'Pick me' urges PICME

Despite good progress over the last three years, the UK's chemicals and process industry still needs to increase its use of the lean manufacturing approach to make its manufacturing globally competitive and to meet increasing supply chain and external competitive pressures, according to the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence (PICME).

Mark Lewis, PICME chief executive, says that since he addressed last year's Chemical Industries Association Business Outlook conference, some measurable improvement has been made by a number of leading companies, although inefficient and ineffective production methods are still costing most chemical and process companies 20-30% of their costs. 'The key is not cash or capital, it's people - helping them to work more effectively and using best practice in measurement and improvement,' he said.

PICME's role is to use a full range of manufacturing improvement techniques to improve the sector's performance through actions at company level and in the supply chain. 'Great strides have been made by the chemical and process industries in areas such as responsible care, product stewardship and health and safety,' added Lewis, 'but the time is now right for the sector to square up to the role of productivity in achieving a sustainable industry.'

Since full establishment by the DTI PICME has helped its process client eliminate significant redundant costs. To date PICME has helped these companies secure first year savings of at least £22m, with benefits predominantly occurring in the areas of: increased output (10-100%); reduced waste (10-80%); reduced changeover/clean-down times (40-80%); reduced lead times and stock (50-75%).