Lean fundamentals workshop for makers and start-up manufacturers

The fully funded workshop has been designed specifically to help small-scale makers and start-ups in Greater Manchester get started with lean thinking.

The engaging session will be delivered by specialist Manufacturing Advisor Nick Brandwood, who has over 20 years’ experience helping to embed lean thinking and continuous improvement in manufacturing businesses of all sizes.

The workshop will focus on three core themes, each with an emphasis on developing problem solving habits and routines:

• Lean tools and techniques to identify and eliminate waste in all its forms
• The process of identifying, prioritising and implementing lean improvement projects
• Measuring project benefits and linking them to business benefits including Quality, Cost and Delivery.

Delegates will begin with a short self-audit before being supported to identify their own target conditions, next actionable steps and areas of focus for their business. The workshop will then finish with an interactive Lego game simulation.

Commenting on the relevance of lean thinking to makers and start-ups, Nick explained:

“Lean thinking isn’t just relevant to global automotive companies – the benefits are the same in small manufacturers of all types, whether you are already established or just taking root. It’s about listening to the voice of the customer, understanding what your customer values and removing from your process all non-value adding activity.

“The Make it Lean course is all about helping makers of any size to identify and take the next improvement step towards being a world-class manufacturer, by being lower cost than the companies that make the same product as you.”

Following the workshop, there will the option of a follow-up one-to-one session to help delegates refine their actions and begin implementing their ideas in the workplace.