Engineering Fellows

Nifco UK Ltd, Stockton-on-Tees, Tees Valley

Automotive Industry
360 employees

They contacted NEPA as a measure to improve the quality of product they offer their customers, and in turn raise levels of consistency in their production techniques. After an initial visit, the NEPA Engineering Fellows recommended its model cell development. Also discussed was the use of OPD (Objective Policy Deployments) to improve their overall business performance.

The assistance they received from NEPA has been very successful. Their quality performance has now improved significantly, making a major contribution to their first 0 PPM period for over three years. The practices introduced have contributed to their performance sustainability, and their continued use will help their business maintain this performance now and in the future.

Cramlington Precision Forge Ltd, Cramlington, Northumberland

General manufacturing
48 employees

The company’s challenge was how to make their already profitable company operate more efficiently. One area of the business they looked into was improving their accuracy in measuring their Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), analysing the data and implementing lean manufacturing techniques in order to raise internal quality standards and increase productivity.

After being introduced to the benefits of NEPA at a Lean Manufacturing event at The Sage Gateshead, they contacted the NEPA team for assistance. They are currently analysing their processes, as well as using a Value Stream Map to highlight potential focus areas of improvement. This has led them to address their scrap levels and downtime issues in their press and machine shop. They are already experiencing the benefits of this service, with processes working more efficiently and communication improving across the plant.