PRESS RELEASE: AUTO MARINE CABLES SEES INVESTMENT IN TRAINING REPAID IN SUBSTANTIAL COST SAVINGS

A Manchester-based manufacturing company is reaping the rewards of a long-term investment in skills training that has contributing to cost saving measures that have boosted profits by up to 40 per cent. Auto Marine Cables Limited specialises in the manufacture of low voltage cables for the automotive and marine manufacturing industries and has the capacity to produce more than two million metres of cable every week with its extrusion lines operating 24 hours a day. Despite several economic recessions since the company was founded in 1964, Auto Marine Cables has seen consistent growth in both turnover and product portfolio. But it is weathering the current economic storm as a result of training staff in the latest lean manufacturing tools techniques. Initially the company aimed to improve productivity and customer satisfaction but it soon became clear that the measures it was taking had limited benefits for shop floor productivity. Explained Alan Ainscough, the company’s Operations Manager: “As a company we realised that we needed sustainable shop floor-based productivity improvements and our employees needed to realise their potential to continuously contribute to this process. “The Business Improvement Techniques (B-IT) NVQ qualification was chosen to drive through this improvement strategy as it represented a ‘low risk’ option that was funded totally through the Learning and Skills Council’s Train 2 Gain funding. “The only costs we had were ‘off job’ ones, amounting to approximately £11,000, but we have seen this investment repaid many times over.” In order to maximise the benefits of their investment in skills development, Auto Marine Cables needed a training provider with particular expertise in the manufacturing sector. They eventually chose two Northwest based providers Business Impact Ltd and Preston College, after learning that they are approved with the National Skills Academy for Manufacturing (The Skills Academy) for the delivery of Business Improve Techniques (B-IT) Training and NVQ assessment. Continued Alan: “So far 36 operators have achieved B-IT NVQ Level 2, and six of these have gone on to achieve level 3 and as a direct result of the improvement projects that followed we have seen a reduction in costs across a number of production areas. “In fact we have seen a 12.5 per cent reduction in waste material during the extrusion process and now we re-use of packaging materials in the processing area. The company has also seen 30 per cent costs saving as a result of reduced electricity and compressed air usage whilst health and safety and internal communications have also improved. “Giving our Employees practical hands on training, learning the necessary improvement skills, supported by a recognisable qualification was the missing link in our improvement strategy; which is now complete. The success and benefits have exceeded my expectations, and they give us a great platform to build upon,” Alan added. Alan’s enthusiasm for the programme is shared by Peter Hammond, Managing Director of Auto Marine Cables, who believes that the days of ‘just do your job and don’t ask any questions’ have long gone. “If you want your business to be successful in the 21st century, you need everyone to work towards your company’s goals and targets. People need to understand the logic behind your improvement programme and spend no time resisting, and all their time working as a team towards the common cause,” he said. David Young, North West Regional Engagement Manager for The Skills Academy says he is delighted to be working with such a forward thinking company with training at the heart of its future plans. “The Skills Academy believes that training and development are essential for the survival and future prosperity of manufacturing companies in the UK. Auto Marine Cables provides an excellent example of just what can be achieved by adopting the latest working practices and combining them with the most appropriate training for the entire workforce,” he said. - - - E N D S - - - Editor’s Notes The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing (“The Skills Academy”) puts employers firmly in the driving seat to raise the standards of skills and work-based learning. Tasked by the Government to work in partnership with employers, training providers and support organisations we deliver an independent national standard for manufacturing training content, delivery and process. The Skills Academy provides a beacon of security for employers, ensuring that all training providers are approved to deliver the best content in the most powerful and cost effective way possible, so that our programme members receive the best value training to world-class standards.

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