Manufacturing businessman promotes action now

Showan challenged visitors on the current prognosis which continually expounds the decline of manufacturing in the UK by saying: “Right now, more than ever before, we are facing our greatest opportunity for manufacturing in the UK, because we have a vast range of new technologies, systems, experience and skills to lead the way. This opportunity will not last forever. Other countries will rapidly evolve and catch us up. We need to act now!” He believes that companies that are labour intensive have to automate to survive. Whilst this is not necessarily new, Showan’s passion and vision stressed that most companies are only making a partial attempt to automate and innovate – they do not look at the whole production system – from the customer through to delivery - and how technology can be used to optimise processes and reduce human intervention. The factory enables Jali to manufacture bespoke furniture components quickly and economically. A combination of the efficiency of production line techniques and the flexibility of a traditional joinery has allowed Jali to develop individual state-of-the-art computer-controlled cutting machines. Some of the techniques introduced to the Jali business include many of the lean toolbox concepts such as: Muda (Waste elimination); SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die); Kaizen; Gemba; JIT (Just-In-Time); Do now and Do Lists, Kaikaku; Kanban etc All of which have contributed to a joined up seamless production process. Jali are among the few selected companies in London and the South East of England who have been approved as hosts on the best practice visit programme. The programme is being delivered by the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East and MAS London.