Case Studies

The Pfizer Case Study

When one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies decided to implement a new global database across 26 different countries, it began by aligning and harmonising its processes more..

Redefining The Supplier Base

An automotive component supplier, part of a major Plc., manufactures switch controls for all the major motor manufacturers. more..

From Analysis Into Action

For many companies embarking upon any major change program is a daunting task, not only because of the internal turmoil such programs involve but also because it is not always clear where to start or what principles to apply during the change. Clear and concise analysis at the outset can greatly reduce the risk and smooth the introduction of major programs. more..

Changes In The New Millenium

Over the last fifteen years manufacturers have suffered recession and market saturation, causing them to accurately assess their product ranges, markets and structures and review all operations within the supply chain. As they recognise that higher contributions can be realised from a smaller portfolio of products, the key to survival is being seen as achieving high market share in a limited number of products. more..

Brand Battles Hit The Floor & Drinks Manufacturers

With the continuing struggle for dominance of the supermarket shelf, the competition between 'Own Label' and 'Brand' products continues unabated. The comparative costs and margins between the two are an issue of concern to those involved in the manufacturing of the products, often side by side in the same factory. Has the time come for manufacturers to accept the demise of the Brand? more..

Kaizen Blitz - Unleashing The Storm Of Empowerment

A growing number of companies are discovering that highly focused "kaizen events" can be a great way to unleash employee creativity and upgrade manufacturing operations - in a hurry. more..

Lean Manufacturing - Out Of The Red & Into The Black

An original manufacturer of the classic black steel lintel and an operating company within an overall strategic Group went through a major transformation in order to turn the tide on a declining market share. Once a highly profitable company, it saw its market share decline rapidly during the mid 1990s with the recession and the market entry of new competitors. Sales revenues fell by 30% impacting heavily on profitability. Additionally, the company was hit by a retrospective rebate structure that increased costs at a time when margins were falling. Action was essential to resize the company and return it to profitability. more..

From Benchmarking To Business Process Improvement

smartbrother.org has recently helped a leading Radiators manufacturer, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of heating appliances, to save over £2 million per annum on their delivery unit costs at just one plant! This was achieved in only nine months and further cost reductions for the other three sites are currently being implemented. This lower cost base has also reinforced their position as market leader. more..

Bio-Medical Case Study - Cellular Manufacturing

Putting in place cellular manufacturing doesn’t always deliver the returns that the textbooks promise, as a Leading Electronic Manufacturer discovered. They called in smartbrother.org to find out why this production panacea wasn’t living up to expectations. more..

A Breath Of Fresh Air For Finance

A recent benchmarking study showed that while half the members of a typical finance team are highly paid professionals. more..

GKN Division Launches Business Revolution

GKN Bound Brook, the Lichfield powder metallurgy business within the Axles division of GKN, transformed its ability to meet the demanding requirements of its automotive customers and multinational OEMs as part of a programme launched by the Divisional Managing Director. After an initial review of the business by smartbrother.org, a major re-engineering team focused on the manufacturing and supporting processes. more..

Becoming A World Class Planner

Our Consultants were engaged by a major Graphics supplier to review a number of site alternatives to the planned growth. more..

Kaizen Blitz Case Study With Leading Automotive Component Supplier

You want to transform your workplace and achieve some step changes in operational performance, but you’ve only got seven days to spare. Mission impossible? more..

Supply Chain In The New Millennium

Over the last fifteen years manufacturers have suffered recession and market saturation, causing them to accurately assess their product ranges, markets and structures and review all operations within the supply chain. more..

Unipart - A Process For Change

One of the biggest, and continuing, industrial success stories of British business in recent years can be found at the Unipart Group of Companies. more..

World Class Manufacturing At American Products

The American Products Pool Division, is located in Moorpark California about one hour drive north of Los Angles. more..

Rayban - Cutting Component Costs & Increasing Profitability

To get its range of premium brand sunglasses out on the shelf at the right time, a global eyewear manufacturer depends on its suppliers delivering key components just when they're needed. more..

The Two Sides Of E-Commerce

"Internet statistics abound in almost any business article these days, but there's one which for me is particularly powerful:. more..

Introduction To Lean Manufacturing

In the early seventies the Japanese made us aware of the need for Total Quality. Quality circles sprang up, but they didn't really work in the west until we related them to cross-functional Employee Involvement. more..

Business Process Re-Engineering In A Major Food & Drink Company

With a turnover of 5 million and a leading position in the manufacture and distribution of prepared foods, this leading company had already gone some way down the road of BPR. more..

Kaizen Blitz In A Major Window Manufacturer

Normally Kaizen is used as a method for moving an organisation towards a philosophy of continuous improvement. more..
 

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