Logo Top Home  About the Institution of Operations Management  Contact Us  Shopping Basket  Member Login  Forum 
Institute of Operations Management
Membership Education and Training Events Learning Resources Journal and News Members Only
 
Search Options
Click here to Search the Website
Join the IOM Today
Find us on LinkedIn
Read about APICS
Operations Management News RSS feed Why not subscribe to our RSS feed of IOM News?

Etruria Industrial Museum – e-petition

10 December 2010
Add to: Digg Add to: Del.icio.us Add to: Facebook Add to: Furl Add to: Google Add to: Live Spaces Add to: MySpace Add to: StumbleUpon Add to: Twitter
Etruria Industrial Museum is the last steam-powered potters' mill in Britain. The mill is 'in steam' seven times a year when the 1903 boiler is fired and historic machinery can be seen working. Situated on the canal, the museum also offers a family-friendly interactive exhibition. Located in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent, the museum is at risk of closure having been included in the local council’s proposals for cut backs.

Register your support and sign the e-petition now!

Tony Green MBE has been involved in the restoration, maintenance and running of this museum from the start, some 32 years ago, all as a volunteer and for which he was honoured with the award of MBE in this year’s News Years Honours list.

Tony Green says: “We form part of the vital link in the history of the potteries as the only steam powered potters mill left in working order anywhere in the world, showing the history of the preparation of the raw materials for the pottery industry, and as such, have been granted Historic Monument Status by English Heritage. We also fulfil an important role in education and the local community.”

The mill itself is a fascinating example of a self contained industrial process. Historically, canal boats would bring clay, animal bones, limestone and other raw materials in, and the mill would transform them into the slip-clay which was/is used to make pottery. Items derived from this process were shipped all over the world.

This early factory, driven by a (working) steam engine which in turn drives visible production cells, is captivating for operations professionals, particularly as it is a living example of one of the first lean production systems. The factory demonstrates concepts such as cellular manufacturing, CONWIP (constant work in progress), factory layout, Just-In-Time production, supply chain management and logistics.

IOM, as the UK's principal professional society for operations management – traditionally in the manufacturing sector, more recently supporting process improvement in the service industry and public sector – is keen to support this national treasure, and is launching a campaign to stop the potential 'spending cuts' closure of Etruria Industrial Museum.

The Institute is planning a number of initiatives aimed at growing awareness to build support for the mill, including a site visit for IOM members, an article in Operations Management, a PR campaign and regular news updates.

In the first instance, members can sign an e-petition at http://eim.epetitions.net/ to register their support; then keep an eye out for updates through your journal and news bulletin.
Bookmark this Article Link to this Article Subscribe to the IOM Newsletter Send this Article to a Friend/Colleague

Related News

5 January 2012
The Institute of Operations Management (IOM) has made further progress in its programme of accrediting UK universities and other educational establish....
12 August 2011
In parallel with the proposal to introduce better governance nominations are sought from Members interested in standing for election for five Director....
9 May 2012
.style3 { background-color: #000000; } .style2 { background-color: #FFFFFF; } .style24 { font-family: Arial, Helvetica, ....
19 December 2011
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 workplac....

Link To This Article

Copy and Paste the following HTML into your page.
 
The Institute of Operations Management, CILT(UK), Earlstrees Court, Earlstrees Road, Corby, Northants NN17 4AX.
Tel: 01536 740105. Fax: 01536 740101. Email: info@iomnet.org.uk
    © 2012, The Institute of Operations Management.     Help |  Site Map |  Legal Disclaimer |  Privacy Policy Designed By ZARR