Page 27 - BOSS Today Issue 2

CASE STUDY:

CONCORD

In its search for new premises, Concord Office Products
identified streamlining operations and reducing rental and
operating costs as top priorities.
Following a management change, the directors of the
south-east London based office products manufacturer, with
a turnover of £12 million and 133 staff, took the decision
to downsize. The factory, purpose-built for the previous
company several years ago, occupied 134,000 square feet
– making it too large and expensive to maintain. Moving to
a smaller site made sense: it would give it the opportunity to
streamline its operations, while reducing costs.
With such a significant move in mind, Concord’s
Managing Director Chris Manley called in BPIF Business
factory layout and planning specialist, Mike Craven, in late
2007. Manley explains: “We wanted a site that would not
n today’s competitive and workflow relationship diagram only be compact but have the potential for expansion. With
cost-conscious market, it’s to illustrate the company’s flow so much at stake, expert help was essential.”
Iessential to ensure that of products between each Craven’s role was twofold: to assess the space required
every part of your business process. The expert will also for a more streamlined operation and develop a factory
is working at peak efficiency. consider any special process layout to achieve this. A workflow relationship diagram
And that includes your factory/ requirements and the physical identified several redundant machines. These were taking
warehouse layout. attributes of your building and up valuable space; removing them made possible the
A well-planned layout equipment, such as height move to smaller premises.
promotes better workflow, restrictions and environmental With Concord’s process requirements in mind, Craven
helps to improve productivity issues. Working closely with developed a factory layout which reduced the company’s
– and can make a positive management and staff, he will space needs by more than 40,000 square feet. Concord
impression on clients. design alternative layouts for was then able to look for a suitable site and found one
If you’re thinking about discussion and produce large- that virtually matched its requirements for the factory part
moving premises, it’s vital to scale drawings showing the of the operation. Craven’s next task involved considering
choose the right property. ideal layout for your building. the relationship between studio, pre-press, supervision
If it’s too small, you might Making sure that your new and office facilities in the new building – to make certain
end up needing additional factory layout is as efficient as that the layout would ensure minimal movement of stock
accommodation elsewhere. If possible will cut labour costs between processes.
it’s too big, you could be paying for the movement of stock, Concord moved into its new factory in early 2008.
for space you don’t need. reduce machine downtime Manley is pleased with the way things have worked out.
That’s why you might want and improve your business’s “We now have a much more practical manufacturing
to consider investing in the productivity. site, one that we can be proud of and with potential for
Factory Planning and Layout Each support programme is development in the long term. We are currently in the
service, available to BOSS designed specifically to meet process of reworking Mike’s design to ensure that it remains
members through the BPIF. your needs. It can include a relevant to our latest manufacturing requirements.”
Factory layout experts can full range of factory planning
provide advice and support that and layout advice, and even BENEFITS
is tailored to your company’s project management for
needs. implementation if you wish. ✱ Saves money
A specialist will survey all ✱ Defines optimal workflows
your machinery and work out n FOR MORE INFORMATION ✱ Boosts staff achievement and morale
detailed dimensions. He will PLEASE CONTACT RYAN ✱ Reduces machine downtime
look at your current methods of O’NEAL ON 0207 915 8322 or ✱ Increases productivity
operation and then construct a ryan.o’neal@bpif.org.uk. ✱ Offers keener pricing opportunities

November/December 2009 | BOSS TODAY 27

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