Mean business with lean manufacturing

On July 11, the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), in association with the DTI’s Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS), is running a high level conference on lean business thinking for manufacturers beyond the shop floor. Aimed at managing directors, finance directors and operations directors and managers, it will explore lean opportunities, methods, secrets and successes in companies’ factories, back and front office functions, supply chains, even engineering design departments – with speakers said by AME chairman Bob Davis, managing director of Deltron-Emcon, to “blow you away.” The event is being staged at the Heritage Motor Museum, Gaydon, Warwickshire, and is being organised by the journals Manufacturing Computer Solutions and Works Management. Speakers include the legendary Joe Booth – lean advocate with 30 years manufacturing experience – and Chris McKellen, who set up a world class manufacturing plant for a global automotive components manufacturer in Shanghai. McKellen specialises in modern manufacturing techniques, lean supply chain thinking and appropriate IT. Price for delegates is £175, with an early bird discount to £150 for bookings before 5 June, and that includes membership of AME UK for the rest of 2006 free. AME UK is the UK chapter of the US not for profit Association of Manufacturing Excellence networking organisation for senior business executives. It’s goals are to promote manufacturing competitiveness through learning the how-to and why-to turn to modern lean thinking. Members claims include inventory reduced 82%, set-up time reduced 79%, lead times reduced 84%, production floor space requirement reduced 50%, labour requirement reduced 29% and product development lead-time halved. Go to www.leanbusiness.co.uk for conference information and booking.