Improve Group Competitive Manufacturing

"We highly recommend the Improve Group's CM program to organisations looking to achieve world class practices. Our business is now operating in a global market."

Derek Berg – Berg Engineering

"Australian Apprenticeships Centres in the Gladstone region has trainees undertaking the lean manufacturing coaching with The Improve Group. We encourage many workplaces to undertake this training. Many of the staff who initially signed up in this traineeship were apprehensive and I believe it was difficult also for the employers to implement the changes needed. But we saw huge changes take place. The employees have done a massive turnaround and have given a presentation on how they implemented lean manufacturing into their workplace and how much of a difference it has made to the everyday workload and staff attitudes. They were very eager to share the experience and it has made an amazing difference not only to their workplace, but also to the environment and to their attitudes. These changes have extended to management and administration too.

Yesterday was fantastic and we believe the Competitive Manufacturing Program has a lot of potential as we seen yesterday, the results... Not only in the workplace but the employers who have implemented the changes in the workplace."

Bernadette Ryan, Consultant, Gladstone Qld, Australia

"The training team has embraced the concepts of problem solving and implemented a number of mistake proofing initiatives which have improved efficiencies and reduced defects in their manufacturing processes.

The capacity increases were required to support our customer, and this program provided tools to assist and drive this objective. There has been a quantifiable change in shop floor staff culture. The leadership and facilitation skills developed through the program, has given them the confidence in their abilities to make a difference. They are now able to mentor and support current and new staff through a continuous improvement culture".

Paul Truman – Talvor Motorhomes

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"The Shop floor operations team is so enthusiastic about the benefits they can see from the CM coaching received. The training has given them a clear line of sight. They've seen first-hand how it reduces their time and effort and ultimately makes their job easier. The crews are more confident and have been spreading the CM word to other teams within the company".

Albert Baker – Australian Tube Mills

"Thank you very much. You have done a great job in completing the 5 participants in their remaining assignments. I can say that they are all very happy that have now completed the course".

Sanjay Kumar – Australian Tube Mills

"It was my pleasure today to meet Tim Barsony at our Melbourne facility. Tim rearranged his schedule at the last minute to make time to visit and meet me in person. He was enthusiastic and it was very obvious that he lives and breathes Competitive Manufacturing. I felt Tim represented your company to the highest possible level today and he has given me reassurance that the JMI team in Melbourne will have a very successful year.

Jackie Everett – JMI Aerospace

“Through the Competitive Manufacturing training, The Improve Group has helped us to identify and implement strategies which have enabled our team to become focused on continual improvement, productivity, quality & efficiency. These advantages go far beyond simple production, with positive outcomes in terms of staff interaction and morale apparent.”

Trevor Zerner – Managing Director, Ag Solutions

“Stimulates thoughts, discussion and acceptance.... Saves money, no matter how small the amount, but in turn has reaped huge savings”.

Mark Sawtell, Site Manager, Hyne Tuan Timber

“The shop floor operations team is so enthusiastic about the benefit they can see from the Competitive Manufacturing coaching received. The training has given them a clear line of sight. They’ve seen first hand how it reduces their time and effort and ultimately makes their job easier. The crews are more confident and have been spreading the CM word to other teams within the company.”

Albert Baker, Technical Training Officer, Australian Tube Mills

“It is a fantastic program (Competitive Manufacturing) - creating the 'total corporate engagement' and planning that we discussed. I really like the way the program is designed - involving all levels and giving them ownership of the implementation projects. This of course, makes the implementation of lean more successful and sustainable”.

Program Coordinator, NZ Trade and Enterprise

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“Since attending the Improve Group “Introduction to Lean in the Financial Sector” workshop we have reduced our mortgage processing time from 2 days to less than 2 hours. We achieved this by implementing “One-Piece Workflow” and 5S. We also lowered the height of our cubicle partitions, greatly improving communication between staff members. Previously our staff had to work back to complete the day’s work, we now have the capacity to take the overflow from our head office in Sydney.”

Team Leader, St George Bank, Brisbane, Qld

“Our sales in the commercial sector had gone through the roof, and we did not have the capacity to meet customer demand. The Improve Group held a two day Rapid Improvement Event and we now have 300% more capacity, and achieved it all in only 2 days. Staff numbers required for this production area were reduced from 13 to 8, and we now use the balance to ensure materials are available, and finished product is delivered to the customers. Very Happy!”

Manufacturing Manager, Bradnams Windows and Doors, Sydney, NSW

“We have been using a Melbourne based company to provide “Lean” consulting services and training. We have a great looking plant (5S) and have recently commenced a “Quick Changeover” program, but have yet to see any results hit the “Bottom Line”. Our “Lean” program was in danger of stalling. The Improve Group have re-aligned our efforts with real business results, and we can now confidently justify our continuation of Lean to senior management. Our production increased from 26,000 units a day to 33,000 within two weeks of commencing The Improve Group initiative”

Group Operations Manager, Packaging Company, multiple sites – Australia & NZ

“We had implemented a 5S program several years ago, and after attending The Improve Group 5S Training we quickly realized that we had only completed a “3S” program. We now have a framework for success, and can easily sustain our Lean improvement strategy into the future.”

Continuous Improvement Facilitator, Pernod Ricard

“Very robust training program, presented in a very structured manner, with great use of visual and systems along with good practical application. Good training material supplied that has allowed ongoing internal training to continue into other areas of the business.”

"Very professional approach to training with strong knowledge of subject matter. In addition they have supported the business through provided business contacts for benchmarking."

"Very good training group and would have no hesitation in using for other training requirements for lean concepts in the future."

Continuous Improvement Co-ordinator, Pernod Ricard

“The Competitive Manufacturing Program is providing the vehicle for developing the understanding from senior managers, and given its practical focus, ensures that improvement initiatives are actually undertaken, not just talked about in the classroom.”

Operations Director, Griffins Foods Ltd

Please find below some highlights of what I have observed to date with the introduction of CM tools with Frucor.

I'm amazed at the level of engagement of staff to the concept of 5S and the very quick change in the look of the workplace environment.

The way that the program has united staff to a single purpose, particularly the engineering support teams and factory floor production operators.

The pride that the staff take in contributing and making their immediate work areas a lot tidier and less cluttered.

The number of ideas that are now coming from the factory floor to improve the workplace - it’s as though somebody has flicked a switch!

The way the staff has openly talked about the concept of 5S and how they have applied some of the principles in their own environments.

Henk Rolling, Managing Director, Frucor

“I have found The Improve Group to be a useful, effective tool in our drive toward lean excellence in manufacturing at our Panmure site!”

Manufacturing Manager, NCI Packaging

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