Manufacturing Excellence in the Scottish Borders

Manufacturing experts representing businesses from across the Scottish Borders and Central Belt descended on Kelso-based Plexus last Wednesday as guests of the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service (SMAS) to see for themselves world-class manufacturing in action.

The 'manufacturing best practice' visit was organised by SMAS which was established four years ago by Scottish Enterprise to provide direct and practical support to help Scotland's SME manufacturers compete on a world-wide scale. A vital aspect of the support involves organising 'best-practice' visits, as well as offering expert advice, one-to-one support and training to help Scotland's manufacturers improve productivity and generate cost savings.

In the past four years, SMAS has made a value-added productivity impact of over £41 million to Scottish manufacturing businesses

Jerome Finlayson, SMAS lead practitioner for east and south of Scotland, explained: "Kelso-based Plexus was chosen for the visit as it is an award-winning, global manufacturing company that has successfully focused on maintaining excellence and has continued to win business in these tough economic times. These best practice visits are about showing companies world-class manufacturing in their area and helping them see the visual things they can take back to their workplace. It's about allowing people to learn from their peers.

"In the past four years, SMAS has made a value-added productivity impact of over £41 million to Scottish manufacturing businesses, helping them to become more efficient, better aligned to meet the needs of their customers and open new markets. With over 20 businesses attending the visit, it shows how Scotland's manufacturers want to improve. Through the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service, Scottish Enterprise is committed to providing the practical support and guidance that is required by these manufacturers to make this drive to improve a reality."

Willie Mackinnon, UK managing director for Plexus, stated: "Naturally we were delighted to be chosen as a 'best practice' venue which reflects on the quality of work we carry out. Plexus manufactures and designs a wide range of world-class products within the electronics manufacturing services industry providing electronic design, printed circuit board development and higher level assembly of finished products for a global market place."

Wayne Ballantyne, managing director for Border Precision based in Kelso, said: "I found the experience invaluable. The event clearly showed how to introduce some key processes and measures throughout a manufacturing organisation, including areas such as supply chain management as well as demonstrating the adoption of a fully integrated approach to lean manufacturing. We've been working with SMAS for two years and during that time they have implemented a number of improvement programmes which have benefited us both financially and helped open new markets."

For further information on SMAS or for businesses wishing to receive a free manufacturing review, visit the Scottish Manufacturing Advisory Service website or contact the SMAS team on 0845 607 8787.