Key to Scotland's competitive position in the global economy
Key to Scotland's competitive position in the global economy
Keywords: Aerospace industry, Scotland, Conferences
Scottish Aerospace and Defence businesses must systematically and continuously deliver productivity improvements at a faster rate than their competitors if they are to remain competitive in the global economy says Dr John Ferrie CBE, president, Aerospace, Smiths Group plc, and chairman of the Process Excellence element of the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team (AeIGT),recently, at the first AeIGT Processing Excellence event in the UK.
The conference, in Glasgow, organised by Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire brought together 50 delegates from across Scotland. Speakers looked at how the widespread adoption of Process Excellence across the UK Aerospace Industry can create customer and stakeholder value through innovation and the application of best practice. Examples of Process Excellence was also reviewed and companies saw how the benefits can be introduced across the industry.It also covered best practice programmes including, the Supply Chain and how by embracing lean practices and encouraging their adoption by suppliers, companies can build more collaborative processes which will ultimately create more value for everyone. As well as, people and skills and best practice dissemination.
John Ferrie says: “Companies must embrace the concept of Process Excellence, to be part of the vision of the UK being the world's most innovative and productive locations. This will lead to the creation and growth of wealth for all stakeholders.”
Simon Foster, chairman, Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire said: “Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is delighted to host the first Process Excellence Event in the UK. Scottish Aerospace and Defence companies are among the best in Britain,but cannot afford to rest on their laurels. The global marketplace is becoming more and more competitive and only through continual change, innovation and the best practice processes can we hope to maintain that enviable position.”
One of the speakers Alan Haigh, Supply Chain director, Thales Land and Joint said: “This is the kind of event we need in Scotland to focus our attention on best practice and the development of new ideas. The Aerospace Team in Scottish Enterprise have worked hard to put this event together, and with their help, Scottish companies will be able to make the changes necessary to continue to thrive in a Global market.”
AeIGT
In May 2002, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt launched the Aerospace Innovation and Growth Team under the chairmanship of Sir Richard Evans. The Aerospace IGT is one of a series of Innovation and Growth Teams which was set up by the Department of Trade and Industry following the March 2001 White Paper on “Enterprise, Skills and Innovation: opportunity for all in a world of change”.
The AeIGT's brief was to draw on the expertise of all major stakeholders in the industry and look 20 years ahead to consider ways in which UK Aerospace can continue to increase in strength with the vision that by 2022: “The UK will offer a global Aerospace Industry the world's most innovative and productive location, leading to sustainable growth for its stakeholders”. A key aspect of this brief involved the widespread adoption of Process Excellence.
The AeIGT's Process Excellence Working Group has been leading this activity,however, in order to ensure a fully integrated approach this working group has now amalgamated with the SBAC's Enterprise Excellence Board.
Process Excellence
Process Excellence is the continuous pursuit of perfection in all business processes. It eliminates business process failure and removes non-value adding activities. Process Excellence is focussed on creating customer and stakeholder value through innovation and application of best practice.
Scottish Enterprise Ayrshire is the lead agency in the SE network for the delivery of the Scottish Aerospace Strategy. Launched in March 2003, the Aerospace strategy aims to develop the competitiveness of the Scottish aerospace and defence industries. A key factor of the success of the strategy is to increase productivity rates for the industry through process improvements, e.g. Lean Aerospace initiatives.
