The wind of change
JDR Umbilical Systems design and manufacture sub-sea cables for offshore oil, gas and wind energy platforms. These cables form an essential element of offshore renewable energy projects and sub-sea production systems and demand for these high-tech cables continues to increase. To support a necessary increase in capacity, a unique partnership project involving JDR, MAS-East and Renewables East commenced. MAS-East and Renewables East, a support organisation supporting the offshore, renewable energy market in the UK, were able to provide joint funding meaning no charge to JDR Umbilicals systems for this initial pilot project.
JDR Umblical Sysems
Key Achievements
- 25% productivity improvement
- 40% reduction in scrap and defects
- 25% increase in value add per person
- Improved on time
The main focus of this pilotproject was to create capacity through improving process flow and workplace organisation. It was apparent that focusing on these elements would help teams process orders more quickly and by improving the way cables are designed and specified, production efficiencies could also be gained. The scope of the pilot project was agreed and work commenced with the entire organisational workforce, including senior managers, being trained in the principles of lean including some key tools such as 5S. The key processes of product design and specification were mapped and opportunities for improvement were identified.
The pilot area proved to be a real success, so much so that the principles of 5S have been extended to support activity focusing on managing and improving flow through the factory. By managing identified constraints, JDR has achieved real success and further work is now in progress to deliver more benefits.
Colin Taylor,
Manufacturing Director
