Manufacturers: see how you shape up

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation

EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, has launched a free Lean benchmarking tool that manufacturers can use to see how their business measures up.

The move is part of its drive to boost the sector’s productivity and efficiency and to get firms fighting fit for 4IR (the 4th industrial revolution).

The tool is free, simple to use and runs through a series of in-depth questions that will help companies to identify and prioritise future business improvements. It allows firms to explore Lean Manufacturing practices at their own pace, brushing up on their existing efforts or seeing for themselves how this world-class technique, already used extensively by industry heavy-weights, could help transform their business.

The comprehensive self-assessment tool helps bosses to measure current business performance, benchmark against other sectors and industries, apply metrics to measure the success of Lean activities and embed an effective improvement strategy that works.

To encourage even more manufacturers to undertake this valuable benchmarking exercise, EEF’s Lean experts will be on hand at the Cranfield National Manufacturing Debate 25th May to talk people through the test and help them to complete it.

Martin Strutt, Consultancy Director at EEF, said: “This free benchmarking tool is a great opportunity for companies to find out more about game-changing Lean techniques, but in a way that is very relevant to their own business.

“Lean transforms businesses through a process of continuous improvement. It is already playing a critical role in boosting efficiency and sustainable growth in our sector and this will only increase as companies gear up for 4IR. It’s important that we help and encourage UK manufacturers to explore these techniques so they can stay ahead of the curve.”