Arrowsmith scoops award

Coventry-based Reg Machin, Goodrich's supply chain manager presented Arrowsmith with the certificate in recognition of achievements under the Goodrich Supplier Development Programme.

Arrowsmith has achieved this recognition for reaching high levels of sustainable Lean manufacturing processes which were achieved after Goodrich supplied two specialist Lean trainers to facilitate and train the Arrowsmith employees over a three year period.

Arrowsmith introduced 5S and TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) to every CNC, manual and measurement machine in the company. Five team leaders were trained and 10 employees received classroom training in Lean techniques as the company progressed through the four stages of the program: Goodrich leading – supplier participating; Goodrich facilitating – supplier leading; Goodrich Consulting – supplier leading; Supplier leading – Goodrich consulting.

The workforce is now leading on all new Lean projects and has maintained all the improvements introduced over the last three years. The program has dovetailed seamlessly with the SC21 program that Arrowsmith signed up to in 2008 and last month Arrowsmith hosted a MAS SC21 event at its Coventry headquarters – opening its doors to 25 industry visitors. Three companies signed up for the SC21 program after the visit.

Goodrich has now sponsored Arrowsmith on its continuing SC21 journey and has assisted in setting up a SC21 Business Group consisting of five of Arrowsmith's most prominent customers: Rolls-Royce PPES, Pattonair Derby, Meggitt (MABs), PFW Nuneaton and Goodrich PPES.

“To have the input, support and advice from such prominent and impressive aerospace companies is a huge boost for Arrowsmith,” enthused managing director Jason Aldridge. “We work closely with our customers on an ongoing basis to identify areas of improvement so that we remain in a prominent position on their respective approved supplier lists. We believe the success of the aerospace supply chain is dependent on a close working relationship between all parties concerned.”

Arrowsmith Engineering
www.arrowsmitheng.co.uk