Arcol UK Ltd
Alun Morgan, Technical Director, Arcol and Martyn Pearson, Manufacturing Advisor, MAS
A Cornwall-based manufacturing company specialising in the production of power resistors was determined to improve workforce efficiency and operational performance in order to grasp new opportunities from overseas markets.
The manufacturing challenge
Prior to working with MAS, Arcol already had a well established reputation for supplying high quality products to many multinational clients including NASA. However, the Directors wanted to maximise the company’s potential to expand into new territories.
“After completing a training course with a local college, I was introduced to Martyn Pearson, Manufacturing Advisor at MAS. He invited me to a local event where MAS ran a workshop on value stream mapping. I was immediately impressed at how such an analysis could enable us to see clearly where we could reduce waste and increase our capacity for growth,” said Alun Morgan, Technical Director, Arcol.
Alun Morgan, Technical Director, Arcol
MAS Action
“MAS provided a vehicle for introducing improvements and then supported us as we implemented them. We encouraged a culture shift across the whole business as the rest of the market was changing around us. MAS woke us up and moved us from the old adage of ‘we’re alright’, to a company ready to meet the current demands and the opportunities that lay ahead,” said Alun.
“Arcol has ambitious expansion plans for the future, and with a new facility on site, is ideally poised to capitalise on opportunities to expand into new markets. With our help in reviewing and changing the company’s ethos, Alun is now confident in making operational changes within the business. Arcol has a strong platform for a dynamic future.” Martyn Pearson, Manufacturing Advisor, MAS
Results
“By drastically reducing waste, we have been able to achieve better ‘on time’ delivery performance and sustained improvement of productivity levels. We went from a distributed manufacturing process that was, as one of my colleagues once commented, ‘designed by hand grenades,’ to a more compact, structured process. Overall we have become more efficient and therefore more profitable, which has allowed us to invest and expand the business more readily. We are both excited and confident for the future.”
- Employees: 45
- Turnover: £3m
- Sector: Electro / mechanical sub-assemblies
- Location: Truro, Cornwall
