Atlanta, United States (IBwire.com - May 25, 2010)

Demonstrating the expertise of modern manufacturing in Northwest England, two Northwest companies, BAE Systems and Ultraframe UK Ltd, were awarded the Shingo Prize Bronze Medallion for operational excellence. The awards were presented at the annual Shingo Conference in Salt Lake City

The Shingo Prize - dubbed the “Nobel Prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week - is an internationally respected award that recognizes operational excellence and improvement through effective management.

BAE Systems Samlesbury in Lancashire, is an aerospace manufacturer with a strong tradition of design, engineering and manufacturing excellence in the aerospace industry, employing 4,600 people and instituting lean practices. The site is home to some of the most advanced aerospace manufacturing and assembly technologies in the world, including the Eurofighter Typhoon, the most advanced swing-role aircraft in the world, and the F35-Lightning II, the largest contract of its kind in the world. Lean techniques have lead to a 76 percent reduction in the cost of scrap, and a 43 percent reduction in accidents.

Ultraframe, also based in the county of Lancashire, are a conservatory manufacturer employing 270 people. The company is at the forefront of technology and design in the development of domestic conservatory and conservatory roofing systems in the UK. Through implementing lean principles, it has increased productivity by 36 percent, decreased accidents by 93 percent and improved profitability by 75 percent, despite the economic downturn.

Presenting the awards, Robert Miller, Executive Director, Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, USA, said: “These two businesses are shining examples of excellence that truly understand the principles of lean transformation and are applying it to all their business processes. The empowerment of their people and the culture of continuous improvement they both demonstrate is particularly impressive.”

Located in Northwest England, both companies elicit strong local support to help them achieve outstanding operational results. For example, the Manufacturing Institute’s Manufacturing Advisory Service NW provides free and low cost consulting for manufacturers in the region. The Institute also works with school children, through a program of highly-regarded, region-wide school competitions, to inspire and engage with the manufacturing workers of the future.

“Birthplace of the industrial revolution, England’s Northwest area has become technologically advanced, robust and well supported by local universities and the Manufacturing Institute,” says Kristen Hirst, Senior Vice President at the North of England Inward InvestmentAgency.

The North West is still the UK’s largest manufacturer, and the region accounts for 348,000 jobs in manufacturing, some 3.7% of the UK’s total. The region, as second-highest international exporter in the UK, is one of the best performing in terms of output, new business and employment growth despite the recent economic downturn.

About North of England Inward Investment Agency
The NOEIIA is a British Government funded consultancy and UK-based inward investment agency whose role is to advise and assist North American companies considering UK/EU expansion. Services provided are free and confidential, and include the provision of information across a broad spectrum of market entry and business support topics such as: market feasibility, operational cost analysis, site location and work force issues – to help businesses expand by tapping into the opportunities, people and affordability of North England. www.NorthEngland.com.

For an interview with the North of England Inward Investment Agency please contact:
Terri Jacobsen
New Thought Marketing, Inc. 
Phone: 404-285-9763
Terri(at)NewThoughtMarketing(dot)com

About the Manufacturing Institute 
The Manufacturing Institute (www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk) is an independent charity - driven by manufacturers for manufacturers. For 15 years The Manufacturing Institute has helped transform manufacturing performance, working with over 4000 companies to gain competitive advantage from high impact skills building and productivity improvement programs. http://www.manufacturinginstitute.co.uk/.

To schedule an interview with representatives from the Manufacturing Institute regarding BAE Systems and Ultraframe UK Ltd, please contact:
Teresa Paredes 
Manufacturing Advisory Service North West
Phone: 0161 875 2508 
TeresaP(at)manufacturinginstitute(dot)co(dot)uk

###