A WELL-KNOWN brand is brewing up an efficient workforce, after teaming up with a specialist Aycliffe training provider.
Eaglescliffe manufacturer Tata Global Beverages, the company behind Tetley Tea, is working with Newton Aycliffe based S.W. Durham Training (SWDT) to ensure that its 400-strong team is equipped with the skills needed to improve efficiency and drive down production costs.
The tea factory, in Eaglescliffe since 1969, partnered with SWDT, a specialist manufacturing and engineering provider, in 2008, to deliver a number of bespoke training courses, but has now embarked on a multi-skilling programme that will ensure its team are able to respond quickly and effectively to production issues.
The company’s Lean Skills for Life programme, a course developed with SWDT encompassing basic lean manufacturing principles with literacy and numeracy skills, has been rolled out to a large number of employees as part of the company’s commitment to developing its people.
Tony Stubbs, plant manager at Tata said the company had seen significant benefits since beginning its training effort, with a reduction to the business’ cost base of £2 million over the last four years and an increase in site productivity from 71 to 86%
He said: “The impact of training and development on our site’s performance has been quite phenomenal. The efficiency levels we have been able to achieve through lean manufacturing techniques puts us some way ahead of other Tata sites including those in the Czech Republic, Poland and India, and in turn makes a very strong case for Eaglescliffe.
“Further investment in multi-skilling is something that we believe will further improve efficiency at our site, ensuring that we have staff on hand at all times to deal with any issues that could delay production. We’re once again working with SWDT to deliver this, and have developed a course in partnership with their team that will meet our exact training requirements. We’re sure that it will prove to be a big success.”
Six mechanical engineers are currently undertaking multi-skilling training to equip them with basic electrical skills. The company intends to roll this out among all mechanical engineers if it proves to be a success. It is hoped that the training will reduce the impact of electrical issues, ensuring that staff are always on hand to deal with problems that would cause production delays during periods in which electrical engineers are not on site.
The multi-skilling programme will be added to the raft of training and develop initiatives that Tata believes have contributed to cost reductions, increased productivity and a reduction in absenteeism from over 6% to 4% in three years.
Charl Erasmus, chief executive of SWDT, said: “Our relationship with Tata Global Beverages has developed, over the years, into a longstanding partnership that has delivered real benefits to their business.
“The multi-skilling pro-gramme we are now embarking on is just part of a much bigger picture. Tata’s ongoing commitment to the development of its people is really setting it apart and helping Eaglescliffe to fly the flag for manufacturing in the UK. We’re delighted to be playing a part in making that happen.”
For further information about courses at S.W. Durham Training Ltd, visit www.southwestdurham.co.uk or call 01325 313 194.
