Door Industry Journal - Winter 2020

Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk industry news New Management Makes for a Progressive Change in Direction in Ellard’s Production. Ellard continues to position itself as a market leader, to do so various changes have been implemented throughout the business. In February 2020 Craig Boyce was appointed Production Manager with a plan to transform the department. Craig joined Ellard in January 2015 as a member of the sales team before deciding to retrain as an electrical engineer in late 2017 and progressing to take a position in the production department. In February 2020 senior management appointed Craig as Production Manager. The first change to be implemented was a full physical restructure of the facilities. The production line was upgraded with a full rewire and rebuilt into a modular structure. This allows the equipment to be deconstructed for deep clean or repair and maintenance in less than one hour. The line was then repositioned adjacent to consumables and product storage allowing fast and efficient access for trucks and personnel working the production line. A full review of all storage, consumables and stock was carried out were the unnecessary items were removed and relevant items reorganised for efficient access and stock maintenance. Next the procedures for organising work flow were enhanced using a simplistic work management system developed alongside the sales team to ensure both production and sales are up to date on the current workload and deadlines. In September the future workforce project merged the returns team into the production team increasing available resources for both departments. In October Craig presented a waste reduction plan to Indutrade senior vice president Peter Rowlands and various managing directors of the Indutrade group. The plan to reduce waste involves the recycling of spare parts. Sustainability is an important value of both Ellard and the Indutrade group, as such the presentation was received with great acclaim and the project was encouraged to progress. Craig was presented with the Indutrade future leaders award for outstanding project. www.ellard.co.uk