Boosting productivity and reducing waste key for engineering and manufacturing firms

Business leaders will look at how to bring the best out of their workforce, boost productivity and reduce waste as part of two special workshops.

Advanced engineering and manufacturing firms in Lancashire have the chance to take part in two masterclasses as part of Lancaster University Management School’s EnginE programme, funded by the European Social Fund.

EnginE is designed to open doors for small and medium-sized businesses to access effective workforce development opportunities and future-proof their business. The upcoming sessions will demonstrate how new technologies can boost efficiency, grow market share, and meet the demands of modern customers.

The first event, Unlocking your Workforce Potential, is a masterclass designed to introduce the businesses to workforce planning as a means to support sustainable success, with a focus on the importance of leadership in planning for the future.

Annette Suddes, EnginE project manager at Lancaster University Management School, said: “The masterclass is aimed at both current leaders looking to develop their approach, or aspiring future leaders who want to know more about workforce planning and how it impacts business performance.

“Delegates will have the opportunity to explore and reflect on how they lead their organisation to achieve sustainable business success and will be able to set priorities moving forward to improve their workforce planning.”

The second masterclass, Improving Productivity through Process Improvement, will look at whether businesses are being productive in their use of resources and where they can make process improvements and become more efficient.

Dr Steve Eldridge, senior teaching fellow in the Department of Management Science in Lancaster University Management School, will deliver the masterclass. Dr Eldridge has a research focus on developing process improvement techniques and knowledge management in business, as well as looking at integrated, collaborative supply chains.

Annette added: “Steve is able to place process thinking in the wider context of Operations Management, before considering the role of processes as a source of competitive advantage.

“The continuous improvement of processes is illustrated using a range of techniques, and delegates will be challenged to consider their own processes, whether they are competitive, if they are appropriately designed and how they should look to improve.”

EnginE is a funded programme, delivered in partnership with Blackburn College, Blackpool & Fylde College and the Northern Automotive Alliance, and in collaboration with BOOST – Lancashire’s Business Growth Hub, which means the support and advice businesses receive is free, and the programmes, masterclasses and resources available are funded through EnginE for eligible Lancashire SMEs.

Unlocking Your Workforce Potential takes place at Lancaster University on Tuesday, September 10, between 9am and 4.30pm. Details of the event can be found here.

The Improving Productivity through Process Improvement masterclass will be held on Thursday, October 3, at BCW Manufacturing Group Ltd, Burnley, between the same times. Further information is available here.

To find out more, email EnginE@lancaster.ac.uk or call Lancaster University Management School on 01524 510194.