Member Article

Manufacturing ‘Diplomats’ awarded at University ceremony

Manufacturing ‘Diplomats’ celebrated educational excellence at an academic award ceremony at The University of Manchester.

The high flying managers were awarded The Diploma in Manufacturing, a nationally recognised qualification by The Manufacturing Institute, that is quality assured by The University of Manchester.

The manufacturing professionals have fast tracked their careers and boosted productivity and profits in their companies by gaining the Diploma, a two-year part-time programme - delivered by manufacturers for manufacturers to raise performance in the sector.

Barry Machen, Unit Manager for Unilever in Manchester, was awarded a Distinction. He was able to apply his part-time studies to improving performance within the company’s tea blending and packing operation. This resulted in major efficiencies and helped him to secure promotion. He said: “My biggest learning point was that employee engagement and empowering people are an integral part of continuous improvement. The tools, knowledge and leadership skills I developed through the Diploma were crucial in helping me to identify and implement improvements to reduce waste.”

Mark Hubbard, Operations Manager for Warrington-based PQ Silicas UK Ltd, also gained a Distinction. He used his Diploma project to achieve significant efficiencies at the precipitates plant. This focused on behavioural changes to ensure that employees were fully involved in designing and implementing business improvement activities that have already reduced production changeover times and increased plant availability.

PQ Silicas colleague and Diploma graduate Assistant Plant Manager Chris Bate, added: “The working with people aspects of the Diploma were particularly useful - enabling me to understand better how to interact with different characters and tailor training towards their needs. It also enabled me to improve my negotiation and communication skills, so that I’ve been able to put arguments forward to win investment for areas of business improvement. “

Among the graduates were two managers at Huddersfield-based Marshalls Mono Ltd. Site Production Manager Stuart Brown, said: : “The Diploma benefited me personally since I was promoted within the first six months based on what I was achieving. In 2014 we will implement my Diploma project which will lead to a different, more cost effective method of manufacturing one of our premium products, and enable us to extend this product range. The return on investment is expected to take less than three weeks.”

Marshalls Business Improvement Manager Stuart Bravington added: “The Diploma enabled me to look at things through a different set of eyes. Because the modules were work based, most of them had a direct impact on the business. The people development skills I learned were a big win and I was able to apply that back in the workplace.”

Other graduates included Daniel Capers, Fuel Services Operations Manager at Sellafield Ltd; Darren Wilson, Operations Director at Runcorn-based Reagent Chemical Services, and Brenton Breukers, Shift Supervisor at Manchester-based M&I Materials.

Daniel Capers was able to apply his Diploma project to introduce a Plant Operations Control Centre at Sellafield, enabling the operations team to review key performance indicators in a stand up meeting around visual display systems. This provides a snapshot of operations for all employees, while helping to inform and improve decision making.

Darren Wilson used his learning to put forward a plan for transforming the layout of the factory along more efficient lean manufacturing principles. This will result in major cost savings, quality improvements and reduced lead times. He said: “Although the course is academic, it is very practical and I’ve been able to transfer my learning to my own work situation, as evidenced by the final diploma project, which will have a big impact on the company.”

Brenton Breukers has developed a plan for production improvements to prepare for anticipated sales growth of a key product line. He identified lean manufacturing techniques that could be deployed to increase capacity and productivity ready for increasing output at M&I Materials.

Julie Madigan, Manufacturing Institute CEO, added: “Now entering its 20th year, The Diploma in Manufacturing continues to provide a high level development programme for experienced and talented team leaders and managers who might not, otherwise, have the opportunity to participate in higher education.

“Our sector has transformed and is driven by skills, research and smarter ways of doing things. Our Diploma graduates are leading this march of the makers to even greater heights and we will follow their future successes keenly.” High achieving practitioners from top manufacturing companies work with experts from leading UK Universities to deliver the Diploma. It provides a blueprint for those tasked with performance improvement and is a pragmatic, post experience learning programme that applies education to the workplace to deliver powerful results.

Further information: www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by The Manufacturing Institute .