UK Leading Turkey provider Bernard Matthew’s Farms have recently embarked on an extensive manufacturing improvement programme led by EMS. Reliability Centred Manufacturing is focused on reliability which is the backbone of consistent, quality product, delivered to the customer on time and at the lowest possible manufacturing cost.

The programme involves auditing of strengths and opportunities; senior management strategy workshops, design and implementation of organisation structural and behavioural change and a variety of improvement workshops using both Reliability and Lean tools and techniques.

EMS caught up with Bernard Matthew's Farms Site Maintenance Manager to discuss the programme.

Why did you decide to embark on a Reliability Centred Manufacturing journey?

“If you continue to do what you are doing today tomorrow, you are actually going backwards, because other people are overtaking you. You need to change the way you’re doing things. There were lots of cost savings that could be achieved.”

:

What were you hoping to achieve with the programme?

"Initially it was all to do with maintenance. We wanted to streamline our maintenance work and maintenance planning systems. Talking to EMS made us realised that we could gain more from the RCM process than just streamlined maintenance. We then decided to go ahead and integrate everybody involved in production into a manufacturing team instead of just including the maintenance level."

:

In your opinion, how did the programme go?

"The programme went very well. There are people who are very keen, they can see the difference, they want to be a part of the change. And there are always some people who resist the change, there is a divide in age really., I think the older people didn’t really want the change and the youngsters are really up for it – it was really interesting to sit back and watch.
This programme was a massive step change for us. What we are doing today compares nothing at all to what we will be doing in 18 months time. We are changing everything from the way we manufacture things to the way our servicing department operates."

:

How do you feel about the outputs of the programme today as well as going forward?

“The outputs are very positive. This involves everybody within the programme and we are finding hidden treasures within the production staff as well the maintenance staff. People are coming forward and setting the new dimensions to their work.”

:

Why EMS?

"We chose EMS after a recommendation. I think if you do a good job somewhere, the word gets around."

Read Case Study on Reliability Centred Manufacturing Programme at Bernard Matthew's Farms

For more information about Reliability Centred Manufacturing, please contact EMS office>