacturing and Design, KLH Industries has introduced measures to encourage employees to engage with training, such as partial tuition reimbursement.

The news source suggested the business operates a continuous education policy for all its workers, which enables them to develop their careers.

Members of staff are only provided with payments if they achieve satisfactory grades in their chosen courses in order to make the most of workforce development programmes and expand the organisation.

The continuous improvement measures have also included spending more than $300,000 on providing lean training across the firm.

"It seems like a hefty price tag at first, but we wanted to build a corporate culture around lean principals," Joe Mingari, KLH operations manager, stated.

KLH is a tool and manufacturing facility in Germantown, Wisconsin, which was established in 1987 and covers more than 35,000 sq ft, serving companies in a range of different sectors.

Operations management staff may want to contribute to Red Tape Challenge

Fri, 15 Jul 2011 14:55:00 GMT

The government's Red Tape Challenge turns to the manufacturing sector next week to seek feedback about which regulations should be retained and which scrapped.

Individuals, including operations management professionals, are being invited to submit responses to the consultation in a bid to reduce the administrative burden on companies in a range of sectors of the UK economy.

The production part of the Red Tape Challenge commences on July 21st 2011 and runs until August 11th, when the media and creative services sector will become the focus of the exercise.

According to the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), individuals in the sector should take advantage of the scheme.

"The Red Tape Challenge really is a rare opportunity for manufacturers to have their say on the regulations that affect them," MAS national network manager Neale Ryan said.

Gestamp business development and commercial manager Mark Potts added that while some rules should be maintained in order to promote best practice, others do not deliver "any obvious benefits" and should be removed.

Once the consultation ends, the government will have three months to examine legislation and decide which regulations will be retained and why.

Manufacturing management solution ''increases fan production''

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:05:00 GMT

A new system that provides better cost tracking has been implemented by Wanavit Manufacturing and has boosted production by at least 30 per cent.

The Infor's SyteLine 8 Enterprise Resource Planning software was employed in order to enhance quality control throughout the process of making Hatari electric fans, according to Works Management.

Vittaya Thanyasrisung, the firm's IT consultant, explained the solution had provided real-time planning and flexibility enhancements that highlighted "hidden costs" incurred in areas such as maintenance.

The engineering department has worked with manufacturing management and IT experts to eliminate this additional expenditure in order to reduce waste, cut spending and speed up processes.

In addition to costs and staff overtime being driven down, greater control has been achieved over production processes and the quality of items made has improved, assisted by the decision by the company to customise the application to suit its needs.

Dixons recently announced that effective operations management had assisted the firm in weathering the economic downturn and improving its profit margins.

Good Morning – IOM Manufactures….. Breakfast!

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) is hosting a series of breakfast briefings designed to demonstrate some of the benefits and facilities available from the IOM to operations management professionals and to highlight the benefits of becoming either individual or corporate members of the Institute. The events will be held at Cottingham in Leicestershire, Bristol, Glasgow and Studley in Warwickshire.

The free of charge Manufacturing Breakfast Briefings are being held over the next few months and provide the opportunity for networking, establishing new contacts and comparing notes with fellow professionals engaged in operations management and manufacturing.

Membership of the IOM provides continuous benefits throughout any career by giving access to knowledge and information, together with professional development including training, qualifications, events, networking, careers service, information services and the specialist range of support and assistance available from the principal UK professional society for operations management professionals.

IOM Manager Leonie Edwards says: ‘These breakfast briefings are designed to introduce details of our services and facilities to operations management professionals and, at the same time, give them the opportunity to meet and engage with fellow professionals interested and working in the manufacturing industry.

‘We hope that attendees will gain the joint benefits of enjoying a good breakfast followed by a lifetime of professional support from the IOM!’

Part of the presentation will be an insight into the library and information facilities available. IOM’s Peter Huggins says: ‘The IOM Knowledge Centre houses one of the largest specialist and comprehensive sources of logistics, supply chain and operational management information in the world. By combining traditional and online resources The Knowledge Centre gives the most effective and efficient routes to the information that members need.’

Daryl Chesney, IOM Business Development Manager, will explain the benefits of Corporate Membership of the Institute. He says: ‘Corporate membership provides a one-stop shop for benchmarking, networking, delivering public relations seminars, and access to potent market intelligence.’

The events will all begin with breakfast at 7.30 for an 8.00 start and will finish at 9.00. They will take place at:

Glasgow - Tuesday 4th October. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
Studley, Warwickshire – Wednesday 2nd November. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
New Date - Cottingham, Leicestershire – Tuesday 22nd November. 08.00 – 09.00 (Registration 07.30)
New Date - Bristol - Tuesday 29th November. 08.00 - 09.00 (Registration 07.30)

IOM personnel attending the events will include Manager Leonie Edwards, Peter Huggins and Lynn Mentiply from The Knowledge Centre, Sarah Skinns, Professional Development and Daryl Chesney, Corporate Membership.

To secure your free place at any of these events please click here to register your place.

Customer service ''should be key factor in operations management''

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:39:00 GMT

Customer service can lead to consumers in the UK walking out of businesses, while good treatment of them can lead to purchases.

According to new research by American Express, 78 per cent of respondents stated they had chosen not to buy something because of poor attitudes from staff.

Those involved with continuous improvement practices in the services sector may also be interested in the finding that 20 per cent of individuals would be prepared to pay more for good customer service.

Operations management practices in such businesses, therefore, could include provisions to enhance factors relating to the treatment of consumers, as 30 per cent of respondents to the survey felt firms take their business for granted.

In addition, the Customer Services Barometer found just two per cent of those questioned felt companies exceeded their expectations in this area.

"At a time when household finances remain tight, consumers are looking for organisations that go the extra mile," American Express World Service senior vice-president Ian Lundberg advised.

The most recent Purchasing Managers' Index from Markit and the CIPS indicated that the services sector in the UK saw activity levels rise by 0.1 points to 53.9, indicative of continuing growth in the industry.

Customer service ''should be key factor in operations management''

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:39:00 GMT

UK manufacturing confidence indicative of improving fortunes

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 15:04:00 GMT

Confidence levels among manufacturers in the UK are below levels seen during the period from April to December 2010, but showed signs of rallying recently, a report claims.

The study by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warns that optimism among producers about their future performance climbed between the first and second quarters of 2011, but remained lower year-on-year.

Manufacturing management professionals are advised that April to June 2011 saw a 12 point jump in turnover confidence to plus 40 per cent and a 12 point climb in profitability expectations to plus 22 per cent.

However, the organisation's director general David Frost warned: "We do not export enough goods and services, meaning we run up continual trade deficits."

According to the body, the UK economy needs to be rebalanced towards the private sector and problems relating to cashflow for firms should be addressed.

The BCC recently revealed that the UK's producer price index for both output and input increased during June this year, with growth accelerating over the month.

Operations management improvements ''assist Dixons recovery''

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:53:00 GMT

In the wake of the recession, electrical chain Dixons Retail has improved its fortunes through a series of logistics and operations management improvements.

This is according to the business's chief executive John Browett, who explained to the Telegraph that he has managed to ensure the group's underlying pre-tax profits have held steady despite the economic climate as a result of an ambitious turnaround programme.

Head of the firm, which owns brands such as Currys and PC World, he stated that he has employed measures including closing some stores, amalgamating some stores into megashops, enhancing product ranges and investing in staff training.

In an interview with the newspaper, Mr Browett explained: "What really drives me is if I can see I can make a difference and I saw that I could do something different with Dixons."

Having joined the company from Tesco as the recession commenced in 2007, he said that enhancing quality of service has been key to the revival during the economic slowdown and he remains positive about the future.

This is in spite of a new report from PricewaterhouseCoopers and Local Data Company indicating retailers in the UK have been shutting stores at an average of 20 per day during 2011.

Manufacturing output increases during May 2011

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:43:00 GMT

The UK saw a rise in the manufacturing index of production during May 2011, new figures show.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the measure was 2.8 per cent higher year-on-year than the same time in 2010.

This was despite a 0.8 per cent decline in the overall seasonally-adjusted index of production and indicates that manufacturing management professionals may see increased activity over the coming months.

Between April and May this year, manufacturing production climbed by 1.8 per cent, driven upwards by companies specialising in machinery and equipment which saw a 3.8 per cent surge in activity.

In addition, businesses in the field reported a revival of sales volumes following a dip in April and those organisations concerned with other manufacturing boosted output by 7.2 per cent in May 2011.

The ONS data was released as the Scottish government revealed that manufactured exports from the nation rose at the highest quarter-on-quarter rate since the three months to June 2007, climbing by 3.9 per cent over the period in question.

Annual General Meeting

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) is a membership body within The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in the UK - CILT(UK). Members and Fellows of the IOM are voting members of CILT(UK).

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Institute Members, is to be held at 13.00 on Wednesday 3rd August 2011 at The Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport, Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 4AX, to conduct the following as ordinary business:

• To consider and if thought fit adopt the accounts for the year ended 30th September 2010 and the reports of the directors and auditors
• To reappoint Mazars LLP auditors and to authorise the directors to agree their remuneration

Dated 1st July 2011

By Order of the Board

Richard Ebbage, Company Secretary

Voting for this event is now closed

Alternatively, for details, tel: 01536 740100. Fax: 01536 740101.
Email: 2011AGM@ciltuk.org.uk
Note. All forms of written correspondence should be headed ‘2011 AGM'.

UK services sector sees activity stablise in June 2011

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:05:00 GMT

Activity levels in the UK's services sector remained steady in June this year, compared with the previous month.

According to the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector, it performed better than anticipated during the period in question.

The PMI for June 2011 climbed by 0.1 points to 53.9, with the measure demonstrating that growth remains stable as any figure above 50 is representative of expansion.

Although the figure is below trend for the industry, firms continued to report increases in new orders.

However, the study by the CIPS and Markit showed there was a dip in business confidence and very little job creation over the month, indicating the coming months could prove hard for those in operations management.

"Companies kept headcounts largely unchanged, highlighting a reluctance to expand workforces as a result of the uncertain outlook and renewed weakness of the manufacturing and household sectors," cautioned Markit chief economist Chris Williamson.

Those hoping to generate continuous improvement within their services sector operations may be interested to learn that a recent study by YouGov suggested 73 per cent of Brits believe customer service standards need to be improved ahead of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Frontline staff ''to become part of NHS continuous improvement efforts''

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:47:00 GMT

The health secretary has said that NHS staff will be able to improve their leadership skills in a push to achieve continuous improvement at the service.

Speaking to mark the 63rd anniversary of the NHS on Tuesday (July 5th), Andrew Lansley announced that a new national Leadership Academy will be developed to help frontline staff get involved in operations management.

He suggested that trials in Cambridgeshire have already seen diabetes patients receive better care by allowing those who treat them to gain the management skills to run their own departments.

"By establishing the Leadership Academy today I want to help all doctors and nurses develop the leadership skills they need to drive a truly world-class NHS," Mr Lansley added.

The Department of Health recently reported that at the end of May 97.3 per cent of NHS patients had waited under six weeks to be treated, although this was down from 97.5 per cent in the previous month.

Automotive operations management processes ''could help other manufacturers''

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:53:00 GMT

Companies looking for ways to achieve lean manufacturing in their production processes could look to automotive firms.

That is according to emergency logistics specialist Evolution Time Critical, which indicated that it is being contacted by businesses from different sectors looking to improve their operations management.

Managing director Brad Brennan stated that auto manufacturers have honed their processes over the past century, using techniques to save time and money through the supply chain, which has meant that cars have not risen in cost in real terms in the past 20 years, despite technological developments.

"This is partly due to the maturity of the industry and partly driven by the demand from clients for increasingly sophisticated vehicles without increasing the cost," Mr Brennan explained.

The Ernst & Young ITEM Club recently said that manufacturing management may be an issue for companies as the Purchase Manufacturing Index drops, raising concerns over the sustainability of the economic recovery.

Strong demand for UK engineering and manufacturing workers

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 16:09:00 GMT

Manufacturing and engineering workers in the UK are in particularly high demand, it has been claimed.

Research by recruiter Reed indicated compared with an overall figure of 125, positions for engineers stood at 181 during June 2011, according to Engineering Apprentice.

In addition, levels of demand for people to fill opportunities in the manufacturing industry climbed to 155 for the month, ahead of a December 2009 baseline of 100.

The Reed Engineering Job Index stood at its highest level since its launch 18 months ago in June and Reed.co.uk managing director Martin Warnes remarked: "Clearly skilled, technically-qualified professionals are top of employer wish lists at the moment."

Completing an APICS qualification could help individuals secure one of a growing number of roles in the industry, as companies increasingly turn to operations management to streamline their processes following the downturn.

The strong Reed jobs figures come after the Markit and CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index for June 2011 was published at 51.3, indicative of growth. However, the pace of expansion slowed month-on-month from 52.

Decline noted in UK manufacturing growth

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 14:10:00 GMT

The pace of expansion of the UK's manufacturing industry slowed during June 2011, new figures show.

According to the latest purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the sector, activity dipped over the month to a 21-month low.

Operations management professionals are also advised that the measures showed there were contractions in new orders and the pace of employment growth alongside the dip in overall PMI from a revised 52 in May to 51.3 in June.

However, with any figure above 50 representative of an increasing market, manufacturing activity continues to rise, although it is falling back from highs reached at the start of 2011 as a result of slowing overseas business.

Production growth in June may have been bolstered by activity prompted by new product launches, fewer bank holidays and companies clearing backlogs of work.

Commenting on the data, senior economist at Markit Rob Dobson said: "It looks as if manufacturing has entered a slower growth phase which could be with us for some time."

The figures from Markit and the CIPS come after research from GE indicated that high-tech manufacturers are currently cautious about investing in the expansion of their operations.

Operations management may have assisted with improved NHS care

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 13:58:00 GMT

Patient care across the NHS showed continuous improvement during the three months from January to March 2011, it has been announced.

Operations management strategies may have contributed towards the enhanced levels of services provided during the fourth quarter of the organisation's year, as the body prepares for new government reforms.

"I believe modernisation of the NHS will both safeguard the future of our health service and ensure it is more efficient and more accountable," health secretary Andrew Lansley commented.

According to the report from the Department for Health, the NHS maintained levels of quality across 20 out of the 21 areas assessed, including performance of seeing individuals who have suffered mini-strokes, breast and bowel cancer screening rates and breaches of same sex accommodation.

Waiting times during the first three months of the year remained steady at 7.9 weeks for patients admitted after referral to treatment and 3.7 weeks for those who were not.

Further progress was identified as being needed in ensuring under-18s are not admitted to adult psychiatric wards.

In related news, Mr Lansley has announced funding totalling almost £1 million to assist with the development of Health and Wellbeing Boards to ensure services respond to local need.

UK government ''needs to back knowledge economy''

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 12:45:00 GMT

More assistance needs to be given by the government to the UK's knowledge economy, it has been claimed.

According to The Work Foundation, the sector is best placed to provide balanced growth and generate employment as the economy recovers from the global financial crisis and subsequent recession.

The body outlined its plans to create stability and prosperity in the UK by 2020 and called for a "coherent approach to the knowledge economy" that drives forward lasting growth.

Commenting on the plans, lead author Charles Levy explained: "If we are to avoid another financial crisis, the UK must eschew debt-fuelled growth and back that part of the economy which is driven by expertise and new ideas."

The Work Foundation has welcomed initiatives such as the government's Technology and Innovation Centres, but wants to see more schemes to boost skills and create local conditions that will enable high-growth businesses to be successful.

Operations management specialists are also advised that The Work Foundation stressed the importance last month of the government focusing on supporting the business services sector as well as manufacturing, as the former has overtaken the latter as the "mainstay" of the UK's economy.

Major changes to NHS ''pose operations management challenge''

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:22:00 GMT

The NHS is set to undergo substantial changes, with preserving staff productivity identified in a new report as one of the major challenges while this shift takes place.

Individuals concerned with continuous improvement within the health service are advised that a study by Right Management discovered professionals in the sector are also concerned about skills shortages in the future.

The Change in the NHS Survey questioned 190 GPs and 155 foundation trust managers, finding that there is a worry that the reforms will be difficult to implement if the workforce is not equipped to carry them out.

A total of 82 per cent of respondents said productivity would be difficult to maintain during periods of change, while 84 per cent identified maintaining service standards as the leading challenge.

"For the NHS, it means keeping a workforce of 1.3 million in England and Wales onboard and engaged with the prospect of reform," Right Management managing director Jayne Carrington explained.

Government plans for the future of the health service include placing patients at its heart, with recent policies announced to safeguard against price competition and privatisation.

Potential public sector strikes could affect operations management

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:39:00 GMT

Strikes may affect the public sector this summer as unions consider walkouts over pay and pensions.

The government is facing resistance to its plans to change retirement arrangements for millions of people.

A first one-day strike is planned for Thursday (June 30th) and ministers are holding talks with public sector employees in a bid to avert walkouts.

Prime minister David Cameron is due to address the Local Government Association conference later today and will call on workers to continue with negotiations rather than taking industrial action.

As many as 750,000 employees, including schoolteachers, are due to walk out on Thursday and talks have so far failed to reach a compromise.

Those concerned with continuous improvement in the public sector are advised that Unite assistant general secretary Gail Cartmail said there remained a "major gap" between the administration and unions in key areas, but insisted that employees' representatives "continue to negotiate in good faith".

UK manufacturers ''remain cautious about investment''

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 18:00:00 GMT

Despite recent growth in the UK economy and the manufacturing sector in particular, many companies in the field are cautious about expanding their operations.

This is according to a six-monthly survey from GE, which suggested high-tech businesses are not yet ready to invest in their businesses.

However, the research indicated 29 per cent of respondents' organisations are now operating at close to or full capacity, but almost half (46 per cent) currently have no plans to increase their capabilities.

Mark Elborne, chief executive of GE UK, explained that firms in the industry "see great opportunities in international markets and growth sectors such as green technologies but have to be careful about these decisions because there is still a backdrop of general economic uncertainty".

The High-Tech Manufacturing Index revealed confidence among firms regarding the future remains high and the measure grew from plus 68 in December to plus 71 in June 2011.

GE warned earlier this month that the UK is facing engineering skills shortages in the future unless more is done to encourage and support people to train in the profession.

Better operations management ''boosts gross margins for Dixons Retail''

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:34:00 GMT

Good operations management has helped Dixons Retail to enhance its profit margins, the company has announced.

Introducing a leaner operating model, the company claimed, has helped to reduce costs in the UK and Ireland, generating savings of £50 million over the past year, with a further £50 million anticipated in the coming three years.

Publishing its full-year financial results for the 12 months to April 2011, the group, which owns the PC World and Currys brands, has stated its gross profit margins were greater because of effective manufacturing management strategies.

"We are consistently outperforming our markets and gaining share because our Renewal and Transformation Plan continues to deliver a better and more compelling experience for customers," said John Browett, Dixons Retail chief executive.

The electrical retailer reported underlying profit before tax of £85.3 million for the year, despite "challenging market conditions".

Dixons Retail has 1,200 stores, in addition to online operations, covering 28 countries, including brands such as Currys, Electro World, PC World, KnowHow and PIXMania.com.

Confidence grows among UK manufacturing firms

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:05:00 GMT

Optimism about the future of UK industry has increased among manufacturing companies.

Operations management professionals may be particularly interested in The Hazard Warning Report for the sector, showing 78 per cent of such businesses are more confident about prospects for the industry.

According to the study by Zurich Insurance, optimism has risen in the past 12 months, with emerging economies such as China and India helping to drive forward growth as domestic demand remains sluggish.

In addition, the report noted access to credit is not constraining firms as much has been reported and mid-market manufacturers are performing strongly.

Economic uncertainty continues to pose a problem for those in manufacturing management, in addition to the need to enter emerging regions, supply chain issues and problems attracting skilled workers.

"The findings show that manufacturers have a cautious optimism about the year ahead, that they are excited to break into new markets," commented Zurich Insurance European middle market network leader Steve Green.

Recent figures from Eurostat revealed there was a 0.2 per cent increase in industrial new orders across the European Union during April 2011 compared with the previous month.

Government outlines new NHS modernisation plans

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 13:24:00 GMT

Further plans have been released by the government as part of efforts to modernise the NHS.

Under the latest proposals from the Department for Health, patients are intended to be placed "at the heart" of the service, with new safeguards planned to protect against privatisation and price competition.

Part of a continuous improvement strategy for the organisation, the proposals are outlined in a new report and include pledges to provide patients and members of the public with a stronger voice, give local authorities a greater say over the NHS and focus on the causes of health complaints as well as treatments.

Issuing the full response to a report on the issue by the NHS Future Forum, the government insisted service users will be placed at the heart of the healthcare organisation and its decision making processes.

"I believe the revised plans we set out today will both safeguard the future of our NHS and ensure it is more efficient and more accountable," health secretary Andrew Lansley declared.

The government has accepted the main recommendations from the independent NHS Future Forum as part of its plans for the health service.

Sustainable policies could improve operations management

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 13:55:00 GMT

Small businesses could benefit from implementing environmentally-friendly technologies in their operations management strategies.

That is according to Dominic Wood, programme coordinator for sustainable living charity Groundwork, who suggested companies could save money by making their operations greener.

He suggested that outgoings could be reduced on energy bills, raw materials and processing, as well as lowering the amount of waste, while eco-friendly businesses are more likely to avoid penalties for breaching environmental legislation.

"The green pound is growing year-on-year as consumers vote with their feet and demand more sustainability from the products they buy and the companies that produce them," Mr Wood explained.

He added that clients may be more likely to use businesses with green credentials over those not making changes to their operations.

Energy secretary Chris Huhne recently suggested there needs to be more regulation where the environment is concerned and boosting the economy should not interfere with green legislation.

Britons ''want customer service improvements by 2012''

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:45:00 GMT

A majority of Britons (73 per cent) feel that customer service in the UK needs to improve before the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games take place in London.

This is the finding of a new study by YouGov, which indicated operations management across the services sector needs to improve ahead of the international sporting event in order to ensure visitors enjoy the nation's cultural and historical attractions.

Carried out for sector skills council People 1st, the poll highlighted the need for continuous improvement in this area, with 14 per cent of respondents viewing hospitality as the most important aspect to ensure international visitors enjoy their trip to the UK.

"The overwhelming recognition from the British public is that we need to get better at customer service," People 1st director Sharon Glancy remarked.

A further 2.3 million tickets are due to be made available by the London 2012 Organising Committee as part of the second round of sales for the event next summer.

Government plan ''could deter UK manufacturers''

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 17:19:00 GMT

The government has been warned that plans to introduce carbon dioxide pricing in an effort to force businesses to be more energy efficient could inadvertently damage the British manufacturing sector.

Speaking to Bloomberg, Richard Longden - a spokesman for chemical firm Ineos - revealed that senior figures at the company had written to chancellor George Osborne to advise him of "grave consequences" if the levies come into effect.

"If implemented, carbon price support is unlikely to have the desired environmental impact it is set out to achieve," he told the news agency. "Manufacturing is more likely to move outside of the UK."

Mr Longden added that businesses with energy-intensive production methods would be most likely to seek a move abroad and claimed the British sector could be left at a competitive disadvantage.

His remarks came after figures from Eurostat revealed a 0.2 per cent increase in eurozone manufacturing output in April.

European production climbs in April 2011

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:16:00 GMT

There was a 0.1 per cent rise in industrial production within the European Union (EU) during April 2011, new data show.

According to figures published by Eurostat, the eurozone also saw a month-on-month climb in output of 0.2 per cent over the period.

The EU statistical office noted that this followed a dip of 0.2 per cent in industrial production across the 27 member states in March.

Year-on-year, activity was 4.7 per cent higher across the region as a whole and expanded by 5.2 per cent within those nations that have adopted the euro.

Production of durable and non-durable and capital goods all climbed from March, but output of intermediate goods dropped across the EU and production of energy was also down.

However, those considering taking operations training courses are advised the statistics showed a 1.6 per cent decline in UK industrial production during the month.

Monster Europe recently reported significant jobs gains in the European manufacturing sector over the past few months, although the UK's service-based economy was found to be lagging behind many other states.

Government makes changes to NHS operations plans

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 14:13:00 GMT

Plans for the reform of the health service in England have been revised by the government following a report on the issue.

The main recommendations made by the NHS Future Forum have been accepted by ministers and proposals for changes to the current system are being altered in order to accommodate them.

Individuals concerned with continuous improvement within the health service may be interested to note that joined up services will be promoted and patients will be provided with greater choice and information under the new plans.

Changes being made as a result of advice from the independent group, which is made up of health experts, include greater involvement for specialists in clinical commissioning groups, stronger controls to protect patients' interests and greater safeguards against privatisation.

In a recent speech, prime minister David Cameron stated that suggestions made during a consultation on NHS reform have been listened to and revisions are being made to take these into consideration to ensure they reflect the concerns of stakeholders.

Manufacturing sector ''driving European jobs gains''

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:13:00 GMT

The European manufacturing industry has witnessed substantial employment gains in recent months, but operations management professionals are advised the UK is lagging behind.

Latest figures from Monster Europe revealed growth in the region's jobs market is being driven by nations such as Germany that are more reliant on exports and industry.

However, the recruitment company noted that services-based countries, including the UK and the Netherlands, are falling behind in terms of recruitment.

The report has revealed Germany led the European labor market for the sixth consecutive month, with a year-on-year gain in May 2011 of 42 per cent.

Speaking to CNBC.com, Monster Europe vice-president of business operations Alan Townsend said: "Some of the industrial sectors, manufacturing, transport and logistics are leading the way."

Data published by Markit and CIPS indicated the manufacturing industry made further gains during May this year, although the pace of growth slowed.

The Purchasing Managers' Index for the month stood at 52.1 last month, down from 54.4 in April.

Note about Eli Goldratt

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT

It is with regret that we inform you that a pioneer and leading voice in our profession, Eli Goldratt, passed away over the weekend. His work, which introduced important concepts such as the theory of constraints to the business world, was integral to the development of both IOM and APICS bodies of knowledge, the profession, and the Institute. His contributions cannot be overstated.

Many IOM and APICS members have had ties to Mr. Goldratt and the Avraham Y. Goldratt Institute or benefited directly from his articles and books, including the legendary publication The Goal. We offer our condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Manufacturing recovery ''remains on course''

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:50:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing recovery is still "on course", despite official figures showing a dip in output during April 2011, operations management specialists are advised.

According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the 1.5 per cent dip in productivity was caused by "special factors" such as the Royal Wedding and the continuing effect of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11th.

A 1.3 per cent year-on-year increase in output was reported by the Office for National Statistics during April and BCC chief economist David Kern explained that analysts appear to have underestimated the impact of bank holidays and supply chain problems on production.

He explained the organisation's view is that "the manufacturing recovery, though modest, is still on course and remains a crucial element of any sustained UK upturn", adding that the economy remains fragile and it is important to ensure the coming months do not see any setback to its expansion.

Latest ONS figures have shown a two per cent drop in producer input prices between April and May 2011, although such costs were 15.7 per cent higher year-on-year last month.

UK manufacturing ''affected by Japan earthquake''

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:50:00 GMT

Output from factories across the UK has been hit by the earthquake that shook Japan on March 11th.

The disaster, which caused a devastating tsunami in the north of the country, has been cited as one of the factors that reduced levels of industrial production in Britain during April, operations management professionals may be interested to learn.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), there was a fall in manufacturing output of 1.5 per cent from March, with the royal wedding and the bank holiday provided because of it also named as issues likely to have affected data.

"It should be noted that April 2011 was an unusual month for a number of reasons," ONS said, adding that no adjustments have been made to the figures for the extra day off.

Feedback from car manufacturers in the UK indicated parts shortages caused by the crisis in Japan had disrupted production, causing a sharp fall in output from the transport equipment sub-sector.

EEF, the manufacturers' organisation commented that despite the latest ONS figures showing a dip, "the manufacturing recovery remains on track".

Cameron unveils government plans for NHS reform

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 11:29:00 GMT

The prime minister has outlined future plans for the NHS in a speech on proposed reforms.

David Cameron explained that changes are being made to controversial initial suggestions to alter the way in which the health service is run.

He stated hospital workers, including doctors and nurses, will be given a greater role in commissioning care for patients.

Mr Cameron added the coalition has listened and responded to concerns from operations management professionals and other NHS staff about the first plans unveiled for the health service in England.

"There are real changes being made to these health reforms to reflect the concerns of patients, doctors and nurses so we get that right," he declared, adding the universal service will be safeguarded.

However, the prime minister insisted it is vital that the NHS is modernised in order to protect it for the future, pledging to keep waiting lists low, improve integrated care, increase spending and introduce competition that benefits patients.

In May, the Royal College of GPs criticised NHS restructuring plans in a letter to Mr Cameron, suggesting there is no need for a "wholesale reorganisation" of the system.

UK service sector activity climbs further

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 11:52:00 GMT

The fifth month in a row of service sector growth has been recorded in the UK, according to new figures.

Data for the industry showed the pace of activity slowed slightly during May 2011, with employment numbers remaining largely stable compared with the previous month.

The report by Markit and the CIPS revealed operations management professionals are continuing to see growth in average prices charged, as input costs - such as fuel, supplier charges and energy - increase.

"Overall growth of incoming new business is holding up reasonably well amid reports of improved market confidence," commented Markit senior economist Paul Smith.

The Business Activity Index for May 2011 stood at 53.8, down slightly from April's 54.3, with any figure above 50 indicative of expansion, while confidence in the sector rose to its highest level since February this year.

A recent report from Incomes Data Services suggested the private services sector saw median pay awards stand at 2.8 per cent in the three months to April 2011, down slightly from 2.9 per cent the previous period.

Manufacturing expansion ''threatened by engineer shortages''

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 10:16:00 GMT

A new survey has shown that engineering students and lecturers believe that the manufacturing sector in the UK is lacking in talent.

Conducted by US energy giant General Electric (GE), the poll discovered that only 13 per cent of respondents feel the number of engineers in the UK is growing, with students claiming more investment is needed in higher education.

It is estimated that the country will need 970,000 new engineers by 2017 in order to keep a balanced economy, but the UK is currently producing only 20,000 annually and a number of these are at risk of moving abroad.

Mark Elborne, president and chief executive of GE in the UK, said: "Our research shows that we need to continue to support this important pillar of growth by continuing to grow our skills base and competitive edge in engineering."

The most recent Purchasing Managers' Index for the manufacturing sector showed that it fell in May to the lowest level recorded in 20 months, as performance weakened.

Manufacturing management in Britain ''appears to be paying off''

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:00:00 GMT

The work of those involved in manufacturing management is seemingly having the desired effect, after positive figures for the sector were released.

Reuters reports that UK-based production firms enjoyed a successful second quarter and fully expect trade to remain brisk over the coming months.

Figures from the Engineering Employers' Federation's (EEF) quarterly Manufacturing Outlook showed manufacturing to be one of the few bright spots in the British economy.

A total of 30 per cent of companies said they had experienced a rise in new orders during the period in question, up from 20 per cent in the last survey.

EEF chief economist Lee Hopley told the news source: "Providing buoyant demand from overseas markets holds firm, we should see growth maintained through the rest of the year."

HSBC Commercial Banking last week revealed its belief that the manufacturing and hi-tech industries are set for a revival in the coming years.

Revival forecast for UK manufacturing

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Britain is likely to see a return to high levels of production and exports over the coming years, as the renewable energy and hi-tech sectors take off.

This is the prediction made by a new report from HSBC Commercial Banking, which has stated goods manufactured in the UK will have a renaissance, driven by seven cities around the country.

Bristol and Glasgow have joined a previous list of five urban areas of the UK expected to drive forward output over the coming years, including Brighton, Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds and London.

HSBC Commercial Banking UK head Jacques-Emmanuel Blanchet stated: "Out of recessions come new trends and this report crystallises how adaptable entrepreneurs and small businesses are shaping a new business landscape that British business is set to follow."

Those concerned with demand planning may be interested in the news that the report forecasts a strong increase in output over the coming years, pushed up by the performance of small and medium-sized companies in the sector.

Latest data from Markit and CIPS showed manufacturing continued to expand in the UK during May 2011, although the pace of growth in the industry slowed.

Revival forecast for UK manufacturing

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Revival forecast for UK manufacturing

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:48:00 GMT

Manufacturers report an improvement in credit

Thu, 02 Jun 2011 13:48:00 GMT

The finances of UK manufacturers are improving, as the credit becomes more available to businesses in the field, a report has claimed.

Companies implementing continuous improvement policies may be interested to learn that EEF, the manufacturers' organisation found fewer companies are reporting having problems accessing the funds they require.

However, the Credit Conditions survey of nearly 500 enterprises suggested costs in this area are rising, with a balance of plus 22 per cent of firms reporting they had seen the overall amount spent on credit rise during the previous two months.

EEF chief economist Lee Hopley remarked: "Ensuring companies have access to the finance needed to invest and grow is critical for the recovery."

Recent figures from Markit and the CIPS showed the manufacturing industry continued to expand in May this year, albeit at a slower pace than in previous months.

Commenting on the data, Ms Hopley stated it indicated the sector "is coming off the boil after nearly two years of solid growth".

UK manufacturing index expansion slows

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:12:00 GMT

Britain's manufacturing industry is continuing to grow, but at a slower pace than in previous months, new figures show.

The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector reveals it fell in May to the lowest level recorded in 20 months, as performance weakened.

Compiled by Markit and the CIPS, the PMI stood at 52.1 last month, with any figure above 50 indicative of expansion, dropping from 54.4 in April 2011.

The organisations recorded a slight dip in both new orders and production, the first time such falls have been seen since mid-2009, with producers of consumer goods and smaller firms seeing the sharpest decline.

Operations management professionals are advised that the PMI has been higher than 50 for a total of 22 months in a row, but both export growth and domestic market conditions have contracted recently.

Markit senior economist Rob Dobson commented: "The UK PMI suggests that manufacturing has moved from rapid expansion to near-stagnation."

According to Markit, the Eurozone Manufacturing PMI dipped during May to a seven-month low of 54.6, falling from 58 in April, although the measure continued to expand as output and new orders continued to grow.

UK manufacturing index expansion slows

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:12:00 GMT

UK manufacturing index expansion slows

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 14:12:00 GMT

Food and drink sector ''moving towards automation''

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:56:00 GMT

More skilled workers are required by the UK's food and drink manufacturing industry, it has been claimed.

Assistant editor of FoodManufacture.co.uk Freddy Dawson claimed the sector continues to lag behind other fields in terms of take-up of automation and other measures, but "it's quickly catching up".

The website specialist claimed greater investment is needed in skills and training, something that may interest those seeking to gain an APICS qualification or complete a CPIM exam.

Mr Dawson added there are deficits in some areas of employment within the manufacturing industry and these should be filled by creating apprenticeships and collaborating with universities and schools.

He explained skilled workers are assuming more roles and "are governed by a number of people who are each doing small, individual tasks".

The expert's comments come after the UK Food Chain Report from Improve and the Food and Drink Federation called for greater investment in training in order to ensure the field remains competitive internationally.

Food and drink sector ''moving towards automation''

Tue, 31 May 2011 11:56:00 GMT

UK manufacturers ''should safeguard IP rights''

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Intellectual property (IP) plays an important in manufacturing businesses in Britain and needs to be properly protected.

This is the view expressed in a new report by a law firm, which examines the potential challenges to production companies in this area and the most effective way of them protecting developments internationally.

According to DMH Stallard, it has conducted interviews with some of the UK's leading firms in the sector in order to develop the guidance and assist businesses in making the most of innovations created by their workforce.

Those concerned with continuous improvement and manufacturing management may also be interested in the firm's assertion that IP protection is more important than ever, as businesses operating in the engineering and production industry are expected to lead the country out of the economic downturn.

"We need to ensure that manufacturers who invest millions of pounds every year in new ideas, concepts, designs and processes can operate internationally confident that their IP rights will be protected," said David Seall, strategic manufacturing adviser to DMH Stallard.

The study was published after a report chaired by Professor Ian Hargreaves on behalf of the Government made a series of ten recommendations aimed at enhancing the UK's IP framework.

UK manufacturers ''should safeguard IP rights''

Fri, 27 May 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Service sector companies ''seeing fortunes diverge''

Thu, 26 May 2011 11:59:00 GMT

Although there has been "modest growth" in some areas of the UK service sector, other firms have seen a sharp decline in their fortunes over the past three months, it has been reported.

According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the most recent quarterly statistics for the field demonstrated the expansion of trade volumes and values in business and professional services organisations.

However, the data also revealed a steep drop in such factors for consumer services companies, including restaurants, bars and travel specialists, as people cut back their spending because of the economic climate.

Employment within the business and professional services field also grew over the period in question, with staff numbers increasing at the fastest rate since May 2008, while average selling prices contracted slightly.

Individuals interested in operations training courses are advised that the performance of consumer services businesses was much weaker, with five quarters in a row of volumes and values declining and a sharper monthly dip than anticipated.

The CBI recently reported that high street annual sales volumes for May "remained subdued", with retailers forecast this trend will continue into June.

Poor public finance data revealed

Wed, 25 May 2011 15:23:00 GMT

Official figures for public sector finances for April 2011 show that the UK's budget deficit is higher than anticipated.

Operations management principles may be more important than ever after Office for National Statistics reported net borrowing stood at £10 billion, excluding financial interventions, for the month.

This compares with a total of £7.3 billion for April 2010, while net stood at £910.1 billion last month, or 60.1 per cent of gross domestic product, up from £765.5 billion 12 months earlier.

In response to the data, British Chambers of Commerce chief economist David Kern stated: "The fragility of the economic recovery is creating a difficult backdrop, but the government must not deviate from its strategy to restore stability in the UK's public finances."

He stressed the importance of reducing spending through continuous improvement rather than raising taxes and added that policies need to be implemented alongside cuts aimed at creating jobs and business growth.

Wage agreements ''constrained by need to control costs''

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Pay settlements within the manufacturing industry are being influenced by "economic uncertainty and the need for companies to control their costs in the face of global pressures", it has been claimed.

This is according to EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, with the body's chief economist Lee Hopley explaining there is little upward pressure on wages in the sector at present.

Ms Hopley was commenting on figures from EEF and JAM Recruitment showing there has been a slight rise in pay settlements over the three months to the end of April this year.

However, the 2011 data indicates average growth was 2.5 per cent during the quarter, 0.1 point higher than the rise for the three months to March 2011, with most agreements below three per cent and 14 per cent of firms continuing to improve wage freezes.

Manufacturing management professionals are advised the Confederation of British Industry has reported the sector is predicting strong increases in output during the next three months, with export order books improving in May.

Wage agreements ''constrained by need to control costs''

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:00:00 GMT

Wage agreements ''constrained by need to control costs''

Tue, 24 May 2011 11:00:00 GMT

US printing firm employs operations management principles

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:03:00 GMT

A company in the US has implemented operations management measures in a bid to secure its future survival.

This is according to Inc magazine, which has profiled Hopkins Printing in Columbus, Ohio, noting that its cross-training and continuous improvement policies are intended to boost revenues.

Founded in 1975, the business employs around 100 people and specialises in commercial print jobs, with chief executive James Hopkins backing efforts to enhance employee skills during the past two years.

Over the period in question, employees have been encouraged to "work smarter" by undertaking training in additional roles, as well as creating and introducing improvements throughout the operations.

With cross-training policies in place, Hopkins Printing claims to be able to cover absences in line with demand and generate more overtime opportunities, the news source reveals.

"The training is facilitated by standard work documents, a lean manufacturing tool that lays out the steps of each task in a couple of pages," the article states.

In Alabama, operational excellence and continuous improvement have been named as factors determining Hyundai being selected as Large Manufacturer of the Year in the state, according to WSFA 12 News.

Retail sales surge attributed to Royal Wedding

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:47:00 GMT

UK retail sales rose in April this year, but industry experts have warned that they are likely to have been artificially boosted by the royal wedding and the spring sunshine.

Warm weather and the long bank holidays during the month are thought by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) to have pushed up purchasing, with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting a 2.8 per cent year-on-year rise in volumes.

Food store sales saw expansion over the period to April 2011 for the first time in 15 months, rising by 1.4 per cent, with volumes climbing by 19.6 per cent in the non-store retailing sector.

BRC director general Stephen Robertson said, in comments that may be of interest to those concerned with demand planning and operations management, that the data should "treated with caution".

"May's growth is likely to be lower and a more realistic indication of how customers, retailers and the wider economy are progressing," he warned, noting that not all areas of the industry benefited from April's jump in sales, with household goods sales declining year-on-year last month.

Retail sales surge attributed to Royal Wedding

Fri, 20 May 2011 12:47:00 GMT

Strong output expected among UK manufacturers

Thu, 19 May 2011 14:09:00 GMT

Manufacturers in the UK expect output growth to expand during the next three months, a report reveals.

The latest poll by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) indicates order books remain strong, with a balance of minus two per cent recorded by the Industrial Trends Survey in May between respondents reporting and increase and a decrease.

It is substantially higher than the long-term average for the industry and reverses a balance of minus 11 per cent for the previous month, with manufacturers forecasting rising output during the coming quarter.

In addition, manufacturing management specialists are advised the business organisation discovered the volume of export order books balance stood at minus three per cent in May from minus six per cent in April, continuing a two-year trend of improvement.

"Although there has been talk recently that the manufacturing recovery may be starting to flag, our survey shows manufacturers are still seeing solid growth in activity," CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty said.

Operations management professionals will be particularly interested in the confederation's figures after the Office for National Statistics reported industrial output rose in March 2011 by 0.3 per cent, reversing a 1.2 per cent drop the previous month.

High visibility and simplicity ''important in supply chains''

Wed, 18 May 2011 10:16:00 GMT

Supply chains should have strong levels of visibility both up and down stream and should be simplified to reduce complexity.

These are claims made in a new article by an expert from Marsh, who has stated that continuous improvement approaches can help to enhance this area of business as the range of risks facing organisations ranges from liquidity to natural disasters.

Gary Lynch, leader of the company's Global Supply Chain Risk Management Practice, stated establishing accountability for risk, understanding suppliers' chains and covering non-physical damage should be other approaches that are adopted by operations managers.

Entitled Risk Spotlight: Managing Supply Chain Resiliency in an Increasingly Risky World, he explained in the article that supply chain risk management should involve creating a business case for any investment considered that measures the impact against financing and risk mitigation options.

Interdependencies and levels of supply chain interdependence should be closely monitored, Mr Lynch stated, adding: "Organisations operating in today’s global marketplace are exposed to a host of increasingly complex and interrelated risks."

In the wake of the March 11th earthquake and tsunami in Japan a number of companies saw their supply chains disrupted by the crisis.

Groundbreaking economic policies ''could drive European public sector''

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:35:00 GMT

More needs to be done in Europe to modernise and improve the region's public sector, it has been claimed.

A new report by the Government of the Future Centre advocates a range of strategies that it claims would substantially increase economic growth and job creation if implemented.

These include pressing ahead with measures that will catalyse innovation, enhancing social progress, adopting technology to boost interactions and overhauling procurement processes.

Adopting such approaches across Europe could generate 15 million jobs by 2020 and push up economic growth over the next ten years to eight per cent.

The organisation advises that adopting a policy of continuous improvement across the public sector would see it outstrip current estimates through reforms such as improved health and social care delivery or reducing waste.

"The creation of a culture of innovation within governments can become the stimulus for operating models which are both more effective and more efficient," College of Europe director of political and administrative studies Professor Jorg Monar said.

A recent study by Deloitte suggested Britain's public sector should do more to deliver services online in order to offer support and information more efficiently.

Carbon targets ''could place UK competitiveness in jeopardy''

Mon, 16 May 2011 15:17:00 GMT

Adhering to proposals for a 30 per cent reduction in carbon emissions in the UK could place the nation's competitiveness at risk.

This is the claim made in a new study by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, which has stated a recommendation made by the Committee on Climate Change to this end could be detrimental to the economy.

According to the report, rather than improving manufacturing processes, setting goals that are too ambitious could harm the country's gross domestic product growth.

The study urged the Prime Minister David Cameron to consider carefully whether or not he will choose to implement the advice from the committee in the fourth Carbon Budget.

EEF noted the proposed unilateral 30 per cent target goes beyond the coalition government's agreement and there appears to be little support for such aims within the European Union.

As a result, the body's chief executive Terry Scuoler remarked: "Committing to ploughing a lone furrow without international agreement will damage our economy for little or no environmental benefit."

A previous statement from EEF suggested that more discussion is needed on the 2020 Renewables Target in order to ensure Britain remains competitive.

UK manufacturing output lower than anticipated

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:28:00 GMT

The latest figures for industrial output in the UK are lower than forecast by experts.

Data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show a 1.2 per cent decline in February was reversed in March, with activity up by 0.3 per cent.

However, this is lower than a predicted rise of 0.8 per cent for the month, indicating there has been a slowdown in the sector's economic recovery, the Guardian reports.

According to the ONS, manufacturing output was 0.2 per cent higher over the month, having been stable in February 2011.

Operations management specialists are advised that Barclays Corporate head of manufacturing Mark Lee told the news source: "With UK exports to non-EU countries languishing, British manufacturing is now at risk of backsliding on the real gains the industry has made over the last 18 months."

Year-on-year, UK production was up by 0.7 per cent in March, the weakest result since February 2010, with energy and manufacturing activity driving the market.

The most recent figures for the manufacturing sector published by Markit and the CIPS showed the purchasing managers' index dropped back from 56.7 in March to 54.6 in April, as the pace of expansion slowed.

Business operations ''disrupted by bank holidays and Japanese earthquake''

Thu, 12 May 2011 14:44:00 GMT

The continuing effects of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the combined impact of April's bank holidays may offer challenges to operations management professionals.

Companies have experienced widespread disruption to their supply chains as a result of the 8.9-magnitude tremor that struck the north of Japan on March 11th 2011.

The long Easter weekend and the royal wedding followed by the May bank holiday have resulted in many people having long periods of time off during the past month.

According to the Mirror, the Bank of England has expressed concern that the royal wedding break could have a substantial impact on economic growth during the second quarter of the year.

Electronics and car manufacturers have been particularly affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, with supplies of parts of components affecting production and inventory control for many businesses.

According to the Bank of England, manufacturing and services output were negatively affected in 2002 by the Queen's jubilee holiday and the same impact may be seen because of the royal wedding day off.

Operating Unconventionally a success

Thu, 12 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Institute of Operations Management’s Operational Excellence Conference 2011 at Studley Castle in Warwickshire on 11 May, has been hailed a great success after a number of years absence.

As the UK economy slowly emerges from the global recession, operations and supply chain professionals must navigate the significant changes which have developed in their own organisation, in their profession and in the economy. The IOM conference was designed to prepare delegates for the forthcoming challenges facing both themselves and their organisation.

Delegates heard from a list of high-profile speakers including:

• Professor Peter Hines, Chairman, SA Partners and Supply Chain Management Chair, Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff University opened the conference with his interesting presentation on ‘Staying Lean’, where he encouraged audience participation and feedback.

• Dr Ian Shellard, Global Physical Logistics Director, Rolls Royce plc, gave his presentation on ‘The need for innovation in aerospace aftermarket supply chains’ which held his audience captivated at the forward thinking and innovation applied which has Rolls Royce where they are today.

• Joanna Davies, Head of Business Operations, innocent drinks, gave an enthralling presentation on ‘An S&OP Journey’ which had all the delegates talking as she explained how the company’s supply chain process has changed since it’s formation in 1999.

• Ray Patrucco, Operations Development Manager, Ordnance Survey on ‘How we learned to stop worrying and love the standard’, who explained how they maintain their high standards and ensure their suppliers do too.

• Ross McLean, Consultant, Unipart Expert Practices - Supply Chain, closed the day’s proceedings with a very visual and entertaining presentation on ‘Beyond convention: how not to be average’. This presentation challenged delegates to be innovative and step out of their comfort zones.

Separate workshop streams were hosted by:

• Dr Tony Wild of Dawson, Berkeley & Partners Ltd looked at ‘Improving cash flow’.

• Mark Eaton of Amnis Ltd presented ‘Practical and productive strategy (thinking strategically in unconventional times)’.

• Robin Goodfellow, Managing Consultant, Manufacturing Business Excellence gave a talk on ‘The dos and don’ts of successful Sales and Operating Planning (S&OP)’.

IOM Manager Leonie Edwards said: ‘We are delighted to have been able to put together a very high level programme of subjects and speakers for this year’s event. The conference provided a splendid opportunity for managers to compare notes and ideas with industry leaders on crucial issues. We have received some excellent initial feedback from delegates and speakers alike which is very positive considering this was the first conference after a long absence. Next year will be even better!’

Continuous improvement director appointed by manufacturer

Wed, 11 May 2011 13:45:00 GMT

A global manufacturing company has announced the appointment of a new director of continuous improvement.

Mark Andy, which produces printing and finishing solutions, has recruited Chris Bronikowski to fill the position as he has more than 17 years of experience in the field.

The business is investing in operations management in order to enhance its lean manufacturing initiatives.

It has become increasingly involved in such projects in recent years and Mr Bronikowski has been charged with leading, driving and sustaining efforts in these areas through both cultural and technical changes to current working methods.

Paul Brauss, Mark Andy president and chief executive, stated that the new employee's "knowledge of manufacturing and his commitment to quality and issue resolution is in line with our dedication to providing the highest quality product to our global customer base".

Mr Bronikowski's appointment may be of interest to those considering obtaining APICS qualifications, which are recognised around the world as standards of quality and professionalism.

Continuous improvement director appointed by manufacturer

Wed, 11 May 2011 13:45:00 GMT

Continuous improvement director appointed by manufacturer

Wed, 11 May 2011 13:45:00 GMT

Business services ''driving UK economy''

Tue, 10 May 2011 13:09:00 GMT

The business services sector has been described as the "lifeblood of the UK's knowledge economy".

This is according to The Work Foundation, which has concluded the sector is now responsible for more than one-fifth of the financial output of the country.

Andrew Sissons, author of a report on the issue for the organisation, explained that the manufacturing industry "will continue to be hugely important for the economy".

However, those concerned with continuous improvement in companies such as law, IT and accounting businesses may be interested in his claim that business services had overtaken production as the field that can sustain fiscal recovery.

Twice the output of manufacturing now comes from such organisations, with 38 per cent of all UK economic growth since 1970 generated by the business services sector.

Commenting on recent gross domestic product figures, The Work Foundation's Ian Brinkley pointed out that signs of renewed growth were seen within knowledge intensive high value sectors over the first quarter of 2011.

Concern from GPs over NHS reforms

Mon, 09 May 2011 13:27:00 GMT

Proposed reform of the NHS by the government has hit another hurdle, with GPs expressing concern about some of the provisions made in the Health Bill.

The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) has criticised the government's approach to NHS restructuring and has called for sections of the planned legislation on issues such as provision, charging for healthcare, practice boundaries and competition to be rewritten.

According to the body, it has penned a letter to the prime minister about the issue, outlining changes it wants to see to the proposals before they are passed by the Houses of Parliament.

The RCGP wants David Cameron to ensure policies are in line with the founding principles of the NHS and has claimed that it does not believe there is a need for a "wholesale reorganisation of the health service".

A total of 24 recommendations have been made by the agency and chair Dr Clare Gerada stated: "The reforms promote competition without sufficient clarification of how services to patients will be safeguarded and improved."

With an estimated 42,000 family doctors as members, healthcare operations management professionals may be interested in previous warnings by the RCGP that the government proposals "could compromise patient safety".

UK recovery patchy, says CBI

Fri, 06 May 2011 17:03:00 GMT

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to keep interest rates on hold, citing concerns over the recent string of weak economic data.

CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty said uncertainty surrounding the UK's recovery remains high, after the Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply manufacturing producer price index dipped for a second successive month in April.

"While the recovery continues to make progress, recent economic data show that it is very patchy across sectors," he explained. "Pipeline inflationary pressures have intensified, with our economic surveys showing rapid cost inflation."

Mr McCafferty added that the CBI expects the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to begin the process of normalising the base rate later this year, although he declined to specify a particular month.

The MPC's announcement was also supported by the British Chambers of Commerce, which noted there had been only a relatively limited rebound in the manufacturing industry so far.

BCC expresses concern over UK manufacturing

Thu, 05 May 2011 16:57:00 GMT

Business body the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has warned that the UK manufacturing sector remains particularly weak and urged the Bank of England to hold firm on interest rates.

Following the publication of the latest Markit/Chartered Institute of Supply purchasing managers' index, BCC chief economist David Kern implied that Britain's finances lacked the resilience to withstand fiscal normalisation.

"Manufacturing data was at its lowest level in seven months [in April], while UK [gross domestic product] growth was fairly mediocre in the first quarter of 2011," he observed.

Mr Kern welcomed the Monetary Policy Committee's decision to keep the base rate at 0.5 per cent for at least another month, but insisted the base rate should stay at its current record low well into the second half of 2011.

Last month, the Confederation of British Industry's quarterly trends survey indicated that inflationary pressures were having a major impact on the country's manufacturing firms.

UK small business output ''driven up by strong order books''

Wed, 04 May 2011 13:12:00 GMT

Both domestic and overseas orders have pushed up output among small and medium-sized manufacturers in the UK during the three months to April 2011, new figures show.

Published by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the statistics show the volume of demand at home and abroad climbed at its most rapid pace in 16 years, with a balance of plus 16 per cent of respondents to a survey reporting an increase in domestic orders and plus 23 per cent claiming exports had risen.

Employment levels grew last month among manufacturers polled, with a balance of plus 16 per cent expanding their workforces, the highest rate recorded since January 1995.

According to the organisation, cost pressures are increasing on smaller producers, creating a squeeze on profit margins, with plus 53 per cent of those questioned saying average unit costs climbed over the quarter.

Those concerned with sales and operation planning may be interested in the comment by chair of the CBI's SME Council Lucy Armstrong that: "Inflationary pressures remain a dark cloud, with rising oil and commodity prices pushing up the cost of production and eating into profit margins."

However, overall manufacturing data for April 2011 from Markit and CIPS indicated there was a slowdown over the month from 56.7 to 54.6 in the purchasing managers' index as a result of lower domestic sales growth.

UK manufacturing growth ''constrained by domestic slowdown''

Tue, 03 May 2011 14:29:00 GMT

A dropping back of domestic orders in the UK manufacturing industry caused the pace of growth to slow in the sector during April 2011.

This is according to the most recent purchasing managers' index (PMI), which declined from 56.7 in March to 54.6 last month, as internal sales performance weakened.

However, the report from Markit and CIPS also showed that export sales continued to climb over the month in question, as overseas demand for UK products remained high.

The PMI has slipped back from a record level in January, but continues to stand over the 50 mark that represents expansion of the sector, with sharp rises in demand from nations and regions such as the US, China, Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

Operations management professionals may be interested in comments made by Markit senior economist, Rob Dobson, that "the outlook has deteriorated sharply, with new orders growth having collapsed from a booming pace at the start of the year".

UK businesses are continuing to experience pressures on manufacturing costs from high raw materials prices and inflationary growth, the Confederation of British Industry warned recently.

Klarius increases parts production to feed shortages

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:41:00 GMT

Operations management professionals may be interested to note the Klarius Group has stepped in to provide support to a number of car plants in Europe following the recent earthquake and ensuing tsunami in Japan.

After stepping in to maintain the continuation of the supply of vehicles, the group – which is the fastest-growing car aftermarket company in the European Union – is hoping to satisfy the demand for more than 100,000 parts per month.

Tony Wilson, chairman of Klarius, said: "While the events in Japan are terrible and our hearts go out to those struggling to rebuild and cope with the situation, we have been able to provide support for manufacturing sites in other parts of the world."

He explained the company has already provided shock absorbers and water pumps to various vehicle manufacturers and is hoping production among car plants in Japan will continue to be uninterrupted.

Japan is not the only country under threat from parts shortages. According to General Motors Europe chief executive Nick Reilly, Britain's automotive sector is also being affected by a lack of items being made in the UK.

Inflationary pressures ''continue to affect UK manufacturers''

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:02:00 GMT

Manufacturing businesses in the UK are facing continuing and growing inflationary pressures, it has been claimed.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) asserted the sector's recovery is "firmly on track and looks set to continue", with expansion in both domestic and overseas markets.

According to the report, the rising price of raw materials is leading to businesses raising the price of products as costs are passed on to consumers.

The business organisation's Quarterly Industrial Trends Survey of 451 firms found a balance of plus 20 per cent of respondents witnessed an increase in output during the past quarter, with both domestic and export orders expected to grow over the coming three months.

Operations management and demand planning specialists may be interested in the fact that rapid restocking of raw materials, finished goods and work in progress has been seen in recent months, with investment intentions among manufacturers remaining strong.

The CBI has also warned that more needs to be done to increase the levels of green investment in the UK in order to protect jobs and the economic recovery.

Warning over automotive parts shortages

Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:53:00 GMT

Britain's automotive sector may be facing substantial threats from parts shortages, according to one industry leader.

General Motors Europe chief executive Nick Reilly stated the competitiveness of companies is being affected by a lack of items being made in the UK.

Speaking to the BBC, he said: "I think it's the most critical issue facing the automotive industry in the UK."

Mr Reilly added: "We'll never be able to compete with another country where the suppliers are surrounding the car plants."

This may affect lean manufacturing processes, as operations management professionals attempt to source parts and keep production running among those businesses affected by shortages of parts manufacturers.

Supply chains in the UK's automotive industry have been severely disrupted in recent weeks as a result of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami affecting availability of materials for the manufacture of vehicles.

UK car production ''to be affected by Japanese earthquake''

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 13:35:00 GMT

The earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan has caused a global problem with supply chains for the automotive industry, it is reported.

According to the Independent, output from UK car manufacturers will be affected as many suspend or reduce production in order to cope with shortages.

Operations management professionals may find they are facing demand planning problems as a result of the tremor, which measured 8.9 on the Richter scale.

The news source noted a rise in production during March 2011 was reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), but warned the 14.8 per cent year-on-year climb is unlikely to be repeated this month because of shortages caused by the quake affecting companies in Japan.

"Recent announcements from UK-based manufacturers impacted by the Japanese earthquake are likely to see output drop in the short term," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

Toyota recently announced that it is suspending all production at its plants in Derbyshire and Wales as a result of a lack of parts during the Easter and royal wedding period and will reduce output during May.

In addition, Honda has revealed it is scaling back output at its facility in Swindon, Wiltshire.

Public sector ''needs to move towards online services''

Wed, 20 Apr 2011 14:23:00 GMT

The UK public sector needs to do more to ensure that services are delivered online, a new report has stated.

Published by Deloitte, it indicates e-services can offer more efficient and cheaper ways of providing information and support to individuals.

According to the study, lower cost service channels such as the internet should be considered as government cuts to public spending start to take effect.

Commenting on the report, Deloitte public sector director Joel Bellman said: "Over the last decade the public sector has often treated digital services as an add-on to traditional paper, telephone or face-to-face contact rather than a replacement for it."

He explained there had been exceptions such as online tax assessments and car tax applications, but claimed self-service channels have only had a "limited impact" to date, with substantial cost savings available if their reach is widened.

In related news, Socitm, the membership body for public sector IT professionals, has published a guide based on two recent reports aimed at providing guidance to councils about centralising digital delivery.

Average manufacturing pay settlements ''remain stable''

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:41:00 GMT

The average rate of increase in pay settlements within the UK manufacturing industry rose by 2.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2011, new data show.

Figures from EEF, the manufacturers' association, suggest the traditionally busy negotiating period has not witnessed a sharp rise in wage demands.

Experts had predicted that wages could be pushed up by growing cost pressures, but the continued labor market and economic uncertainty has restricted pay expansion.

Demand planning specialists and operations management professionals are advised the EEF report also reveals April is the second most popular month of the year for settlements to be finalised so there will be high levels of interest in this month's totals.

Lee Hopley, chief economist of the organisation, remarked: "The Bank of England will be relieved that concerns around the pass through from high inflation to greater upward pressure on pay have not materialised as yet."

The EEF has recently welcomed the launch of the UK government's Regional Growth Fund, which is intended to support research and development and generate employment within the manufacturing industry.

Trade union leaders call for strong Scottish manufacturing sector

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:55:00 GMT

A well functioning manufacturing industry is a "key component" of Scotland's economy, it has been claimed.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) has declared production needs to be supported by politicians in order to stabilise the economy following the financial markets crisis.

Growth and manufacturing is the subject of the 2011 annual STUC Congress, which commenced today (April 18th).

The organisation's general secretary, Grahame Smith, stated: "Politicians across the spectrum are now quite correctly focusing on how the economy might be rebalanced back towards manufacturing."

He added this emerging consensus should be "grasped" and finance made available to companies in the sector, something that may interest operations management professionals.

A new discussion paper has been published by the STUC entitled the Future of Manufacturing in Scotland, which outlines a series of recommendations to increase output and generate jobs.

Recent figures have shown strong growth in manufacturing output across the UK, as both domestic and overseas demand drives the market forward.

Trade union leaders call for strong Scottish manufacturing sector

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 10:55:00 GMT

IOM Africa President Dr Douglas Boateng FIOM FCILT elected Chairman of CIPS

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

IOM Africa President Dr Douglas Boateng FIOM FCILT elected Chairman of CIPS adjudication panel of leading experts

Dr Douglas Boateng appointed Chairman of CIPS's Pan African Best Practice Procurement and Supply Chain Management Adjudication Panel of experts

This team of independent and distinguished academics and leading practitioners will meet during the year to discuss plus adjudicate on best practice procurement and supply chain management in Africa. Included in the panel are supply chain subject matter experts and professionals responsible for billions of Rands and USD dollar equivalent procurement expenditure and supply chain management.

CIPS is proud to present a profession that is continually developing creative solutions to key strategic challenges and is delighted to be able to reward success.

The second annual Procurement Awards are a chance to shine, a real spotlight on the contribution our profession makes towards business health and driving the economy forward. Our Profession is going from strength to strength and these awards are testament to that.

Categories of the CIPS Procurement Award includes:

Best Procurement Community Project
Best People Development Initiative
Best Process Improvement Initiative
Best Supplier Relationship Management
Best Supplier Diversity Project
Best Procurement Project
Best Green Procurement Organization
Best Procurement Professional of the year (Public and Private Sector)

CIPS Southern Africa Managing Director Andre Coetzee, commented: Under Dr Boateng's chairmanship we look forward to identify and reward these pockets of excellence that exists in Southern Africa and the rest of the continent."

"Procurement and supply chain management and Africa's socio-economic growth are inextricably linked" says Dr Boateng .The establishment of the awards was a clear indication of the seriousness CIPS attach to identifying plus nurturing world class practices in the region.

As one of the key components in supply chain management CIPS strategic focus and more importantly its successfully tried and tested human capital development and professionalization formula continues to impress me," he explains.

The CIPS awards is the largest functional specific commercial convention on the continent attracting aspiring and practicing professionals involved in the procurement and supply chain profession. Since inception it has grown to become a leading forum for the discerning professional looking to network with colleagues and peers plus gain thought-leading ideas.

About Dr Douglas Boateng:

Dr Douglas Boateng is the Founder, President and CEO of PanAvest International a 5PSCM niche business advisory, education, training, coaching and mentoring company. The organization's goal is to assist companies to profitably extend their market reach through the application of long term innovative, Business Development Logistics and Supply Chain Management solutions. Dr Boateng is an external examiner and postgraduate and doctoral project supervisor on supply chain management at UNISA' SBL and President of the Institute of Operations Management Africa.

In addition he is the Founding Chairman of the West African Institute for Supply chain Leadership in Ghana. (aka WAISCL). WAISCL is an exclusive supply chain training public private partnership between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the PanAvest Foundation. He is an editorial board member of Smart Procurement.

Dr Boateng is a FELLOW of CIPS. In addition he is an elected Fellow of:

(a) Institute of Directors - UK & Southern Africa
(b) Chartered Management Institute - UK
(c) The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport - UK and South Africa
(d) The Institute of Operations Management - UK and Africa
(e) the Institute of Consulting - UK

UK production halted at Toyota plants

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 14:52:00 GMT

Demand planning disruptions caused by the Japanese earthquake and subsequent tsunami have led Toyota to suspend all production of vehicles in the UK.

The carmaker is the third Japanese automotive specialist to take such action after its supply chain was hit by the disaster, with activity being reduced at a number of other plants in Europe.

A lack of parts has led the firm to halt manufacturing at its two UK plants, in Wales and Derbyshire, for the forthcoming Easter and royal wedding holiday period, while output will also be lower in May.

Japan suffered an 8.9-magnitude tremor on March 11th, which caused a devastating tsunami along its north-east coast and a series of number of aftershocks in the following weeks.

As a result, operations management plans have had to be revised by a number of manufacturers and Nissan and Honda have also reduced production at their facilities as a result of part shortages in the wake of the Japanese crisis.

Nurses and midwives ''should be at forefront of healthcare''

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 16:02:00 GMT

A report submitted to the government has suggested operations management within the healthcare sector should be configured in a way that places nurses and midwives at the forefront of delivery.

The study by the Prime Minister's Commission on the Future of Nursing and Midwifery includes a series of 20 recommendations aimed at enhancing care services in England

According to the publication on frontline care, further efforts are needed to provide professionals with greater freedom to manage, commission and run services, in addition to measures to enhance quality and safety within the sector.

In a response to the report, health minister Anne Milton told the Royal College of Nursing conference: "Our plans to modernise the NHS aims to deliver high quality patient care with NHS frontline staff at the forefront."

Demand planning specialists in the public sector may also be interested to note that the government is carrying out an exercise to "pause, listen, reflect on and improve" its proposals for the future of the health service.

Welsh manufacturers lament skills shortage

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Small and medium-sized manufacturers in Wales are calling on the next assembly government to address the skills shortage in the country which is preventing many of them from taking on new staff.

Bill Ledwood, group managing director of the Unit Berwelco group, told the BBC that his current staff of 80 could be taken up to 100 if there were enough candidates boasting the necessary skills.

"It would be up to 100 (people) right now if we could get the skills. Welders, fabricators, pipefitters, machinists … there's a whole range of skills that we're short of. Getting work really isn't a problem," he stated.

He and other business leaders are calling on the next assembly government to reduce the amount of red tape manufacturers have to deal with and place a greater emphasis on apprenticeships, which will teach young people the skills they need to enter manufacturing and other sectors.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics released in September 2010 showed there were 135,000 people working in manufacturing in Wales.

Welsh manufacturers lament skills shortage

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:42:00 GMT

Regional jobs and growth fund announced

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:00 GMT

Several manufacturers are among those who will benefit from a £450 million investment pot designed to safeguard and create jobs.

The Regional Growth Fund (RGF) will see financial support given to 50 companies and partnerships which demonstrated how they would create jobs and help stimulate economic growth in their local communities.

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg stated that he was impressed by the quality of the bids received and that the money will help rebalance the economy by supporting several industries instead of a handful of larger ones.

"We need to spread opportunity across the whole country, drawing on our many talents. I know that with the right support these businesses can work with their communities and together play their part in leading the country back into prosperity," he added.

The business secretary Vince Cable said on a tour of production firms in Wales recently that manufacturing is crucial to returning the UK to economic health.

Regional jobs and growth fund announced

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:00 GMT

Regional jobs and growth fund announced

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:00 GMT

Regional jobs and growth fund announced

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:57:00 GMT

North-west manufacturing and service sectors continue resurgence

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 12:35:00 GMT

The north-west's manufacturing and service sectors have continued their recent resurgence, a new report has shown.

According to Lloyds TSB's North West Business Activity Index, private sector output increased at its fastest rate in ten months in March.

The index increased to 58.1 from 56.2 in February, with gains in new work, employment and output outstripping those of the UK as a whole.

Leigh Taylor, area director for Lloyds TSB Commercial in the north-west, said that inflation continues to weigh on manufacturers but they are continuing to press ahead nonetheless.

"Manufacturing remains the principal driver of expansion, despite a stronger contribution from the services sector in March," he added.

A recent report from the British Chambers of Commerce highlighted the pressures being put on manufacturers by the rising costs of raw materials.

In addition, many firms are struggling with cash flow issues, which is denting overall confidence, the organisation's Quarterly Economic Survey revealed.

New centre ''to explore continuous manufacturing innovations''

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:15:00 GMT

A new facility will be dedicated to the study of continuous manufacturing processes.

It is one of nine Centres for Innovative Manufacturing that have been officially launched in the UK and are intended to build on the success of three existing institutions.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is in charge of the facilities, which have been granted a total of more than £45 million in funding.

According to the Engineer, one of the premises will focus on continuous improvement in the sector, with researchers and academics exploring processes in a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, nanomaterials and food production.

Called the Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in continuous manufacturing and crystallisation, it will be led by Professor Alastair Florence of Strathclyde University and will involve specialists from a number of other UK universities.

Companies have also given the backing to the research institution, including British Salt, Croda International, Pfizer and NiTech Solutions.

The EPSRC centres are intended to stimulate economic growth in manufacturing and the breakthroughs they make could assist those involved in operations management.

Manufacturing firms ''reporting cost pressures''

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:52:00 GMT

The rising cost of raw materials is placing additional pressure on manufacturing businesses in the UK to increase their prices, a new report suggests.

Research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) also found cashflow problems are being experienced by some companies following the recession.

In its most recent Quarterly Economic Survey, the organisation warns that confidence has fallen in the sector and the recovery remains fragile, with businesses experiencing disruptions in recent months from severe winter weather conditions.

The UK economy is returning to growth in the wake of the global downturn and manufacturing exports have been strong, but the BCC study cautions that a "difficult economic environment" is in place, as spending cuts take effect and firms are affected by the rise in VAT rates at the start of 2011.

Those concerned with sales and operation planning may be interested in comments from BCC chief economist David Kern that: "The international background has become riskier for Britain's exporters, while the domestic austerity plan will intensify pressures on businesses and consumers."

Recent figures from the CIPS and Markit showed there was a slight slowdown in manufacturing activity during March 2011 compared with the previous month.

Manufacturing firms ''reporting cost pressures''

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:52:00 GMT

West Midlands manufacturers ''should improve supply chain operations''

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:54:00 GMT

Manufacturing companies operating in the West Midlands defence and aerospace industry should sign up to a scheme aimed at improving operations management, it has been suggested.

Peter Jones, the newly-appointed Manufacturing Advisory Service - West Midlands (MAS-WM) project manager for SC21, declared the programme can enhance quality within firms, assisting them in taking advantage of the growing market for such products.

He explained: "We've already assisted more than 200 businesses to embrace SC21 and this is helping the West Midlands' supply chain achieve world class manufacturing performance."

Mr Jones has previously worked with local companies through MAS-WM in areas such as continuous improvement, supply chain development and lean manufacturing.

The expert said the scheme offers a new culture and way of working that could safeguard employment in the West Midlands.

SC21 is a change programme with signatories across the region. It is focused on enhancing the competitiveness of UK businesses in the aerospace and defence field by promoting ways of reducing costs and improving the efficiency of manufacturing management.

West Midlands manufacturers ''should improve supply chain operations''

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:54:00 GMT

Strong March performance by UK services sector

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:30:00 GMT

The UK's services sector saw activity increase at its strongest rate in 13 months during March 2011, new figures show.

According to the most recent Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the industry, new business drove the expansion, with employment increasing for the first time in nine months.

Published by Markit and the CIPS, the seasonally-adjusted PMI stood at 57.1 for the month, up from 52.6 in February.

Commenting on the report, Markit senior economist Paul Smith said: "Services activity growth surprised well to the upside in March and points to the strongest expansion of the sector since the economy was surging out of its recession early last year."

However, cost pressures on the sector remain strong, while margins were squeezed, leading to only modest gains in charges.

Optimism relating to future growth dipped slightly month-on-month, despite higher sales and a rise in enquiries.

The UK's services sector accounts for an estimated three-quarters of total gross domestic product.

Operating Unconventionally – IOM Conference 2011

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Delegates are encouraged to register as soon as possible for the Institute of Operations Management’s Operational Excellence Conference 2011 – spaces are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The conference will be held at Studley Castle in Warwickshire on 11 May.

As the UK economy slowly emerges from the global recession, operations and supply chain professionals must navigate the significant changes which have developed in their own organisation, in their profession and in the economy. The IOM conference programme, which consists of a mix of a main conference stream together with a parallel workshop stream and an exhibition, has been designed to prepare delegates for the forthcoming challenges facing both themselves and their organisation.

Key themes include lean operations and why they work, supply chain innovation, balancing lean inventory with sufficiency of supplies, efficient cash flow and sales and operations planning.

Confirmed speakers include:

Dr Ian Shellard, Global Physical Logistics Director, Rolls Royce plc, on The need for innovation in aerospace aftermarket supply chains;
Professor Peter Hines, Chairman, SA Partners and Supply Chain Management Chair, Lean Enterprise Research Centre, Cardiff University on Staying Lean;
Joanna Davies, Head of Business Operations , innocent drinks on An S&OP Journey;
Ross McLean, Consultant, Unipart Expert Practices - Supply Chain on Beyond convention: how not to be average; and
Ray Patrucco, Operations Development Manager, Ordnance Survey on How we learned to stop worrying and love the standard.
John Hutchby, member of the PMD Forum Executive will discuss How Process Management Data (PMD) can help organisations improve their processes and productivity;
Dr Tony Wild of Dawson, Berkeley & Partners Ltd will look at Improving cash flow;
Mark Eaton of Amnis Ltd will present on Practical and productive strategy (thinking strategically in unconventional times).
Robin Goodfellow, Managing Consultant, Manufacturing Business Excellence will speak on the Dos and don’ts of successful Sales and Operating Planning (S&OP); and
Dr Geoff Relph, Director Inventory Matters Consulting Group, will consider Why lean inventory fails.

IOM Manager Leonie Edwards says ‘We are delighted to have been able to put together a very high level programme of subjects and speakers for this year’s event. The conference provides a splendid opportunity for managers to compare notes and ideas with industry leaders on crucial issues together with the chance for networking with the leading industry figures which constitute both the speaker and delegate lists.’

Conference registration costs £195 + VAT for IOM members or £295 + VAT for non-members and for a full package including dinner and accommodation IOM members will pay £295 + VAT and non-members £395 + VAT. For attendance at the conference dinner only both IOM members and non-members will pay £95 + VAT.

Further information and booking form facilities are available on the IOM website www.iomnet.org.uk or call 01536 740105

Service sector activity grow during January

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 10:25:00 GMT

The first month of the year saw activity in the service sector increase by 1.3 per cent, according to official figures.

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveals the industry expanded over the month from December, something that may interest those concerned with operations management and demand planning.

The latest report from the organisations shows that the seasonally-adjusted index of services climbed by 2.2 per cent year-on-year to January 2011, with all components of the market witnessing expansion during the 12 months.

Accounting for over three-quarters of total UK domestic product, the sector was negatively affected by the severe winter weather conditions that swept across the country in December.

Following the coldest final month of the year in 100 years, the index of services declined by 1.1 per cent between November and December, rising again by1.3 per cent during January.

Previously-published figures from Markit and the CIPS have indicated that the services sector saw a modest improvement in growth during February this year, comparable to levels recorded before snow and ice affected results in both December and January.

Manufacturing growth continues ''but slows''

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:37:00 GMT

There has been a further slowdown in the manufacturing industry during March 2011, new figures show.

Dipping further from a peak of 61.2 reached in January this year, the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector stood at 57.1, with any figure above 50 indicative of growth.

According to the latest statistics from Markit and the CIPS, the industry remained buoyant last month, but output price inflation reached a record high, pushed up by elevated cost inflation.

March saw a slowdown in new orders, particular in the consumer goods field, while intakes of purchases from domestic and overseas clients continued to rise.

However, the PMI was significantly higher than the long-run average of 51.3 and March marked the 20th consecutive month that producers have recorded expansion, with companies claiming demand from the US, Asia, Russia and the Middle East was increasing.

Markit senior economist Rob Dobson said: "The slowdown may simply represent a temporary easing from an unsustainably strong pace at the start of the year."

Recent data from the Confederation of British Industry indicated rising domestic demand has pushed up output in the UK manufacturing sector, but the organisation warned cost pressures may be threatening the industry's recovery.

Manufacturing growth continues ''but slows''

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Business secretary highlights manufacturing importance for growth

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:34:00 GMT

The UK's manufacturing industry is central to the country's future sustainable economic growth, the business secretary has declared.

Vince Cable made a statement during a tour of production businesses in Wales, including Tata Steel at Port Talbot and Ford's engine production plant in Bridgend.

During his visit to the south of the country, the minister also took part in a roundtable discussion with leading manufacturers in Swansea and held talks with a business advisory group in Cardiff alongside Welsh secretary Cheryl Gillan.

"Manufacturing will play a key role in producing more sustainable growth not stimulated by property bubbles or over reliant on the financial services," Dr Cable said.

Tata Steel is currently undertaking a £185 million programme to enhance productivity and efficiency at its Port Talbot site, including rebuilding its blast furnace, something that may interest manufacturing management specialists.

EEF, the manufacturers' organisation recently welcomed the government's Budget plans to increase spending for research and development, skills and technology in the sector, but warned that the proposed carbon price floor could push up energy bills.

Business secretary highlights manufacturing importance for growth

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:34:00 GMT

NHS report demonstrates 2010 improvements

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:22:00 GMT

Improvements in the performance of the NHS were seen during the fourth quarter of 2010, a new report states.

Published by the Department of Health, the study reveals quality and financial performance within the organisation continued to excel during the three months from October.

It suggests patients are getting better levels of care, while financial management is more robust.

Operations management professionals in the public sector may be interested to learn the NHS saw further falls in the rates of hospital-acquired infections during the period in question, in addition to better adult access to dentistry and improved breast and bowel cancer screening rates.

Areas earmarked for improvement include uptake of HPV vaccine among young girls and unnecessary delays in A&E.

"By keeping politics out of the NHS and freeing NHS staff to focus on outcomes for their patients, we will enable continuous improvement in the NHS," health secretary Andrew Lansley declared.

In related news, the government recently reported advances are being made in terms of reducing bureaucracy within the NHS, with a decline in the number of managers reducing administrative costs.

NHS report demonstrates 2010 improvements

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:22:00 GMT

Budget ''will assist UK''s manufacturing sector''

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:06:00 GMT

Manufacturing in the UK will receive a boost as a result of the recent 2011 Budget, it is claimed.

In a blog entry, Andrew Sissons, a researcher for the Work Foundation, welcomed measures introduced during the annual speech to the House of Commons, including the focus on producing goods in the UK.

Mr Sissons pointed to a series of 11 initiatives to assist the industry outlined in the government's Plan for Growth, including measures to increase links between companies, investment in research and a reformed Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Individuals concerned with manufacturing management may be interested in his comment that ministers need to recognise the importance of manu-services to the sector - as well as high-tech production - and ensure young people have the requisite skills to ensure its future success.

"The government needs to get even more serious and more sophisticated about manufacturing over the coming years," he declared.

In the 2011 Budget, announced on March 23rd, chancellor George Osborne stated the coalition wants to "encourage manufacturers to invest in the latest machinery and technology" and announced a series of plans, such as doubling capital allowances for short life assets.

Welcome for manufacturing boost in Budget

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:36:00 GMT

Plans in the government's budget to boost spending in skills, technology, research and development within the manufacturing sector have been welcomed.

Comments made by EEF, the manufacturers' organisation may be of interest to operations management professionals, with the body claiming the importance of ensuring the UK's success on the international stage by removing barriers to investment has been acknowledged by ministers.

However, EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler warned: "Despite the encouraging measures on investment, the significant rise in energy bills threatened by the carbon price floor is unwelcome."

In his 2011 Budget speech to the House of Commons, Mr Osborne stated the government wants "to encourage manufacturers to invest in the latest machinery and technology".

He proposed doubling the current capital allowances for short life assets to eight years and extending the current permit for the renovation of premises in assisted areas by a further five years.

In addition, he revealed the UK will become the first country in the world to introduce a carbon price floor, which will come into effect from 2013.

Manufacturing output ''boosted by domestic demand''

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 11:24:00 GMT

An increase in domestic demand has driven up output in the UK manufacturing sector, it has been claimed.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) reports that recovery in the industry is continuing, but it is threatened by cost pressures.

A poll by the organisation found companies are forecasting a sharp increase in output prices during the coming quarter, although they also anticipate a continuing rise in output growth.

According to the most recent CBI Industrial Trends Survey, a balance of plus five per cent of manufacturers reported total orders above their normal level, the highest proportion since March 2008.

CBI economic adviser Ian McCafferty remarked: "The manufacturing recovery is picking up pace, with firms predicting robust output growth over the next quarter."

However, there was a fall in the pace of growth of export order books and producers reported that rising oil and raw material costs are likely to force them to increase output prices during the next three months.

Individuals concerned with production and inventory control may also be also be interested in recent data from the Office for National Statistics showing manufacturing activity climbed by 6.8 per cent year-on-year during January 2011.

NHS efforts ''reducing bureaucracy levels''

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:39:00 GMT

The government claims progress is being made within the NHS regarding efforts to reduce bureaucracy.

According to a statement from the Department of Health, the number of managers in the sector has fallen, pushing down administrative costs.

The results of a workforce census from the NHS Information Centre may interest those concerned with continuous improvement in the health service, as it has shown the number of managers and senior bosses declined by 2,770 over the 12 months to September 2010.

A reduction of 5.7 per cent in chiefs during the year in question has pushed down costs in this area, while the same period saw the number of GPs, nurses and consultants in the service climb by 2,707 to 721,717.

"Reducing bureaucracy is vital to modernising the NHS so that every penny saved can be reinvested into improving patient care and driving up quality," health minister Simon Burns commented.

In related news, health secretary Andrew Lansley has called for an improvement in data quality across the NHS in order to improve patient outcomes.

Concerns raised about public sector HR cuts

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:36:00 GMT

The scale of cuts that have taken place in human resources (HR) departments in the public sector have been too extreme, it is claimed.

According to a poll by a recruitment consultancy, departments appear to be under-resourced after posts have been axed in the wake of the Spending Review six months ago.

Badenoch & Clark suggests morale has been affected, with 87.9 per cent of HR professionals claiming it is now either average or poor, with many predicting further roles to go in their departments and high levels of uncertainty about the future.

The survey of more than 1,000 workers in the public sector also discovered factors such as effective internal communication, team building and investment in training and development can help to enhance confidence.

Operations management professionals in the public sector may be interested in the poll and comments by Badenoch & Clark operations director Duncan Ward that "those in public sector management positions must now work to offer assurances to their teams, where possible".

In related news, new reforms to the NHS as part of government modernisation plans were recently announced by health secretary Andrew Lansley, who insisted they will benefit millions of people and ensure the service is able to cope with growing patient numbers.

Rise forecast for operations management hiring in 2011

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:57:00 GMT

The number of people employed in operations management jobs looks set to climb during 2011, new figures suggest.

A report by APICS and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington found that 64 per cent of employers expected to appoint new professionals in the field and to enhance their supply chains this year.

Carried out by specialists from the Cameron School of Business at the institution, the research also found that the number of respondents forecasting redundancies in these areas has fallen by 50 per cent.

The news may interest those who have completed operations training courses or who hold an APICS qualification, with the survey indicating the highest net employment growth in operations and supply chain management since the start of the global economic downturn.

Commenting on the poll results, Abe Eshkenazi, chief executive of APICS, stated they are "cause for optimism that 2011 may see increased job creation".

APICS qualifications offer improved team-building skills, career support, project management development and acknowledgement in the field of operations management.

Rise forecast for operations management hiring in 2011

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:57:00 GMT

Operations management ''a key concern for small manufacturers''

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Small manufacturing firms in the UK are concerned about operations management, a new poll reveals.

The report by the Forum of Private Business (FPB) found this was an area of priority among 18.7 per cent of those polled.

According to the study, overcoming difficulties in exporting goods to emerging markets was the leading focus, attracting 26.2 per cent of the vote, while one in five respondents highlighted sales and marketing as a key issue.

In addition, human resources and new product development were felt to be core concerns among respondents.

Commenting on the results, Phil Orford, chief executive of the FPB, stated: "Smaller manufacturing businesses should be able to be more flexible than their larger competitors and can move into new and emerging markets more quickly as the economy recovers."

Recent data for the manufacturing industry have indicated strong domestic and overseas growth is driving activity in the sector, with many companies reported expanding order books.

Operations management ''a key concern for small manufacturers''

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:37:00 GMT

Coalition ''should widen view of UK manufacturing''

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 12:25:00 GMT

The government needs to expand its opinion of what constitutes production in order to ensure the "manufacturing revival" it has called for, one organisation insists.

According to The Work Foundation, the coalition needs to provide support for the growing market for "manu-services".

The body states this sector, which offers innovative products alongside value-added services, is increasing in size, offering an opportunity for the UK to become a world leader in the field.

Manufacturing management professionals may be interested in the organisation's suggestion that this area is a "vital force" in the future success of the sector and should be placed at the heart of the growth agenda.

The Work Foundation estimated UK production companies now generate 15-20 per cent of their total income from services, with 28 per cent moving into the field in order to meet growing demand from customers.

Andrew Sissons, author of the report, said: "Manu-services play to Britain's strategic strengths: a highly skilled workforce, a strong service sector and excellent universities and institutions."

Recent Office for National Statistics data demonstrated a 6.8 per cent rise in UK manufacturing output over the year to January 2011.

NHS modernisation ''needed to meet future challenges''

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 09:58:00 GMT

Millions of people will benefit from government plans to modernise the NHS, it has been claimed.

In a new statement, the health secretary has outlined the arguments for overhauling the current system, as there is expected to be a jump in those with two or more conditions over the age of 65 between now and 2050 of 252 per cent.

Andrew Lansley explained this means changes are required to ensure the health service is prepared to cope with these volumes of patients, adding that almost one in three people in the UK currently suffer from a long-term illness, such as heart disease, diabetes or asthma.

Those specialising in demand planning and operations management in the NHS may be interested in his comments that the greatest volume of patients comes from the over-60s demographic and this looks set to grow.

Mr Lansley called for a new approach for those with long-term conditions, adding: "Patients don't want to see lots of different people for lots of different consultations - they want one team who can give them the advice, support and care they need."

He recently announced the allocation of £775 million over five years to fund translational research aimed at benefiting NHS patients in the future.

Manufacturing activity rises further in UK

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 14:33:00 GMT

The year to January 2011 saw a 6.8 per cent increase in manufacturing output within the UK.

New figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show the industry witnessed a year-on-year rise on a seasonally-adjusted basis, with demand planning specialists advised that production was higher in 12 out of 13 sub-sectors.

Manufacturing expansion was boosted in particular by strong growth in the fields of electrical and optical equipment, which saw output stand 14.6 per cent higher during the 12 months in question.

Additionally, there was a 12 per cent climb in the transport production field, with particularly strong growth in motor vehicle and engine parts manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the ONS revealed the overall Index of Production was 4.4 per cent higher during the year in question, as the mining and quarrying market dipped by 4.8 per cent and electricity, gas and water supply remained stable.

The Purchasing Managers' Index for manufacturing in the UK was a record 61.5 during February 2011, with any figure above 50 indicative of growth.

Police force ''could lose 28k through funding cuts''

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:15:00 GMT

As many as 28,000 police jobs could be axed as government spending cuts start to hit the service.

This is the view expressed by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) in a confidential communication to ministers, the Guardian reports.

According to the news source, the ACPO predicts as many as 28,000 positions could be cut during the next four years in police forces across England and Wales, comprising 12,000 officers and 16,000 members of support staff.

However, a spokeswoman for the police body stated: "Chief officers are determined to do all they can to drive out inefficiencies and protect frontline delivery of policing."

Operations management experts in the public sector could find themselves facing fresh challenges as staff numbers are reduced in order to tackle the UK's budget deficit.

In related news, health secretary Andrew Lansley recently revealed GPs covering around two-thirds of the country have agreed to new continuous improvement plans intended to modernise the service and create more personalised care for patients.

Police force ''could lose 28k through funding cuts''

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:15:00 GMT

Police force ''could lose 28k through funding cuts''

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:15:00 GMT

Manufacturing activity ''continues to outpace expectations''

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 11:28:00 GMT

The first quarter of 2011 is seeing manufacturing activity in the UK exceed expectations once again, a new report suggests.

Research by BDO and EEF, the manufacturers' organisation shows exports are continuing to drive expansion of the industry, with firms continuing to hire new employees and invest in their operations.

According to the study, strong growth in the sector has been maintained and output and new orders are expected to hold up during the second three months of the year.

However, the organisations warned those in manufacturing management that price pressures on the industry are building and concerns about accessing finance and the stability of the recovery could affect expansion.

"The outlook for the rest of 2011 still remains uncertain as a number of economic headwinds persist and new geopolitical tensions add another layer of uncertainty to economic forecasts," EEF chief economist Lee Hopley stated.

In the latest Purchasing Managers' Index for manufacturing, Markit and CIPS indicated record rates of growth in the sector continued during February 2011.

New orders growth ''drives up global manufacturing PMI''

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:11:00 GMT

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the global manufacturing industry reached its joint second-highest level during February this year, new figures have shown.

Data from JPMorgan revealed growth in new orders and output boosted activity from January, with production up for 21 months in a row.

The Global Manufacturing PMI jumped to 57.8 in February 2011, continuing a strong start to the year by the sector, with any figure above 50 indicating growth.

Individuals concerned with continuous improvement and manufacturing management may be interested in the news that job creation sped up over the month in question.

Compiled by Markit Economics, the study also showed input prices climbed at their fastest rate in 2.5 years.

JPMorgan director of global economics coordination David Hensley remarked: "Inflationary pressures are building, as rising commodity prices, particularly for oil and softs, drove up manufacturer's costs."

The CIPS and Markit PMI for the UK's production sector rose stood at a record 61.5 in February.

New orders growth ''drives up global manufacturing PMI''

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:11:00 GMT

New orders growth ''drives up global manufacturing PMI''

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:11:00 GMT

UK services sector sees ''modest'' growth in February

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:40:00 GMT

The services sector in the UK witnessed a modest improvement in growth during February 2011, new figures show.

According to the latest data from Markit and the CIPS, the industry saw expansion comparable to that seen before the extreme winter weather affected results for December and January.

Operations management specialists in the sector may be interested to learn the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the month demonstrated forward-looking indicators for February were "positive", with new business rising steadily.

In addition, confidence among respondents climbed to a nine-month high, although rising costs continued to put pressure on margins, leading to a slight dip in employment over the period in question.

The activity PMI declined from 54.5 in January to 52.6, following a contraction in December as a result of snow and ice sweeping across the country.

Sectors that performed particularly strongly included personal services and hotels, catering and restaurants.

However, the slowdown in services growth was seen as sharper than anticipated, with the Telegraph predicting it could persuade economists to hold interests rates a while longer.

UK services sector sees ''modest'' growth in February

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:40:00 GMT

UK services sector sees ''modest'' growth in February

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:40:00 GMT

UK services sector sees ''modest'' growth in February

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 13:40:00 GMT

CBI: Government needs to nurture IP framework

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:24:00 GMT

The government needs to work to maintain the UK's high quality intellectual property (IP) framework that has helped to attract businesses operating in the aerospace, pharmaceuticals and commercial goods markets, it has been suggested.

According to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the country's IP structure is "fundamental" to supporting such sectors.

It called on the Intellectual Property Office to offer more support to small and medium-sized enterprises so they can bring their ideas to market as quickly as possible.

"Intellectual property is a key economic driver and should be considered one of our crown jewels," CBI director-general John Cridland stated.

He urged the government to "set out a clear and unambiguous aspiration" to make the UK a leading destination for companies wishing to create and utilise IP,

The CBI recently noted production in the UK is continuing to recover, with orders from both domestic and overseas firms rising and expansion expected this quarter.

CBI: Government needs to nurture IP framework

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:24:00 GMT

CBI: Government needs to nurture IP framework

Fri, 04 Mar 2011 16:24:00 GMT

GPs ''sign up to NHS modernisation''

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:59:00 GMT

The government has announced that GPs accounting for two-thirds of the country have signed up for new operations management plans.

Aimed at modernising the NHS, the Department of Health strategy is intended to adapt the role of practices to ensure they offer patients a more personalised service.

Andrew Lansley, the health secretary, announced the number of GPs signing up to the scheme, with 177 groups of practices selected to play a greater role in commissioning healthcare.

Mr Lansley stated: "This is a truly bottom-up response, as demonstrated by the varying shape and size of the GP pathfinder groups. The speed of uptake is also highly encouraging."

He revealed 35 million people will benefit from the continuous improvement in services, providing GPs with greater powers to manage local budgets and purchase services on behalf of patients.

Meanwhile, 106 charities have been awarded a total of £3.6 million by the Department of Health through the Financial Assistance Fund in order to ensure their continuing survival, providing a range of support for thousands of people.

GPs ''sign up to NHS modernisation''

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:59:00 GMT

GPs ''sign up to NHS modernisation''

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:59:00 GMT

Manufacturing PMI ''remains at peak levels''

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 14:07:00 GMT

Activity in the manufacturing industry continued to grow at a record rate in February, following on from a series high seen in January this year.

The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the sector stood at 61.5, with any number above 50 suggesting expansion, as strong export activity continued to boost new orders.

According to the figures from Markit and the CIPS, the PMI has been higher than 50 for 19 consecutive months, with high levels of new orders driving output and record rates of job creation in February.

However, those concerned with manufacturing management may also be interested in comments made by CIPS chief executive David Noble, in which he warned: "The fly in the ointment remains macro-level inflation which is likely to go from bad to worse due to the unrest in Libya and escalating oil prices."

In related news, EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, has urged the chancellor George Osborne to include policies aimed at boosting growth and jobs in the sector in his 2011 Budget this month.