News Article
A North East manufacturer that suffered difficult trading conditions three years ago confirmed its re-emergence as market leaders with the royal seal of approval.
Davy Roll faced a bleak future in 2004 as orders dried up at their Gateshead factory, but through tapping into new international markets and adopting lean manufacturing techniques the company is to be presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, next week.
It is a major achievement for Davy Roll, which has seen sales figures swell from £16m in 2003 to £48m this year, and one which has been achieved with help from the North East Productivity Alliance (NEPA).
One North East’s NEPA team helped implement lean manufacturing techniques at the plant, saving the company thousands and ensuring maximum output from the company’s production lines.
“The company was facing some real tough times when we first contacted the NEPA team. Our customers were downsizing, we weren’t cost effective and we needed to improve our productivity quickly said Davy Roll Managing Director, Steve Bell.”
Steve called in experts from the North East Productivity Alliance (NEPA) to help the firm achieved the maximum possible output from its production processes.
By training two employees as NEPA Change Agents, implementing workforce training, management development, reducing scrap and waste levels and changing working practices.
Davy Roll now boasts 130 workers trained to NVQ level two and two full-time NEPA change agents at the plant, whereas previously very few employees had any further education qualifications.
NEPA Best Practice Manager, Dr Colin Herron, said: “I am delighted that Davy Roll is being honoured with the Queen’s Award. The entire workforce at the plant embraced the NEPA methods. It is particularly special for me as Davy Roll was one of the first companies that NEPA worked with.
“The enthusiasm to improve and adopt the lean manufacturing techniques is what made this project successful.”
The Davy Roll Company manufactures cast rolls for hot and cold strip mills, medium and heavy section mills and plate mills, in a variety of iron and steel qualities. Rolls up to 55 tonnes finished weight are produced by static and spin-cast techniques.
It currently employs 288 people and has occupied the same site in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, since 1840
For more information please contact: Bryn Littleton, press office, One North East on Tel: (0191) 2296713, mobile no: 07717 468918.
e-mail : bryn.littleton@onenortheast.co.uk
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