To complement this it has enrolled a third of its staff on an NVQ level 2/3 lean manufacturing course where they will all learn advanced business improvement techniques geared towards reducing waste and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the business from engineering and manufacturing right through to assembly and despatch.

Managing Director Stuart Small commented; “Having a broad cross section of staff trained to a high level in ‘hands-on’ business improvement techniques will benefit the company immensely and will empower individuals to identify and materially effect change and make recognisable differences to the way the business is run. It also helps develop a generic lean culture and propagates an integral understanding about improvement sustainability.

“If you’re not prepared to invest in your people with the belief that they can make and sustain improvements to your core business then it’s a short road to failure and an even shorter road to China. We must fight intelligently in the struggle to adapt to modern market demands and positive change is imperative for businesses who want to survive and thrive against the ever increasing onslaught from international manufacturing competition.”