Menu
14/03/2003
Improvement focus rolls in dividends
An Enniskillen-based manufacturer of snack foods for European retailers, Rye Valley Foods, has made substantial savings with help from an Invest NI-backed business improvement programme.
With Invest NI advice and assistance Rye Valley used a US-developed technique known as 'Six Sigma' to measure production processes and pinpoint areas for improvement. This involved setting up employee teams to analyse the problems and to recommend remedial action. As well as streamlining the production of existing products, mastery of the technique enabled the company to introduce a new range of soft baguette rolls more cost-efficiently. The savings are already in excess of £50,000 since the improvements were implemented.
Commenting on Rye Valley’s 'Six Sigma' successes, Invest NI Business Improvement Services Executive, Peter McCarron, said: “'Six Sigma' is a structured and proven improvement technique that helps companies to develop and deliver near-perfect products and services that will result in more business from existing and potential customers.
“Our 'Six Sigma' scheme seeks to achieve this by helping companies measure the efficiency of a particular production process and then to decide how they can improve the whole process. Companies which have used this technique have found significant benefits in terms of increased productivity from ensuring that existing processes operate at peak efficiency.
Declan McKee, Rye Valley’s General Manager at Enniskillen, said 'Six Sigma' had provided a structured approach "that enabled the company to focus on the performance of key aspects of the manufacturing operation".
“We found Six Sigma to be an excellent technique for collecting information for more effective management of production processes and this enabled us to make better informed decisions using monitoring data from machinery," he said.
“Another aspect of competitiveness is the ability to innovate by the introduction of new products quickly and cost-effectively. Savings resulting from the Six Sigma process are providing a platform for us to develop our product range and our ability to compete for business,” he added.
(SP)
With Invest NI advice and assistance Rye Valley used a US-developed technique known as 'Six Sigma' to measure production processes and pinpoint areas for improvement. This involved setting up employee teams to analyse the problems and to recommend remedial action. As well as streamlining the production of existing products, mastery of the technique enabled the company to introduce a new range of soft baguette rolls more cost-efficiently. The savings are already in excess of £50,000 since the improvements were implemented.
Commenting on Rye Valley’s 'Six Sigma' successes, Invest NI Business Improvement Services Executive, Peter McCarron, said: “'Six Sigma' is a structured and proven improvement technique that helps companies to develop and deliver near-perfect products and services that will result in more business from existing and potential customers.
“Our 'Six Sigma' scheme seeks to achieve this by helping companies measure the efficiency of a particular production process and then to decide how they can improve the whole process. Companies which have used this technique have found significant benefits in terms of increased productivity from ensuring that existing processes operate at peak efficiency.
Declan McKee, Rye Valley’s General Manager at Enniskillen, said 'Six Sigma' had provided a structured approach "that enabled the company to focus on the performance of key aspects of the manufacturing operation".
“We found Six Sigma to be an excellent technique for collecting information for more effective management of production processes and this enabled us to make better informed decisions using monitoring data from machinery," he said.
“Another aspect of competitiveness is the ability to innovate by the introduction of new products quickly and cost-effectively. Savings resulting from the Six Sigma process are providing a platform for us to develop our product range and our ability to compete for business,” he added.
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 March 2003
Ryobi recasts operational efficiency at Carrickfergus
Japanese-owned Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) of Carrickfergus has increased its competitive position and saved over £100,000 from applying business improvement techniques. Ryobi was helped by Invest NI’s Business Improvement Services to increase efficiency in a product manufacturing process by using a US-developed technique known as Six Sigma.
Ryobi recasts operational efficiency at Carrickfergus
Japanese-owned Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) of Carrickfergus has increased its competitive position and saved over £100,000 from applying business improvement techniques. Ryobi was helped by Invest NI’s Business Improvement Services to increase efficiency in a product manufacturing process by using a US-developed technique known as Six Sigma.
24 March 2003
Co Tyrone based firm boost productivity
Copeland Corporation in Co Tyrone expects to save over £220,000 this year from an Invest NI-backed business improvement programme.
Co Tyrone based firm boost productivity
Copeland Corporation in Co Tyrone expects to save over £220,000 this year from an Invest NI-backed business improvement programme.
26 June 2012
Business Improvement Districts Can Boost Local Economy - McCausland
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has said the proposed Business Improvement Districts give a flexibility which can provide a local economic boost. The Minister was speaking in the Assembly where he introduced legislation to allow for the creation of statutory Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Northern Ireland.
Business Improvement Districts Can Boost Local Economy - McCausland
Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland has said the proposed Business Improvement Districts give a flexibility which can provide a local economic boost. The Minister was speaking in the Assembly where he introduced legislation to allow for the creation of statutory Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) in Northern Ireland.
01 March 2006
Improvement scheme realises £2.4m savings at Schrader
Invest NI's Business Improvement Agent Programme has been hailed as a "key part" in driving continuous improvement at Schrader Electronics leading to £2.4m savings over the past three years.
Improvement scheme realises £2.4m savings at Schrader
Invest NI's Business Improvement Agent Programme has been hailed as a "key part" in driving continuous improvement at Schrader Electronics leading to £2.4m savings over the past three years.
24 April 2018
Belfast City Council Announce Social Media Workshop
Belfast City Council have announced a workshop on using planning, targets and processes to make the most of social media. The workshop will look at the varying types of social media platforms, their audiences, their trends and how best to choose the right social media marketing channel to suit your business needs.
Belfast City Council Announce Social Media Workshop
Belfast City Council have announced a workshop on using planning, targets and processes to make the most of social media. The workshop will look at the varying types of social media platforms, their audiences, their trends and how best to choose the right social media marketing channel to suit your business needs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
