TAFE NSW – Western Sydney Institute is helping organisations apply ‘lean thinking’ to their business operations, saving time and money and reducing their carbon footprint all at once.
John Yealland, who teaches Competitive Manufacturing (an umbrella term for a range of workplace improvement activities) at the Institute’s Mount Druitt College, said waste in business reduces profits and stifles competitiveness.
‘Basically if we can remove ‘waste’ – whether that is product waste, poor business practices or poor use of resources – then we can improve business productivity and help businesses be more competitive at a local, national and even international level,’ Mr Yealland said.
One company that already has a new streamlined look thanks to the Western Sydney Institute training in this area is Weston Milling, based in Enfield, NSW.
John Tague, NSW Milling Operations Manager, Weston Milling, says TAFE NSW training in lean manufacturing has helped his business improve its competitiveness and its bottom line.
‘[The concept of] ‘lean thinking’ draws out the knowledge that already exists in the minds of employees,’ Mr Tague said. ‘We have seen improved workflow in a number of areas. On one project alone the operators in one department were able to add $80,000 to the bottom line.’
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Western Sydney Institute provides a customised training program for businesses which identifies problems and then finds solutions for them. Mr Yealland said it’s surprising how complex and damaging inaction can be.
‘Many businesses are simply not operating to their full potential,’ he said. ‘They’re struggling with ideas and haven’t quite got the culture right to succeed to their full potential. This program enables companies to critically review their business, identify opportunities that are not utilised, weigh them up and negotiate with staff for the benefit of the whole company.
‘The training enables businesses to respond to consumer needs and plan for the future without the shackles of entrenched problems holding them back.’
Thanks to the TAFE NSW training, employees at Weston Milling have a far greater appreciation of the business than previously. As a result, they have become more motivated.
‘At our plant in Enfield it has been very inspiring to see some of our employees come out of their shell and be a real contributor to the company and ultimately to the community,’ Mr Tague said.
