Sparks Bakers & Confectioners

GB Cullet Limited

The management Team at Bradford based Sparks Confectioners Ltd, wanted an introduction to lean techniques and lean principals. A4B ran 6 knowledge workshops on Lean and then supported with several projects, while the Management team members undertook a Business Improvement Techniques NVQ.

The projects covered areas such as work flow, machine uptime, work-in-progress reduction and efficient handling. We mentored the team through the projects to help optimise results.

Following the NVQ and workshops the Company has achieved the following:

  • Management Team all have a good understanding of Lean
  • Significant five figure savings pa achieved while undertaking the initial 3 NVQ projects in an 8 week period.
  • 15 further projects identified and prioritised
  • Communication throughout the organisation improved
  • The team are now able to be solution providers
  • Company KPIs in place
  • Company wide awareness of waste

The training has enabled the management team to gain an initial understanding of the principals of continuous improvements.

In terms of savings to the Company the projects have shown the potential is there for the Company to become leaner and more efficient at what they do, whilst maintaining the quality and reputation with their customers

"Doing the NVQ has enabled us to develop systematic approach to lean, we realise we have a long way to go but we can see the culture of the company beginning to change" - Mark, Production Manager