RANK XEROX

The house magazine of Rank Xerox Mitcheldcan A highly rewarding project

THE EFFORTS of the Unified Job Evaluation team, which won a Corporate Team Excellence Award last December, have proved rewarding in more ways than one. The team members — trade union senior representatives Colin Butler, Allan Edwards, Billy Malsom and Rob Miles, and members of management Mike Cooper and Charlie Walker — agreed that their accumulated prizes, which amounted to nearly £6,000, should be divided equally between six charities chosen by them. Representatives of the charities were invited to Mitcheldean on Tuesday, 10 April, to meet the people who had made this possible and to receive their bumper cheques. Welcoming them, site director Representatives of the charities pose with their bumper cheques — and the members of the award-winning team. David Stokes spoke of the great emphasis that had been placed by donated to charity, he explained, campaign will be channelling Corkery of the Birmingham the company over the last decade thus providing further motivation. money to local charities, just like Children's Hospital said that their on improving both product and The team members were BBC's Children in Need (whose donation would be used mainly business quality. delighted to be able to pass on representative was unable to come for research into deformities of He explained how the team £953 to boost the funds of each of along to the presentation). new-bom babies and urology had been involved in developing six good causes. The vice chairman of the disease. and introducing a new job These were HTV West National Meningitis Trust, Ginny The cheque to Scoo-B-Doo is evaluation structure. "Through Telethon '90, BBC's Children in Clarke, told how the charity had being used to buy outright a new their hard work we at Rank Xerox Need, the National Meningitis been started up in Stroud by her infusion pump for administering Mitcheldean became one of the Trust and the Birmingham own daughter when her grandson small amounts of fluid to babies. first organisations in the UK to - Children's Hospital Surgical contracted the disease in 1985. "It will bear a plaque create a single bargaining unit." Research Fund, plus two closer to "We are committed to raising acknowledging that it was bought This achievement had resulted home — Gloucester Hospital's over £1 million for research; we with this donation," said Gary in the team becoming first Scoo-B-Doo and our own RX are expanding our welfare Barrett, a senior nurse at European and later Corporate Employees Charity Fund. department, funding vaccine Gloucester Hospital special care winners along with six other HTV West Telethon is programmes and have plans to baby unit. D&M/MO teams. participating in the nationwide expand to the Third World," she The RX Employees Charity The cash prizes which come ITV Telethon and their presenter, said. Fund was represented by Keith with such awards are traditionally Patricia Yorston, said that the Consultant surgeon John Horrobin, who told our guests how the fund had initially come into being, how it had supported Mitcheldean Plant — the Craig Johnson Appeal and ' award winners was continuing to serve local charities. From the left — "If* Our visitors all expressed their • Best Factories Award warm appreciation of the • Environmental Commendation donations and thanked the team for their efforts. • British Quality Award They were afterwards entertained to a lunch, hosted by personnel manager Robin Fyffe. Changes at top level

PAUL ALLAIRE has been Paul Allaire has held a as chairman of Xerox and 23 years in manufacturing and elected chief executive officer variety of positions in chairman of the executive engineering management with of Xerox Corporation with financial planning and general committee. AT&T; most recently he was effect from 1 August. management. In 1975 he was In another change at top manufacturing vice president David Kearns, the named chief staff officer and level, Eric Steenburgh has for AT&T Network Systems. company's chairman and chief executive director for Rank been appointed president of executive officer, making the Xerox in London. He became the Information Products announcement, said: "Paul managing director of Rank Division as from 19 March. David Thompson has been has been with Xerox since Xerox in 1980 and returned to He is succeeded as senior appointed chairman of Rank 1966 and has come up through the USA in 1983 as senior vice vice president and general Xerox (UK). Succeeding Sir the ranks. He has been president and chief staff manager of Manufacturing Derek Hornby, who has now intimately involved with me in officer. He has been president Operations by Allan Dugan, retired, he will continue in his restructuring the corporation of Xerox and head of the who will have responsibility role as an executive director of during the '80s and setting Business Products & Systems for all manufacturing Rank Xerox and director of our strategic direction for the organisation since 1986. operations worldwide. Region 'B'. He joined Rank '90s." David Kearns will continue He has Joined Xerox after Xerox from IBM in 1965. Getting to Icnow us A MONTH after taking up his Then it was on to the training new appointment as the new vice centre where he saw different president for manufacturing aspects of its activities in operations world-wide, Al Dugan progress, and enjoyed a chat with visited Mitcheldean as part of a operators newly recruited for the •getting to know you" tour of developer housing operation now European manufacturing plants. installed in building 13. It was not planned, but a In the Open Learning Centre happy chance, that he came on the he saw people doing SMIP very day — 17 April — that saw computer-based studies and a the start-up of operations in the manual advanced skills test building 1 focussed factory with (MAST) being carried out. the 5012/14 showcase facility. A visit to the CAD/CAM This was his first stop on a site facility enabled him to appreciate tour which followed a various applications, such as management review, and computer-aided manufacture, Touring the focussed factory and everything looked brand new. facility layouts and electronic (below) studying a series of product Al remarked on the light and transfer of designs including a movers in the course of AGV open working environment and link-up with Fuji Xerox. development. the absence of clutter around the The final port of call was the workstations. He showed keen M2000 project room, where Al interest in the product mover and saw the illustrated assembly the planned progression to a low process demonstrated. cost automated goods vehicle. "He was particularly Phil King, M2000 project impressed with our M2000 leader, explained about the achievements and believed our preparations for the setting up of plans to be 'right on track'," said the 5018/28 in the same area; David Stokes. afterwards, our visitor was taken "He also commented to see a demonstration of single favourably on the general site cell build of these machines in the facilities, housekeeping and the existing facility in building 4, very commendable attitude of where the electronics facility from staff with whom he talked. Welwyn is being installed. "He is, he said, looking Earlier Al had been given a forward to doing business with full presentation of the electronics transition plan and he was most impressed with the progress made Al Dugan has a char with Fred Sheers In the training centre our visitor sees how recruits for the developer housing in a relatively short period in the in ihe pack area of5018/28 assembly. operation are being equipped for the job. relocation of this operation at Mitcheldean. Said site director David Stokes: "His general feeling was that if we were able to successfully manage the transition and establish electronics at Mitcheldean it would represent a tremendous opportunity for the site and its future." Continuing his tour, Al visited the harness assembly centre where he leamed of the work carried out for other Xerox plants and saw the use of video equipment for one of the JIT 2 showcase strategies. Development team make a timely move

The engineering team led by Ken Osborne (fay Icjii- lur right is programme manager Mike Gii•een.

A FEW years ago, Mitcheldean meet the customer requirements that their new working than splitting my group up." staff were to be seen working for this El Segundo product. environment should be equivalent February also saw the arrival alongside staff at Welwyn, in all Also reporting to Mike is to their existing one. of FPP staff, both Welwyn people functions and at all levels, during another long-serving ex- Lack of space made it and Mitcheldean assignees, who the development phase of the Mitcheldeaner — Ron Caldicutt, impossible to locate them have been conveniently 5046 mid volume copier. manager of forward procurement alongside the pilot build operation accommodated within building Today they are once again planning (FPP). as they had wished, but an 6/2, where they have the support working together as a team on the Making up the rest of the alternative location was found in of materials staff development of a new product. programme team are an equal building 7/3 and Dave Poyner Also working well with But there's a change in the number of systems engineering, (works engineering) who was planners during this time of scenario. This time they are co- software, electrical hardware and given the task of getting it ready intense change are small batch, located here at Mitcheldean where reliability test staff located at in a short time scale earned fuser and harness operations who the machine is to be Welwyn, and Mike divides his himself an accolade! are providing prototype, pre- manufactured. time between the two sites. The area, vacated some time production and modified parts. And, benefiting from The decision to bring the pilot ago, had to be 'reactivated'. For the Welwyn team a major experience with the earlier plant, engineering and associated Ethernet had to be reinstated in factor was having to leave their programme, a different set-up has FPP staff from Welwyn to the totally enclosed area and a families and friends during the been adopted. Mitcheldean was prompted by a code-operated security lock fitted. week. They were offered a special The product development team need to engage our plant The facility also had to include a assignment package and our is a stronger, technically processes and procedures as small print room equipped with personnel department were happy competent one with overall regards quality, training dyeline printer. to assist in their integration. accountability for the product disciplines, etc. — "All the good Across the floor offices for Said employee relations under the leadership of Mike things that prepare us for Mike Green and his secretary and manager Charlie Walker, "Our Green, new product programme transition to manufacturing," as a conference room were provided, task was to help them find manager. Bob put it. while down in the pilot plant area accommodation in hotels or Mike, who has 27 years' Front runners in the move a development lab. with laser area rented houses and John Xerri and experience with the company were Bob's pilot plant team — a was installed. Caroline Baynham gave behind him, is no stranger to this group of our assembly, product Last February the vans rolled assistance in various ways." site, having been technical engineering and other staff in, bringing all the equipment the Previously employed in the programme manager on the 4000 involved in the initial build engineers required. Apart from a European Systems Centre family in the '70s. operation. copier, laser printer and fax personnel department, John was Before becoming programme Shortly before Christmas 1989 machine there were about ten able to identify with them, having manager on the 5052, he managed they returned to home base, along workstations and VAX terminals experienced the same problems the pilot plant at Venray during with their tools, fixtures and parts, plus instrumentation for himself the development of the 1040/50 and settled in a new build facility technicians. "We put them in touch with and, he says, "I wanted to set up set up adjacent to 5046 They also brought their own hotels and estate agents, vetted something similar to what we had production. 'phones, chairs, desks and tenancy agreements, and there." Surveying it from his drawing boards, the latter being answered numerous questions Reporting to him is Bob Short, mezzanine office. Bob required to back up the about everything from sports manufacturing resource team commented: "It is all going very Intergraphs in our CAD/CAM centres to poll tax issues," he said. manager. As such he has charge well and we are happy with it." facility. An information room was set of the pilot plant activity which is Section manager George Ken Osborne considers it is all up at Welwyn and now all this fully integrated into the product Elliott reported that they had a working out well and adds: "The data is coming in useful for the development process. good problem tracking system in facility is very good and I have transfer of the electronics For Bob, too, Mitcheldean is place; and Mike Grindle, a 5046 better visibility of the department operation into building 4 familiar territory — in, fact, he FR&T 'veteran', pointed out that than at Welwyn." commencing this spring. joined the company here and "having been involved in 5046 The only disadvantage is that On their first official day on worked in FED during the '70s. development has helped Stuart Christie's line support site, an induction course was Ken Osborne heads the tremendously." team, who are the first contact organised for the newcomers and engineering force (designers, Moving the engineering team with the pilot plant product they were shown around relevant engineers and technicians) who, of 22 was a more difficult and engineers, have to 'commute' areas. working closely with the pilot costly business. between buildings 7 and 3. But, Communications are given plant people, design parts that A condition of the move was says Ken, "It's a better trade-off high priority. "We have a full Bob Short (far left) and his pilot plant team together with the FPP group led by Ron Caldicutt (extreme right). programme team meeting here • I - " - - 1 firfT every week to discuss technical matters," Mike Green told us, "and plant management are invited. We also have weekly staff meetings to ensure our people are kept in touch with developments at Welwyn through the cascade process. "Intensive effort is called for at this stage of the programme and

Continued overleaf 3 Derek Wicks Services, joining the Bell & Howell small batch team, who were machine shop progress section, champions in 1986. where he remained for some three years. 25 years Then he started going places — as one of the crewmen who Ex-miner and former foundryman installed new 914 machines in John Marshall started, customers" premises. "We went paradoxically, in 'finishing'. everywhere in the country except He worked in the polishing and the London area. It was the most vibro shops, then after a year interesting job I" ve ever had," says switched to pallet build for the 813 Derek. assembly main line. He continued 'on the move' A stint in the press shop (spot when this activity was phased out, weld) followed before he went into taking a course in forklift driving the warehouse. When this moved to and carrying out general duties in Gloucester Trading Estate, John the warehouse. stayed on site and became a forklift John In 1966 he returned to the driver in production — a job he has Esmee Halford Marshall machine shop for a further four done for the last 23 years. "I'm years, this time as shop loader Then probably the longest-serving forklift when the new small batch facility driver on site," says John, who was set up in 1970 he transferred to currently operates in building 3/1. that area as materials analyst and a The Marshalls are a truly Rank Service awards decade later saw it merged with the Xerox family. John's wife Eileen tool room. works in spares packing and, if she The department is unique in that had not broken her service, it would 35 years By the time she made her third most of the 14 staff are long- be rivalling John's in length. OUR LONGEST serving woman visit, in 1987, she had been servers, having worked together for Both their sons work on site too employee, Esmee Halford was appointed section manager in some 20 years or more and — Mark on 5046 optics, while recruited at great speed. charge of 5018/28 configuration, a "They're a good bunch of blokes," Stephen, the elder, is employed in Deciding to leave the local job she says she really enjoys says Derek. refurbishing dismantle & clean grammar school, she went to the because "I get involved with so He met his wife Sandy when she section. labour exchange on the morning of many people both sides of the worked at Mitcheldean in Stephen sometimes joins his 27 April 1955, had an interview that Atlantic." production control back in Bell & father when he rough shoots on afternoon at Mitcheldean and was Esmee likes decorating, driving Howell days, and they celebrated local farms, Mark is more of a asked to start the next day. Fords and looking after flowers (her their silver wedding last year. footballer. She took up her duties as junior father does the vegetable gardening, Sandy leads a very busy life — John used to go deep sea angling clerk and tea girl in production so it works out well). she is a Cinderford town councillor with the Rank Xerox Angling Club control, located in the former Fuchsias are her current and a governor of Heywood School, in the '70s. Eileen is now 'hooked' brewery building (now MEWS favourites and she's now trying to yet still finds time for her hobby of on the sport and takes part in sea building 6), and within a year was grow them from cuttings — with making fancy goods. matches. in charge of stock records. helpful hints from another fuchsia She and Derek have two sons, Says John, "I started by fishing Soon afterwards they moved fancier in commodity operations. Daren and Kerry, both of whom are on the Severn and Eileen came too. into the brand new 'admin, carpenters. Now she usually shows me up — building' on the ridge, since when 30 years A darts player for nearly 30 I've even seen her catch conger she has worked in almost all major years, Derek played at league level eels!" buildings on site. "I like the Derek Wicks has spent most of his until about five years ago; now The Marshalls like to go down building 6 I'm in now best of all. 30 years in the parts manufacturing Daren is carrying on the tradition. to Cornwall for their holidays. It's a vast improvement on the first environment. He also takes part in While there last year John was one!" He came to us straight from the interdepartmental skittles with the approached by a film production Esmee was made section leader unit who asked him if he would in spares PCD in 1968, and a few mind being featured in a Gateway years later was commuting weekly TV commercial. The family eagerly to Venray in connection with the awaited the showing on screen and transfer of the 3100. "My most saw him appear — but only as a vivid memory is of catching a coach silhouette. to the airport on Mondays at 4am.'" "I didn't mind," says John, "the she says. pay was generous!" In 1976 she was promoted to supervisor in configuration control when this was transferred from New post for P.M. Pai PCD to commodity operations. She has visited the States on AFTER some 15 months on three occasions. She first went to assignment to EMO at Webster in 1983, and while there Mitcheldean, P.M.Pai returned to watched the Rochester baseball India last March to take up an team playing in a match — from the appointment as joint director of Xerox 'box'. materials for Modi Xerox, based On her second visit the Seated — Graham Selwyn (refurbishing), Tim Humphries (MIS) and Mike Wall in Delhi. following year she flew on to El (QA); standing — Gordon Jenkins (transport) and Steve Williams (fusers). In his new capacity, he hopes Segundo in California in connection Others who qualified recently for 20 year service awards were Andrew Tate to make effective use of his work with MICR, a 9500 derivative for (purchasing ), Bill Hatton (fusers) and Graham Yemm (flexibility pool). experience at Mitcheldean, printing cheque forms. especially in the areas of JIT and strategic planning. been arranged, a badminton court sheep and I don't think they During his time with us, he Continued from page 3 made a major contribution to the rented, and two skittles evenings believed us — but they do now!" development of the M2000 we have to get the best out of the held locally which have proved said one of the pilot plant team.) project — the success of which he team." very popular. "We get on very well with the attributes to "the positive attitude Working 12 hours a day three A match in the football field people we work with." "I like the of everyone involved." days a week, with shorter hours against Mitcheldean plant is people here, I like their sense of Expressing his sincere on Mondays and Fridays, there planned and staff are competing humour." These are the sort of appreciation of the help and wouldn't appear to be much time in the interdepartmental cricket comments we have picked up support he received from various for social activities. competition. from Welwyn staff. Mitcheldean staff during his assignment, P.M. said he had But to help compensate for Everyone enjoys the beautiful Mitcheldean reciprocates their greatly enjoyed working here — lack of families and friends, and scenery — and the lack of sentiments. And we appreciate "I felt part of the Mitcheldean counterbalance the mental effort congestion on the roads. ("We having the new programme under team right from day one." at work, five-a-side football has warned them about the Forest our roof too. Ray Jones and Dick Delahay discuss the current status of the Ray has a road enterprise. safety solution

BEING BLIND doesn't mean you He was put in touch with Dick can't see a problem or envisage a Delahay, product engineering solution to it. manager, who guided him through It was while being given a car the process. Says Ray, "He has lift to work from Monmouth, been, and still is being, a great where blind brothers Ray and help." Lionel Jones have their homes, Some of the early drawings that Ray became aware of a were done with the assistance of a 70 per cent, grant to develop the particular problem faced by car two Rank Xerox apprentices — idea further, provided the work So Ray pressed on alone. After drivers. first Richard Pittaway (who later was done in Gwent. six months or so he finally Travelling along the dual worked in WGC engineering) and Two ex-Rank Xerox engineers established contact with a carriageway linking Monmouth subsequently Mikela Stewart were then contracted — John company making commercial and Ross-on-Wye, their driver (now Hale), who works today in Badham (who operates a business vehicle parts and last January he often complained about the spray refurbishing. in the MEWS) and Dave Foster, and Dick went to Manchester to thrown up on wet days from the The formal application for a Mitcheldean's former product meet their representatives. wheels of heavy vehicles which UK patent completed, it was duly safety officer, who now runs his It turned out that they were, in spattered the windshield and filed with the Patent Office in own safety concern. fact, seeking to extend their range virtually blinded him. December 1986, the very month In a Monmouth garage they set with new products and showed At the time when our story when Ray and Lionel opted for up a fearsome-looking test rig significant interest. begins, Lionel was in spares retirement. which simulated water spray from "We are hoping to get the first packing while Ray, aided by a The patent process is far from a vehicle wheel, and a model of prototype produced by the special tool, was building speedy. In this case it took two the device was tested against beginning of June," Ray was 1025/1038 ducting assemblies — and a half years altogether. British Standards requirements. pleased to report. a job which even sighted people When the first search To everyone's surprise, except Several people, in addition to don't find too easy. confirmed that there was no trace perhaps Ray's, the tests showed it Ray, Dick and Lionel, have Ray set his mind to the spray of a device of this type, Ray was was about 30 per cent, more demonstrated their faith in the problem, and devised a way of 'over the moon'. effective than anything else device by backing the enterprise diverting the water generated by Dick, however, pointed out around. and "We hope to make a bob or heavy vehicles' wheels. that "Getting a patent simply As Ray explained, "There are two." said Ray. Although mudflaps reduce the shows that no one else has a number of spray suppression amount of mud and water thrown thought of the idea — it doesn't devices on the market and as long RAY AND Lionel — and a sister — up, they don't generally limit the prove it will work. as they have a 65 per cent, have all lost their sight through an amount of spray created. "But no commercial concern is performance figure they are inherited condition known as Ray came up with the idea of a going to be interested in an within the law. detached retina. spray-suppression device invention that hasn't been "But European regulations Lionel went blind at the age of comprising slats and a backing proved." coming into force mean that that 11. He attended the School for the Blind at Bridgend where he studied sheet with a number of ribs. figure will have to rise to 70 per The need, therefore, was to Braille and leamed ba,sket-making. The spray would pass through design a prototype, build it and cent. Only a couple of existing Today he does chair-caning. the slats and be directed towards test it, all of which would cost devices can meet that, whereas Ray, who reached the age of 38 the ribs; these would form gutters money. ours rates about 95 per cent." before he was affected, does a little to channel the mud/water back to It was now 1988, and Ray By this time — mid-1989 — woodwork in his retirement. the road, so avoiding a approached his local MP, the the patent had been made public, Both brothers attend the centre splashback. Secretary of State for Wales, the attracting a rush of response from for the disabled in Monmouth, and His device could be used as a Minister of Roads and Traffic, entrepreneurs who wanted to are members of the RAOB. They also enjoy a pint in the mudflap or be located around the even the House of Commons, in exploit Ray's idea. Green Dragon Inn where, his efforts to obtain a grant. "We interviewed a couple of inside surface of a mudguard. incidentally, they can reminisce Ray decided he would patent This culminated in Ray and them," Dick told us, "but decided with another ex-RX employee — his idea but he needed help with Dick meeting a representative they wanted more out of the former works engineer John Evans, drawings and advice on how to from the Welsh Development project than they were prepared to who is the landlord. apply for a patent. Office. They succeeded in getting put in."

following the plan written by race he crossed the finish line at Ian — marathon man director Chris Brasher for Westminster Bridge after 3 hrs 53 IAN HALE, who is captain of beginners. mins 46 sees of gruelling effort to Ross Rowing Club, swapped The New Year saw Ian complete his first ever marathon. rowing on the Wye for running in receiving treatment for leg "The atmosphere was terrific the London Marathon on Sunday, injuries and a month before the — people cheering, bands playing 22 April, and found it an equally due date he was uncertain if he — and that kept me going, even wet experience. would make it. "But I planned my when it was pouring. I didn't see Our PQA manager had training around my injuries," he any famous people on the way, decided it would be a good way to said. but I saw some 25,000 who mark the year of his 40th The massed run began at weren't!" birthday. He applied for an entry Blackheath at 9.30am — it was Suffering with his left knee in the event, but being one of cool with rain, and owing to the and some blisters but otherwise some 70,000 applicants, he volume of competitors it was Th OK, he had one day's rest before realised he hadn't more than a 50 minutes before Ian arrived at the getting back to the office, where per cent, chance of taking part. start line. he was hailed as 'Marathon man'. His acceptance arrived along His aim was to complete the Would he do it again? "Ask Ian Hale with his London Marathon with Christmas and he began a course and, if possible, finish in me in about six months' time," he medal. serious campaign of training. under four hours. As it turned out. says. An early warning system to lieep problems at bay "IT'S THE most significant not the first statistical training I activity in quality improvement have had, but it was undoubtedly since Leadership Through the best. Quality." "Nick, Ken and our other That is how Brian Buckland, trainers have done an excellent manager, QA and technical job in simplifying what are quite services, describes SPC difficult concepts to grasp." (statistical process control). For many people, an "Its application to all of our awareness package lasting V/i processes should lead to further hours and adapted to their needs improvements in our product is sufficient. quality and provide an In assembly we have had a opportunity to examine our form of SPC in place for some business processes. time with the measurement of, for "The discipline of SPC will example, DPHM (defects per enable us to manage by using hundred machines) and other statistical data, removing some of 'attributes' — data which is the subjectivity and variability." positive and countable. Variation represents a potential Now we have additional loss — to our customers and process control of 'variables' — ourselves — and the use of SPC Pele Jennings and (far right) Ken Jervis, who chair the production and business data that consists of measurable implementation teams, with SPC co-ordinator Nick Hopkinson (centre). The characteristics such as torque, tools and techniques helps us to display shows the various tools and techniques for statistical process control. continually isolate, control and speed, distance and other values that the process has produced. eliminate variation, whether it When in charge of MQA, support. results from people, machines, Brian was a member of a As the total project moved on, To begin with, capability materials, methods or tooling. multinational benchmarking team it became increasingly difficult to studies are carried out to ensure While the problem solving who visited six different plants at cover all areas. So the project was that the manufacturing process is process is used to put things right, Welwyn, Venray and in the USA. split into two, with Pete chairing capable of consistently achieving SPC is a predictive technique — Their investigations showed that the production side and business the engineering specifications. it provides additional control and in all six plants visited, SPC was quality manager Ken Jervis (Nick has been carrying these out an early warning system that can not being applied as well as by chairing the business side. over the past year — "I did 74 prevent problems developing. our prime suppliers. Pete and Ken, along with checks on one model alone," he told us.) It involves establishing the The current intensification of quality engineer Nick Hopkinson capabilities of a process, setting SPC activity was then triggered who is SPC co-ordinator, attend Once capability is proved, control limits, measuring results off when, in spring 1989, Eric each other's fortnightly team control of the process can over a period to see what trends Steenburgh, as senior vice meetings. And since each team commence. That involves emerge, then taking corrective president & general manager, member is required to lead an checking a small quantity of action. D&M/MO, issued a requirement SPC project in his area, these machines each day to see how Our SQA people have been that SPC activity should be meetings provide an opportunity much and how often the familiar with it for some years. applied extensively in assembly to share information about characteristics vary in relation to "During the '80s much effort was and parts fabrication. progress across all functions. previously calculated control limits and taking corrective put in to upgrade our suppliers by This was followed up with a As with Leadership Through action. training them in process control in directive that SPC should be Quality, everyone on site is order to achieve part certification expanded across all product lines required to receive training, In assembly areas, quality and so reduce our receiving and operations by 1 June this which is available at three levels. inspectors record the results on inspection activity," said QA year. There is the SPC computer- control charts so that they, and everyone else, can see any manager Brian Reeves. Pete Jennings, manager, based training in SMIP (statistical adverse or favourable trends. "These efforts proved so manufacturing quality, was methods for improvement in successful, we decided to look for appointed site SPC 'champion' performance) with text reading. Any out of control conditions, the same level of process control and he formed an implementation Designed for managers, and the action taken to correct with our internal suppliers, team to tackle this major inspectors and key them, are logged on the back of comparing them with the best of challenge, with trade union operators/individuals, this the charts. our external ones." representatives providing involves up to 20 hours' studying Chris Rawlings, new build in the Open Learning Centre. quality manager, told us that they In 5046 assembly, inspector Mike Wall (right) discusses a shift in the process Alternatively there is three-day have something in the region of with Marylxn Brain and Reg Taylor classroom SPC training, which 50 control charts — measuring utilises all skills and encourages values like top edge registration debate. magnification, optical and processor alignment, and copy "We've had a good mix of quality — on display in assembly industrial, commercial and areas. management staff at these," says Ken. "It provides much better visual On successful completion of feedback to operators about the either of these types of training quality of their work," he says. each candidate is awarded a Rank Added inspector Mike Wall Xerox diploma, signed by Brian (5046 assembly), "If there's an Buckland. adverse trend, nine times out of It was site director David ten it is tooling that is at fault. But Stokes, however, who signed the you do tend to see more variation certificate when Brian did his when there's a new operator, and SPC course, which, he said, "was the answer is to retrain. of the highest standard. This was "Some people seem to think they should keep their the Swedtums and the inertia performance steady on the middle weld machine (featured in our last STATISTICAL PROCESS mNTPni line between the upper and lower issue) have set the pace in parts CURRENT APPLICATION IMPOOVE .CCURACr Of SUBMITTED OVEimHK SKTS control limits, but it's quite OK manufacturing with SPC systems COMMENCEMENT DATE 08.01,90 FUNCTIONAL SPECIAUST TA KNICHT for it to waver — just like a already built into them, while PROJECT LEADER PROJECT TEAM I normal heart scan." control of variables is being put in The inspectors take the charts place for other processes. I to Nick every week and, with the In business areas such as aid of special computer software, control, materials or personnel, he can analyse any trends, each also has its own processes recalculate control limits and and procedures to work to. produce new charts for future use. As Ken Jervis explains, "You Says Nick, "One question have first to understand the key people often ask me is: If there's a deliverables of the area, then use favourable trend, surely it's a SPC tools like data collection, good thing, so why do you need pareto charts, cause and effect to do anything about it? diagrams and histograms to study "The answer is: If it is a good the processes used so as to thing that's happening, we'd like improve output or eliminate to have the opportunity to waste." incorporate it into the process." As a pilot project, Trevor In refurbishing, SPC Knight, control's SPC specialist, implementation is being carried set up a QIP team to improve Trevor Knighl, control's SPC specialist, points up the process jlow diagrams out in two stages. Said Mel Alder, accuracy in submitted overtime used in a project for improving accural v of submitted overtime sheets. ROS manager: "In the first phase sheets, looking at non• problems has shown variations or a problem sheet lost. we are placing attribute control conformities, type and number of and benefited from SPC. Changes were made in the charts in the paint shop, dismantle errors, etc., which have in the past Steve Dolton, who is dealing process flow, with meetings held & clean, and also mid volume resulted in claims having to be with the business side of technical daily to ensure effective rebuild lines. rejected. services, has led a project on 5046 corrective action close-out at level "In the second, we shall look Communicating with level I CCA activity. I and "within a month we got at each of the respective areas in managers in all areas and The team investigated the problem delays right down," said terms of business requirements explaining their requirements reasons for too many problem Steve. and apply Leadership Through have now reduced the number of sheets over five days' old within These changes are now being Quality with SPC techniques to queries and errors dealt with by level I CCA and identified implemented by section managers gain improvement." payment operations. special causes of variation, such throughout the whole site. Sophisticated machines like Even the process used to solve as the move of a section manager. BOM team report clear benefits OUR BOM (bills of material) — usage linkages amounted to 62.5 a kind of materials 'family tree' per cent — "If we hadn't deleted — badly needed pruning if it was any records, instead of the 74,500 to continue to yield quality records on file as at January 1990, results. we would have had 160.000," Thanks to the efforts of a QIP said Bob. team whose project was selected The actual number of records for presentation to ORM last on the part file, in turn, has shown February, more than 100,000 a 57 per cent reduction over the unnecessary BOM and part same 15 month period. records have been removed, and a Spares proved to be the set of 'self pruning' procedures biggest 'product' affected — a put in place to avoid a further BOM Reduction team members Pauline Jones, leader Bob Farnham. Joanne great many redundant spares build-up of redundant data. Davis and Chris Cinderey get down to discussing obsolete refurbishing records. assemblies that had been on file Computer processing times to products we were no longer to,' referred them to the relevant for years were shaken out, along have been reduced by up to 80 per building, had not been removed areas (new build, refurbishing, with other dead wood. cent and BOM enquiry look-up since the introduction of the new etc.), and obtained their The clearing programs run times have been halved. materials system (MMCS) in agreement as to what could be monthly are proving effective in The basis of the requirements January, 1987. deleted." keeping up the good work. "We planning system at Mitcheldean, Said Bob Famham, file control The team then developed knocked 1,500 items off at our the BOM records all parts and section manager, "While we were clearing programs for parts and last one," Bob told us. assemblies required to developing MMCS, deletions had assembly components — a whole "In addition, we re-assess manufacture new build and a low priority — the important set of rules and regulations which products for cancellation every refurbishing products, harnesses thing was to get the new system ensure that records no longer six months in the light of our own and parts manufacturing up and running. As a result, the needed are automatically deleted knowledge and we're assemblies as well as spares — BOM was in danger of running from the system at regular investigating further reduction down to 'buy level'. out of space." monthly intervals. opportunities." It is derived from authorising About 18 months ago, Bob set The team also made provision All this has made room for documents which issue and up a team consisting of Joanne for reinstating data after new data to be added, and change parts as necessary. All Davis (file control), Chris cancellation should this be resulted in significant savings in parts are linked via next Cinderey (refurbishing), Martin necessary, and ways of reloading time and money. assemblies to form the 'family Haines (harnesses), Roy Watkins the system without too much MMCS interfaces with other tree' structure including quan|ities (MIS) and Pauline Jones (cost effort were devised. Xerox systems. And since MMCS off, percentages, issuing office), their prime objective The whole system went live at users include 'just about document numbers and part being to provide a more the end of 1988 and results have everybody', not only on site but details. manageable system. exceeded all targets. also at other company locations in The problem was that data was "We looked at each group of The team had aimed to reduce this country and overseas, the being added all the time, while products or assemblies, data by 40 per cent. team's achievements are proving redundant data, even that relating established whom they 'belonged In fact, the reduction of BOM of widespread benefit. They've opened windows on engineering

THE AIM was to give secondary They had decided on getting schoolchildren who were starting lots of pupil participation. Janie to consider their future careers an had had experience in training 16 insight into engineering as a to 17-year-olds but, as she pointed profession. out, "These were a younger age Janie Phelps and Jerry Hatch group and you had to work hard were so successful, however, that to hold their attention and keep they were in danger of being it." poached by the teaching "This was more easily done profession! working as a team," added Jerry. Two regional organisations — "As one of us wrote on the SATRO (Science & Technology) blackboard, the other would do working in conjunction with the talking; if one dried up the ECRO (Engineering Council) — other would pick up the thread. and careers teachers were "We kept it low key recruiting young but experienced throughout and avoided very engineers for their 'Opening technical terms." Windows on Engineering' First they introduced scheine. themselves and explained briefly Janie and Jerry were how they had come into nominated by us, partly because engineering — Jerry via they had both left school within apprenticeship followed by two the last ten years and could years on the production line ("The therefore relate better to the best grounding you can have" he pupils, and partly because they maintains), Janie by way of the demonstrated that engineering YTS scheme and then was a profession in which either apprenticeship (see feature Janie Phelps and Jerry Hatch get sex could succeed. opposite). ready for the presentation. "We didn't have time to put Then they got two-way forward separate presentations, communication going. "We talked about our recent a selling job they did for their and as our jobs are so similar it The class all knew Rank millionth copier celebration and profession that, when they asked made sense to do a joint one," Xerox made photocopiers but quoted from David Stokes' "Anyone thought of becoming an explained Janie. they didn't realise we marketed a address, reported recently in engineer?", all but two of the There was a one-day training whole range of office equipment 'Vision'. class put up their hands — and course in Bristol, attended by the and systems. And while they'd "Comparisons like 'If all the that included the three girl pupils representatives from other heard of Mitcheldean they didn't million machines built at (obviously Janie's presence had concems, at which they were know of our other locations, so Mitcheldean were placed had a very encouraging effect). given some guidelines. the slides borrowed from the alongside one another, they would The would-be engineers were The commitment was for a employee induction package reach to Land's End and back advised they would need to study year with a minimum of four came in handy. again' gave the class a novel maths, physics, English and visits to different schools, and It was a splendid opportunity angle on our products! another Europiean language and their first, on 14 February, was to for promoting Rank Xerox, and "They made a good guess at they heard about the advantages Berkeley Vale Community School the 1012 desk-top copier our the cost of a copier like the 1012. they could expect — travel, a as part of its careers convention. engineers had taken with them But when we told them how much good salary, variety and A careers master sat in on the made an excellent impression in it cost Rank Xerox to challenge. presentation along with some of more ways than one. "The manufacture its products Janie and Jerry expounded the the other presenters and a SATRO children were delighted to have there were gasps of Rank Xerox philosophy of representative was there to assess 'hands on' copies to take home, astonishment," reported Jerry. satisfying the customer — and their performance. and we took out the drum and the "Their perception of what an teamwork. Both spoke of their job Little wonder they felt cartridge to show how the engineer does was pretty wide of satisfaction and said they could apprehensive as they faced the photocopying process worked,' the mark too," added Janie. genuinely recommend class of about 20. they said. "Obviously they thought of engineering as a career. engineers in terms of mechanics In a quick round-up at the end who grappled with the workings they fielded various questions Titanic you for lending them of cars and washing machines. ("How much do you earn?" "How "This gave us the chance to much holiday do you get?"), and IN A letter of appreciation from than relying on the pupils sitting explain the many facets of afterwards they compared notes Berkeley Vale Community School, and listening quietly — and getting engineering — design, with the other presenters on how John Graham (careers department) bored in the process! production, quality and so on." the presentations had gone. congratulated our two SQA "If Jerry and Janie ever tire of Jerry said, "We told them how Both felt they had leamed engineers on "a brilliant engineering, I would suggest they something themselves from the performance. It is especially consider teaching engineering or costly line stops were and pleasing to find young people to CDT (craft, design and explained how our job was to experience; and the thought that whom our youngsters can relate, technology) where schools are ensure that the parts we buy in they might have set some particularly as lady engineers are so desperately short of staff. arrive in a fully functional and youngsters on the path to a scarce." "Meanwhile, they are a credit to satisfactory manner. satisfying career in engineering "Jerry and Janie," he continued, your firm, and did a great deal to "We told how we use the was a reward in itself. "were exemplary in the way in raise the image of engineering. problem solving process every which they had prepared the Thanks for letting us 'borrow' day and how we work with material and built into their them!" suppliers to prevent problems programme fun activities rather arising." It was a measure of how good with the development of young people, passing on skills she Janie — herself had acquired only a short time before. an Then product training on the 10 Series brought a unique opportunity — to go to Egypt in engineer April 1989. "I went out with training officer Dennis Duke, product by engineer Mike Salmon and Fred Niblett (tool inspection) and we spent two weeks there training accident Egyptian operators on the 1025. "We commuted from Cairo to 6th of October City, out in the JANIE PHELPS had always desert. It was a never-to-be- wanted to be a policewoman. "I forgotten experience and the Brian Jannetta. Neil Jenkins and Tony Gattuso. became an engineer by accident," people were fantastic!" she says. Janie is slim, but she came Unable to get into the force, back even slimmer, having lost she decided to try the YTS half a stone. She saw the Progressing in scheme and applied for a clerical pyramids at Giza and other tourist placement at Mitcheldean. musts, but declined the But in view of the fact that she experience of riding on a camel. had done maths, physics, More opportunities for travel tiiree directions metalwork and languages at the opened up when a year ago she CAPPED AND gowned, three train others in the Open Learning local grammar school, she was made Mitcheldean history by former engineering technical Centre. persuaded to opt for YTS becoming our first woman SQA apprentices from Mitcheldean Latterly he has worked with engineering training which led to engineer. received their diplomas at a quality systems manager Bob her gaining an RX apprenticeship. She did the obligatory SMIP graduation ceremony in Reid on preparations for the "I wasn't too keen," Janie course and was on the corrective Birmingham Town Hall in March, D&M/MO audits. "Quality admits frankly. But now she's action team for some time. There having completed an HND course engineering gives me the best sure she made the right decision. were no problems fitting in with in electronic engineering and possible experience because it Janie is the third female the rest of the all-male team — computer technology at the City familiarises me with business as engineering apprentice we have "They were great" she told us. of Birmingham Polytechnic last well as production operations," he had at Mitcheldean. She was But when she started going out year. told us. taken on in September 1983, by on the road, did she come up Checking on how they had Both Brian and Tony have which time her sister Mandy had against any male chauvinism? we progressed since leaving college, embarked on a NEBSM also joined our YTS scheme. asked. we found all three assisting with certificate course and recently Both she and Janie assisted "Not really — though key activities on site within the exercised their leadership skills with the staging of an RX stand at someone did explain to me what a different branches of engineering playing war games (see page 12). the Cinderford technical college drill was! Firms sometimes think they had chosen. The son of Wilf Jenkins, one the following spring, which that because you are a female you Tony Gattuso, a manufacturing of our maintenance electricians, demonstrated what training under don't know what's what. That engineer, has already been Neil wanted to get into the our YTS scheme could achieve. actually has its advantages involved in various projects. computer systems side and Mandy contributed a toolbox because they explain more to me As a member of the 5018/28 successfully applied for a job in she had made, Janie a question- and I end up knowing more fully technical support team he acted as MIS. and-answer hand-out in which she about their activifies." co-ordinator for an international M2000 projects — writing set out many good reasons for Her work can cover workshop in connection with computer programs for on-line joining the scheme, based on her commodities ranging from translations for labels and transactions (the operator own experience. plastics to electrical components, electronic messages for a new materials pull system) and the (Mandy later took up a job in and the suppliers she has been product. computerisation of flash test the wiring section for a time, and dealing with are based all over the More recently he has been recording — plus other is now married with two country, from Lancashire to helping with 5012/14 IAP applications work necessitate a children.) Hampshire, Milton Keynes to conversion, and he has now great deal of involvement with Having achieved an HND at Monmouth, as well as one in Eire. joined Peter Street's European users and "I'm kept pretty busy the completion of her "The Milton Keynes company Integration team. coping with queries," says Neil. apprenticeship, Janie went into have a counterpart in Germany, Brian Jannetta has gone 'down All three are happy with their the training centre and assisted near Diisseldorf, which has led to the quality track'. One of the first career progress and appreciate the my doing a quick trip to mainland people to do a SMIP course, he support they have had from more Europe." has assisted Nick Hopkinson with experienced colleagues. SQA engineers work with the expansion of SPC, helping to Full circle suppliers to analyse and qualify MANY WILL recall Debbie the manufacturing and control Lowen, our very first girl processes used by the latter to carry out a survey to see if the lunches are rushed affairs. apprentice at Mitcheldean. produce parts. When a part is company is capable of producing But when she's on site, she is After gaining her HND, she 'process qualified', then quality parts for Rank Xerox," only too pleased to see any YTS was placed in the electronic production batches may be Janie says. youngsters she used to train and workshop. Then came cuts in the shipped direct to any Xerox "With exisfing suppliers, our go through their homework with workforce and she took various production facility without goods work involves drawing reviews, them. "It's a refresher for me, and jobs outside before returning as a I enjoy helping them." contractor in PQA. receiving inspection. quality plans, SPC, etc., prior to Now we hear she has become Such work calls for good the delivery of parts. Janie is planning to buy a a lecturer in the engineering interactive and communication "Sometimes if there is a cottage and refurbish it in her department at GlosCAT and skills — the ability to work with problem with a part I go down on leisure time — but not entirely by among her students is Jonathan people of all levels, whether it be the line here and work with the herself Barlow, one of our 1989 intake of a quality manager, production corrective action team Both her father and brother are trainees, who is doing an staff, or even the managing investigating the matter." builders and "I shall keep an eye electrical course in the training director. There's a great deal of driving on the quality of the work," she centre. "If it's a new supplier, we up and down the motorways and laughs. Back in the biack One FIGURES WERE on most suppliers for better discounts, people's minds on Tuesday, 20 reported treasurer Dave Lea, and singer. March — Budget Day. And many contracts had been budgeting was the main topic cancelled or renegotiated with again in the evening, when the considerable savings. One Sports & Social Club held its Close monitoring of the AGM. staffing had al.so worked wonders song. Chairman Geoff Duggan was in controlling the wage bill which, delighted to announce that, at the end of the year, was some despite the present climate, the £8.000 less than in 1988. YOU NEED something special to club had come from £13,000 in On the income side, every area get people to be quiet in a pub. the red to £8,500 in the black — finished with a profit, and some Bill Walters, an inspector in an indication of the good job done accounts had been switched to refurbishing assembly, obviously by the committee and staff over earn a higher rate of interest. has that 'something special'. Bill Walters strikes the right note. the past year. The committee undertook to He's been singing folk songs The last time the club had consider a change of accountants in pubs since he was old enough 'Sounds Alive", who used to be a made a profit was in 1986. with a view to reducing charges. to go into them, though it takes forklift driver on site. He did the While there had been no major Acknowledging the good work real ale to persuade him through recording in BilFs home and expenditure, improvements had done by the committee and staff, the door (which possibly accounts Terry Darrington, a refurbishing been effected during the year in Geoff Duggan appealed to the for his rich tones!). colleague and RX Camera Club the way of replacements and membership to respond by giving "Most folk singers have a pint chairman, took a photo for the renovations, reported secretary more support for functions inside them," he says, "It helps to cover in the Red Hart at Blaisdon. Nora Powell. organised. lubricate the voice and adds to the Among the dozen songs on the New carpet tiles had been laid Two suggestions for helping to atmosphere. But I never take cassette is one written by another in the passageway to the bar and improve attendance were put enough to make me go off key or RX colleague who is well versed lounge, replacement kitchen units forward by Pete Griffiths — the forget my words." in the Forest dialect — Rob had been fitted (the result of an provision of minibus transport The words are all-important, Miles. insurance claim), and a new and the creation of a walkway for Bill sings unaccompanied. Rob, who is featured in our industrial microwave oven had from Eastem Avenue to make the Since he started singing about 25 cover story, has in fact written been acquired to improve the club more accessible from the years ago, he has collected some over 100 Forest poems and he service during lunchtimes. village. The committee promised 200 folk songs. offered to write one for Bill to More money would have to be to look into this also. They reflect our history in the sing. spent, however, to comply with Richard Morgan and Chris life and work of ordinary people Enfitled 'Vorest Miner" it new hygiene regulations coming Warren were each offered life and Bill, like other folk singers, is strikes an authentic note, for Rob into force; and plans were membership in recognition of helping to keep them alive. comes from a mining family. underway for the erection of a their services. Now Bill's gone solo on "I showed it to Doug Maclean partition in the snooker room, Officers were re-elected as cassette with 'One Singer. One of the Forest Bookshop; he was which meant the loss of one table follows: chairman: Geoff Song'. And the reason for his very impressed and he wrote the but gave the club much needed Duggan; vice chairman: John choice of title? music for it,"" said Bill. "I've put storage space. Howls; treasurer: Dave Lea; "When I first went into pubs, my best songs on cassette and this New outside doors had been secretary: Nora Powell. competition was rife. You'd get was a must." fitted and the exterior of the club Geoff and Richard continued someone singing one song, and Bill's range is considerable, was to be painted (a task in office as trustees and John another singing a different one. I not only in bis songs and his undertaken by the company). The Gumey was elected in succession remember it all got too much for a voice but also in the area he children's play area had been set to Ian Laskey. certain chap and he suddenly covers. up with seats and litter bins and it Phil Collins, Sean Grant, Chris stood up and shouted 'One singer. He is booking secretary with was hoped this facility would be Warren, Mike Manns and Chris One song!' the Forest of Dean Folk Song used and enjoyed this summer. Reed make up the rest of the "I felt it struck just the right Club, but Bill is actually a The committee were committee. note for my cassette." Hereford man, and he was among constantly negotiating with This is not the first time Bill the guest artists in the Ledbury has gone on record. He did an Folk Fayre held the week before eariier recording with the group Easter. Obituaries 'Something Stirred' — but people "A good voice and damn good kept telling him he ought to get songs" are his recipe for a folk his solos down on tape. singer's success. He certainly has THE OLDEST of our retired LSA He was a founder member of the members. Ray Camp, died on 28 Mitcheldean LSA and had been its Then he met local recording both. March at the age of 86. first secretary and later its chairman. engineer Barry Woodley of Ray joined the laboratory He was also chairman of the Sports workshop of British Acoustic Films & Social Club for many years. in London in 1933 and in the early Ray retired in 1968 after 35 New iinks witfi '40s was one of the pioneers who years' service: among the hobbies iocai scitools moved to Mitcheldean when the that kept him occupied was that of OUR LINKS with local schools company was engaged on making and repairing clocks. Government contract work. are continuing. Any news for Vision? He worked on film projectors for Fred Oliver, who died on 20 Keith Butcher, science teacher both professional and amateur use in February within a few days of his from Heywood School, If you have, then please — the "experimental lab.' later 60th birthday, had been on FR&T in Cinderford, is with us for the mail it to me in bid. 6/2, renamed the model shop, and it was 4000 assembly and he was working summer term, shadowing while Ray was manager that the at Lydney on the 2300 model when managers in various departments, or leave it at any gatehouse for collection by me, department was given the job of he retired after 19 years' service. He while a group of primary school constructing the initial 914 was a retained fireman at Cinderford teachers are visiting us to prepare or post it to me at Tree Tops, machines. Plump Hill, Mitcheldean GLI7 and after leaving us he did various industry-related resources to help He was a prolific source of ideas jobs, most recently being a driver OEU. support aspects of the National and some of these led to significant for a car hire firm. or ring me — ext.566 or Dean improvements in the company's Curriculum particularly in design 542415. & technology and science. What products, both Bell & Howell cine We would like to express our Myrtle Fowler, editor equipment and later Xerox copiers. sympathy with their families. they do will be used as a model nationally. The Oplicals, winners of the men's competititm.

The Panduit Girls won the ladies' team finals: runners-up were the Dillies, pictured below.

Our cup finals A LOCAL lad who is a possible year's winners, the Dillies (finance), into second place by 36 stickers-up — Adam Trigg and future World Cup rugby player — (Hygiene Services) led by Joan to 33. Darren Whitney. he's now in the 1995 Cup squad Boseley, were beaten by a harness The men's individual semi• Then it was back to the alley — presented the trophies at the assembly team — Panduit Girls finals were played on the same for team photographs, with Terry finals night of the Rank Xerox — who, under their captain Dawn night as the finals and with Chris Darrington behind the camera and Business Park Interdepartmental Lark, won the Sadie Pritchard Warren and Mike Gurden (5046 Julian Davis tackling the situation Skittles tournament on Saturday, Cup with a score of 194 to 181. assembly) knocked out. Terry with all the courage and cool- 21 April. In the men's competition, the Wood (refurbishing) fought it out headedness that the England Julian Davis, England Under Opticals won a resounding with Steve Giles (5012 assembly), Under 21 s demonstrated when 21 scrum-half, had that very activity with a tremendous score Terry emerging winner of the they triumphed against Holland a afternoon been helping his club, of 243 (one of the highest David Stokes Perpetual Trophy week later. Bristol RFC, thrash Newport by throughout the tournament) with 37 against Steve's 29 pins. There was still one more 23:13. against the Wye Oners' 208. Harold Ennis of the Wye trophy up for grabs — a wooden His brother Andrew, who The Opticals, who had lost Oners made a splendid 60 (one of spoon which Gardner Merchant works in dismantle & clean their captain Sid Cooper through the biggest scores ever) to have donated for the winners of a section, came along with him to injury (though not through become highest scorer in the team 'worst eight' contest, being the finals as 'prop' (a position in skittles), were led by John Walby whole tournament, while Marice played off later which he plays for Bream RFC on the night, while Phil Collins Pick (spares packing) was top who, as he modestly says, are captained the runners-up. lady scorer, each of them THE CLUBHOUSE did good business on finals night for at the "not quite in the same class as Playing for the first time in the improving on last year's highest same time celebrations were Bristol.") scorers by one pin respectively. Business Park contest were going on in the function room Everything went smoothly, Gardner Merchant, whose Carol Sports & Social Club chairman following the wedding of Tony thanks to the organising abilities Ridler gained the David Stokes Geoff Duggan expressed thanks Pickthall (refurbishing) to of Chris Warren (PED). Perpetual Shield for the ladies to all concerned in the Georgina Earner at Ruardean Hill In the ladies' team finals, the individual event, beating last tournament, in which 53 teams Baptist Church. Our good wishes tables were turned when last year's runner-up, Ellen Baldwin took part, not forgetting the go to both.

Left: Andrew Davis came along to support his brother Julian — with them (far right) is organiser Chris Warren. Centre: Terry Wood and Carol Ridler. winners of the men's and ladies' individual skittles, chat with Geoff Duggan, Sports & Social Club chairman. Right: The two highest .scorers. Marice Pick and Harold Ennis. are congratulated b\ Davis. RANK XEROX

Not content with a mask, Sean Mills camouflaged his face as well.

shot at them. This put us on a high, and it showed during the final game Painthallers 'shot' h\ camera include Mitcheldean's Julian Adams, Jeremy Barnard, Paul Bennett, Barry Clein. Tony against the marshals, who were Gattuso. Brian Jannetta. Fred Meek. Sean Mills, Joe Orman, Julian Priest and Robert Sargent. reputedly unbeatable. Jeremy Barnard tells of Everyone had leamed by now that crawling in the undergrowth was the best tactic for surprise A weekend of mayhem and survival. The marshals, armed with WHEN ASKED to arrange their the opponents' flag (or variations be exact. You could see them semi-automatic £400 rifles, soon own residential weekend, the on this theme) and return it to coming but couldn't get out of the worked their way through our NEBSM (formerly NEBSS) their own base. way — they were popping off first set of ambushes. diploma and certificate students at Everyone took it in turns to be left, right and centre. For those of us 'dug in' at the Hereford Technical College's the team leader of the exercise. To kill an opponent, you have flag, the sheer machine-gun noise location in Ross decided to put This involved understanding the to burst a pellet anywhere except from the marshals' fire made us classroom theory into practice — mission, briefing the team as to the head. Head shots hurt (I can all feel vulnerable. The stress was playing war games at the 50-acre the objectives and involving team vouch for that). . . but there are marked, even if we weren't. Mayhem 'Paintball' centre near members in decisions about worse places in which to be shot. They were on top of our flag Hereford. strategy/tactics. Four minutes into the game quite quickly, but our defences We arrived at base camp in The leaders were assessed on and the certificate team were were impregnable. glorious weather thinking we'd various management aspects — beaten. One up to the diplomas! The marshals got fmstrated landed on the TV set of MASH planning, organisation, The games continued in and went all out for our flag, there — ex-Army tents, equipment confidence, communication skills, similar fashion all day. On the was a barrage of fire and our final caravan and the essential re-evaluation of the situation, etc. longer games a 'dead' person ambush team finished them off. Portaloo. So the first warm-up game spent five minutes at base camp We'd beaten them! After a very thorough safety began, a 30-minute affair with the and could then rejoin the fun. Everybody enjoyed the briefing from Martin Atkins, the diploma team at the top of the hill Everyone slept well that night weekend; we all leamed a great course director at Mayhem, and 'certificates' at the bottom, — the drink consumed in the bar deal about ourselves and what it everyone was kitted up with the task being to pick up a flag probably helped a little. would be like in an actual war. overalls, goggles, face mask and halfway up the hill and take it to Sunday came, and we pitted It's serious and for real while the essential gun. the opposing team's base. our new-found skills against a you're on the range — a life or We had the range to ourselves The whistle went and the team of people from Safeway's. death stmggle. You have to think for the day's activities, which teams charged towards the flag. They got the better of us in the and react quickly to ever- consisted of a series of The guns, powered by CO2, warm-up game, but when faced changing situations. defend/attack games, usually held ten paint pellets and you with the task of hitting our targets Altogether great fun — and diploma vs certificate groups. soon leamed that they went at at the fortress 11 times in 30 highly recommended! We plan to Each team had to try to capture some speed — 200ft a second, to minutes, they didn't even get a go again soon.

waste paper. This is recycled to Xerox paper — and conservation make packaging materials and RANK XEROX is the largest simple principle of continual This produces steam which insulation products which supplier of cut sheet paper in the renewal. Selected seeds of pine, generates power and heat for the themselves help to save energy. world. spruce and fir are cultivated in plant and for drying the paper, And recycled paper is As such, it plainly has a vested giant greenhouses and the thus saving on fossil fuels increasingly used when the interest in a continuous supply of seedlings planted out in large otherwise necessary. purpose is suitable {e^ in paper paper, and that means numbers. • To cut effluent discharges, cartons and packaging). conservation of the source of raw • Thinning is essential to the the mills recirculate the water • In the light of new and material — the forests. health of the woodland and it is used and main chemicals involved improved manufacturing How this is being achieved is the thinnings which the paper are recovered for re-use. processes. Rank Xerox is explained in a new brochure from mills use for pulp production and • The chlorine gas process exploring opportunities for Xerox Supplies Division, Marlow. thence for Xerox paper. The traditionally used for bleaching developing an acceptable recycled Did you know, for example, remaining trees grow on to the pulp — the subject of much paper for use on all xerographic that: maturity, to be used for sawn discussion on the environment — copiers and printers. • Only about 15 per cent of timber, constmction and furniture. is being phased out. As the brochure sums up, the all wood felled in the world is The off-cuts and waste wood • All mills supplying Rank goal is to ensure that Rank Xerox tumed into pulp and hence paper. from sawmills also go to pulp Xerox are continuously engaged products and services continue to Most of this comes from the production. in a programme to use even less be at the forefront of coniferous forest belt of Siberia, • Most Xerox paper comes energy. environmental conservation and Scandinavia, Northern Europe from modem integrated mills; the • All waste paper from the protection. and North America. energy which these use is largely paper-making machine is Not just for the benefit of our • The forests which supply produced by the mill itself recycled. In addition. Rank Xerox business, but for the well-being of Rank Xerox are managed on a burning the residue from pulping. actively supports the collection of everyone.