HOUSE MAGAZIi OF RAi XEROX MIICHELOM SEPIEMBER/0CI0RER1994r22]

NEW LOOK FOR XEROX

PHE Document c RANKXER

Rank Xerox managing director Bernard Fournier presents our Barry Romeril chats with Barbara Brooks about her work on the neu! identity. 5018/28 remanufacture line. HERE'S A new look to we build. Out goes the corporate the 'Vision' you're reading blue and in comes a robust red today, but the most which will be used to colour a FINANCE CHIEF'S Timportant change is the new partially digitised 'X' joined Xerox in 1993 from inclusion of a brand new symbol. British Telecommunications in corporate 'signature' which All this represents the new VISIT London where he had served you'll see at the foot of this page. Xerox - "now a significantly ARRY ROMERIL, Xerox as group finance director since This signature, part of a new different company - but it's not executive vice president 1988. Prior to that he had look designed to match its enough to say you're different, and chief financial officer, w orked with BTR and Imperial mission as The Document you must show it, too," said Len Bmade his first visit to Chemical Industries. Company, was unveiled last Vickers, Xerox senior vice Mitcheldean on 19 August, During his visit to our plant, August by Xerox Corporation. president, corporate strategic accompanied by Shraw an he toured parts manufacturing, "Xerox is who we are. The development and communi• Singh, vice president and convenience copiers and work document is what we do. This cations. "Narrowing our focus director of Rank Xerox group copiers, interconnects, new signature embodies that on the document really has Manufacturing & Supply Chain. electronics and the RX understanding and strengthens expanded our market Born in Surrey and a Document Technology Centre the connection," said Paul opportunities." graduate of Oxford, Barry run by the UK Co. in building 9. He also spent time viewing Allaire, Xerox chairman and Commenting on the new- Discussing electronic sub-systems CEO. image. Rank Xerox managing with work group copiers the new European Data Centre. The new identity director Bernard Fournier said: manager Mike Bendall. Following the tour he underscores the corporation's "It's different from current received presentations from the commitment to pro\e the practice, but is familiar enough management team emphasising industry's most comprehensi\ lo be connected with our Mitcheldean's capabilities as an document services: products, heritage. It reflects our stability efficient, fiexible and systems, solutions and support in these turbulent times, yet competitive manufacturing that enable printing, scanning, displays dynamism and unit. faxing and colour, in addition to innovation. The presentations w ere copying. "Most importantly, it reminds followed by a 'round table' There'll be other changes too, us all that we have to see things discussion where Barry, who and we'll be seeing these differently in order to do things reports to Xerox chief executive emblazoned on the equipment differently." officer Paul Allaire, gave an ('unliinifil page 2

THE DOCUMENT COMPANY RANK XEROX Finance chief's visit (cont.) New dental plan F YOU'RE nervous of going to the dentist, it could be more to do with Ithe charges than the treatment. For the price you have to pay to keep your grin intact has increased sharply; at the same time the number of practitioners prepared to treat patients on the NHS has been overview ol'Xerox and tlie greater chance of winning. drastically cut. changes that were taking place. Says site director Gerry ibove left: Discussing tlic The good news is that Asked to comment on his Lane: "We should treat this capabililies of the Decani Rank Xerox has linked up machine which makes multiple with leading insurers views regarding Mitcheldean feedback positively and I would wire harness sub-assemblies, following his day with us, he urge everyone to continue to /ibove right: In the frame weld CIGNA to introduce the RX stated that it was clear from put forward suggestions to section in building 5. dental plan. This aims to feedback he had received in the drive improved productivity Below: Our visitor is shown the help make dental care new SMT equipment in our more affordable and US that the plant had through waste elimination and electronics centre (see feature accessible, allowing undergone change and had process improvement." page 4). employees to spread the made significant progress over cost of treatment across the the last few years. year through a monthly However, he said, we were payroll deduction. in difficult and uncertain times As we went to press, details of the dental plan w ith worldwide staffing were being circulated to all surpluses and over-capacity in employees - who can manufacturing. It was clear choose to stay with their that there were likely to be present dentist or opt for a winners and losers as these new one, no matter problems were addressed. whether they offer NHS or He stated that Mitcheldean private care. was positioning itself well, and The cover is for up to that by continuing to make the £400 of treatment per year for £1.30 per week, and that progress that we had recentiy embraces everything from demonstrated, we stood a investigative and preventative treatment to HE RESULTS of the competitiveness, have accident and emergency 1994 OSI survey have understandably had a call-out and treatment been communicated negative impact on our levels (including sports injuries). Tacross the site in special of satisfaction. briefings by the management We have a big task ahead team. In all, over 90 per cent of us to regain the levels of of employees at Mitcheldean satisfaction we experienced took part in the survey in 1993 and then improve on We get during June. This was the them. Employee Satisfaction largest response rate within ®©D ©(B®[?© remains a key priority for involved RXM&SC. However, our three most Mitcheldean and should be an aspect of our lives which ANK XEROX is featured in a Our general level of unfavourable scores of recent booklet issued by the satisfaction w ith our working satisfaction were for 'Pay', we all work at in the months Employment Department lives has declined since our 'Career opportunities' and ahead. Rentitled 'The Competitive Edge - last survey in 1993. The 'Recognition for performance'. Some dissatisfiers will not Employee Involvement in Overall Satisfaction Index, If we compare ourselves to be solvable in the immediate Britain'. which combines all of the the National Normative data, future and will need to be Described as a quarry of ideas responses into one score, looked at in the longer term; and examples which can be then the main areas where we adapted to suit all types of decreased by 7 per cent at scored significantly lower were others will naturally be organisation, its principal 40 per cent satisfied, and 'Job security', 'Personal beyond local influence and message is that employee nearly all dimensions accomplishment' and therefore need to be involvement, which takes many surveyed show ed a drop 'Co-operation between addressed in the larger forms, is good for both to a varying degree. workgroups'. organisation. organisations and their We were most satisfied Taking a look back at the However, the task for us employees, and is an important with factors in our infiuences on our working lives all is to find those factors tool in improving efficiency and within our dissatisfiers that competitiveness. immediate workplace: 'The at Mitcheldean during the past Underlying that message are people we work with', 'The year, we cannot ignore the we can influence locally. case studies of "good practice person we work for' and 'The changes we have made to There is no doubt that we drawn from a wide range of effectiveness of our achieve our current reputation need to reverse the successful organisations", like manager's communication'. as an increasingly competitive downward tiend in our Land Rover, Cadbury Schvveppes, The latter is a result better manufacturing site. satisfaction; we need to Ford, ICI - and Rank Xerox. than the National Norm by 4 Our external environment develop effective counter- The RX case study tells how per cent, and is a rewarding measures to address our our company surveys all of its has necessitated our making dissatisfiers and thereby to employees and how Quality result in the light of the focus major efforts to reduce costs, Improvement Teams comprising that has been given to eliminate waste and improve improve our working lives at people from all levels, including supporting communication productivity. Some of our Mitcheldean. top management, are formed to in the past year. actions, whilst improving our Gerry Lane develop recommended solutions. 2 L 5047s - good workhorses HEN THE third Bob and Mike gave the staff \d Dressage an overview of the features WChampionstiips for available and instruction on Disabled Riders were being how to operate the 5047s. staged at Hartpury College of They also gave them a help• Agriculture, near Gloucester, line number in case they last July, they had to locate needed support. and borrow horses for some of Some 38,000 copies were the competitors. run off in about 14 days on the The organisers, the Riding two machines; although the for the Disabled Association average field copy count is (RDA), also needed to borrow 10,000 per month per workhorses - of the machine, the 5047s behaved photocopying variety - for like thoroughbreds and The two S047s put in a thoroughbred performance and operated fault- their administrative office. And operated fault-free. free. Pictured with one here are (from left) product assembly manager we were pleased to help out. "They were worth their Steve Pomeroy, and assembly staff Mike Barnard, Bob Adams and Initially they asked for the weight in gold," an RDA section manager Clive Griffiths. loan of "one large photo• representative told us, and Bob copier". Product assembly reported that the service back• manager Steve Pomeroy and up delighted them. Bob Adams (5047 ER&T) went Our sponsorship was to the college to assess their acknowledged by a large sign needs, and about a fortnight outside the office and by labels before the event Bob and on the machines (which Dave electrician xMike Barnard Poyner of works engineering installed not one but two organised). machines, complete with a "As a token of appreciation supply of paper. we were given four of the Sixteen nations and nearly commemorative Royal 100 riders were participating, Doulton mugs produced to and the copiers were needed celebrate the event," Steve told for printing a list of all the us, "and we put them in a riders and times for the draw' for the whole competition as w ell as the department." results. Our new IPs I EET THE new intake of Nottingham, Aston, Bristol and industrial placement Chatham. I students. Pictured here are All went off to Cornwall for (from left, standing) Saleem four days at the end of September HBH The Pnncess Royal, Adam, Charlotte Rowley, Mai president of the Riding for the on an Outward Bound course - Disabled Association, meets the IQA success Smyth, Rebecca Sv^inhoe, Rachel all, that is, except for Darren British team who excelled Bilson, James Tole, Stephen Gamlin (the 13th person Usted!). themselves, carrying off CONGRATULATIONS TO Ian Quantick and Antonella He had the bad luck to break numerous gold awards. In fact, Duncan, quality engineer in asset Schiaffonati; (seated) Ian his ankle w bile playing football, the whole event was an management, who has gained a Robinson, Rate Fogg, Anna which put paid to any rigorous enormous success. Klavenieks, Michele Douglas and outdoor activities, and he had to distinction in his Institute of Quality Darren Gamlin. remain Mitcheldean-bound. to do has been limited to Assurance examination. They were recruited from the He's been placed in GBAS, and travelling by lift up to the fourth Sponsored by the company, he universities/colleges of all the chmbing he has been able floor of building 7. carried out his nine-month course on quality assurance management by distance learning, working in his spare time and attending Stroud Technical College once a month. The subjects covered everything from statistical analysis and motivadon skills to legal implications. Ian is a former IP student - one of our 1990 intake - who, having acquired a BEng in mechanical engineering, returned in 1992 to take up a post in customisation.

If you liavt'. then please — • mail it to me in bid. 7/3, • or leave it at main reception for collection by me, • or post it to me at Tree Tops, Plump Hill, Mitcheldean GU7 0EU. • or ring me — ext. 566 or Dean 542415. ,,,,,, , ... Myrtle Fowler, editor Into equipment maintenance manager Geojf Ludbjw (lift) Willi senior production engineer Ricliard Swithenbank; the latest S\TT is seen left. consists of several inter• communicating modules. The glueing module (Panasonic HDPll) is equipped with cameras which check that the nozzles apply the adhesive consistently and correctly in the dot size required. Nozzles are supplied in differing sizes to match the range of component shapes. Boards progress from the glueing module to an MVHC module (also Panasonic) which identifies and Latest in the SMT lineverifie s the ITH COMPONENTS components, fed in on reels, getting ever smaller, and places them on the under existing surface mount side of each board. W The boards are then 'cured' technology equipment has its limitations. in a hot-air, convectional re- New technology and the flow oven made by Vitronics, requirements for flexibility a UK firm. drive the need for additional This new SMT system has 'special' machines. been carefully positioned in "We have to select alignment with the SMT No.l equipment which will not only production line, which prints meet current needs but will solder paste on to the upper also meet future require• side of boards before placing ments," says Neil Price, auto components. assembly manager. Taking the long view, these The latest £750,000 SMT two lines could be joined up, line installed in EMC - their Richard teaches the new machine board recognition marlcs; watching with a board flip-over device sixth - incorporates a high• is operator Tom Goddard. between them, to make a speed adhesive dispenser with The placing of such SMT- and cost-down advantages continuous screen printing visual recognition, enabling type components by high• than any other way of fitting and glueing production line, faster and more accurate speed machines (tliis latest components to boards. placing components on both handling of components of a line places seven components Like EMC's other SMT top and bottom sides of fmer pitch and higher density. a second) gives better yields lines, the new installation boards. A view from on high HEN AERIAL photos of our site Ware required, we don't need to go to outside operators. Mitcheldean has its own resources to do the job - all, that is, except for the aircraft itself. The scene has changed a bit since the last aerial shots were taken in 1991 so, with the weather obliging last August, it was take-off time for Terry Darrington (customisation) and Martin Exell (works engineering). Here Terry gives us the cameraman's angle: "The last time we took photos of the Mitcheldean site, we had a pilot and co- piloL Now Martin has will we ever find the RXMP Two circuits of the site - w ith its wrell-manicured qualified for his pilot's site? where is the European Data grass roof. licence, it's only the two of Then it's chocks away and Centre? "Over there!" shouts Martin holds a steady us. off we go in the Cessna 150. Martin. "The field without bank as I take shots. He hands me the map Turn left at the end of the any sheep in it!" One more circuit and and flight plan details to runway, pass Hereford, head From a height of 2,000 feet the photos are in the can. keep an eye on and asks for Ross-on-Wye and and looking through the Now we can go home. me to read out the Mitcheldean should be over camera view finder I have Hope Marfin knows the reference numbers. So, that hill somewhere. difficulty in making it out way back..." Fine start in finisher area HERE WAS a blitz in goods that had no business building 3/1, just to be there!); and no visual before the summer process fiow. Tshutdown. That was when, Product assembly having been fired up by the manager Steve Pomeroy training session given by Rob Piersielak (MQT&P, Webster), a team embarked on a QuickJlT project (the department's first) focussing on the 5047 finisher. Above: (I. lo r.) Hob IJattoii, Hichard QuickJIT (a registered Indrews and Andrew llithers sort out killing matters. Left: Discussing material trademark of Xerox Jlow requirements are Fred Powell, Corporation) is, as Rob \eill Hales, John Stafford and Nick Farr. explained, a focussed, five- day, cross-functional team problem-solving process with a 'just do it' mentality. ha\g selected the area as a actual process, identified the But, by eliminating waste, It invoh es a relentless attack suitable case for treatment, deltas, considered they succeeded in achieving on waste through employee Richard Andrews (MED) suggestions for improvement a shorter process time with involvement by way of the was appointed project and set our objectives. BulTer less downtime awaiting rapid generation of ideas and leader, and a team was stock was set up beforehand material, less walking real-time implementation of elected consisting of and requirements such as between areas and better improvements. operators Rob Hatton and tooling ordered. material flow. After some pre-work Fred Powell with their "We began carrying out "You really get results activities (identifying the section manager Nick Farr, the blitz on 18 July, and for a when you have a dedicated deltas, deciding on the material processor John while the section looked a team," said Richard, and objectives), there's a five-day Stafford and IP Andrew real shambles!" The team Fred commented: "It was implementation blitz and a Withers. They had the relaid out the line, re- our first experience of 30-day follow-up. support of training ofiiccr utilising racking and QuickJIT and we can now The finisher sub assembly Andy Allan, Steve Dolton benches and providing see the potential." area had been the subject of (then mid volume technical necessary labelling, etc. Since the blitz, further various concerns voiced by & quality manager) and Neil I "There was more acUons concerning stock operators. There were Bales, materials section involved than we had at first level control, toting, display problems with the manager. thought," Rob told us. "This material and so on have movement of material; Explained Richard: "We is quite a complicated been carried out to complete housekeeping was poor; had two afternoon sessions process - as well as building the project, and more there was overstocking of of pre-work in late June the finishers, we have to kit QiiickJIT projects are parts (and some dumping of when we overviewed the them up." planned in the department. IS TRANSFER from some beating." Berry Hill to He went up Table Gloucester RFC last Mountain by cable car, Hspring brought Lee visited a vineyard (Lee Osborne, a planner-analyst rated the wine "good stuff"), ill asset management, the played golf and shopped in chance to visit South Africa Cape Town where they with them in August. stayed the whole two weeks. In the two w ceks there, "The pound is very strong the squad played four against the rand - it's only matches, in two of which 50p for a bottle of Pi Is," he fly-half Lee played - the said. first versus Hamiltons RFC One afternoon they and the last against watched a match between Stellenbosch University, the Western Province and largest club in the world Orange Free State at with some 1,200 members. Newlands, the ground "It was a very successful where South Africa played tour, Gloucester winning and beat England in the three of the four matches," summer. Lee told us. "We trained "Rugby is South Africa's every morning and had national sport. The set-up is most afternoons free for very different from ours, sightseeing. I'm used to with provincial sides which beautiful scenery here at are equivalent to our home, but that took divisional championships, and the standard of playing is very high. Above left: Promotion for Xerox at Newlands. Left: Lee relaxes "We also gave coaching with a different sport against a to about 300 township kids background of the Table - they were tremendously Mountain and DeviVs Peak. keen." 5 D 3 j; »)1 They get the water back into the wash UST OVER a vear ago, the "last of the Jozone-depleting degreasers in parts manufacturing was replaced by an aqueous wash. All four environ• mentally friendly wash plants were then linked up by a 400-metre network of stainless steel overhead pipes to a system of tanks installed in the former swarf bay. The cocktail of Sclting tlw membrane back pressure in tht water, oil, cleaning reverse osmosis system is engineer Keith chemicals and II it Hams. contaminants from the outgoing pipes was at that time being tankered away, a costly operation. ing m. "Today," says engineer Roger Imm, "we have an ail visib effluent treatment F YOU want an overvlew of system that not only the total network, or wish to enables the water to I focus on an individual wash be recycled back plant, all you need do is press into the wash the right keys and it appears system, but also on a PC screen with colourful retains most of the graphics. chemical content." Centrally located alongside The necessary the main gangway, this Ming plant was recently Graphics system monitors the installed for us by two Ecovvash plants (one in North West Water the frame w eld cell, the other Acumem (yes, we the final wash in the low mass have spelt it right!). fuser roll cell), the multi-stage Now operational, it Engineer Roger Imm adjusts the membrane operation pressure in the rinse ultrasonic wash plant and the is expected to provide water microfiltration system. Marr wash plant. annual savings from has ways of dealing with membranes in the pipes) The display for the multi• reduction of chemical both types. takes place to remove the stage wash is particularly eye• purchases, and reduction of The dirty effluent passes chemical content and the catching, showing as it does effluent disposal, totalling through microfiltration result is 'pure water'. the five tanks and indicating an estimated £64,816. w hich kicks out the oil and This too is recycled back where the basket holding the Each of the aqueous contaminants for disposal, to the wash plants and the rolls is currently taking a dip. wash plants has two releasing the water and total sludge from both outputs of effluent. One chemical into a clean tank. effluents, in very much comes from the initial, dirty Here it gets a top-up of reduced volumes, is wash and carries oil and chemical to the required tankered away. contaminants along with level before being piped Apart from the savings the chemical content of the back to the wash plants. to us, this development is water. The rinse effluent goes good news for the The rinse effluent is very into another microffltration environment. much cleaner, although it system which takes out still has some chemical most of the oil. The content and a small resulting low chemical and amount of oil in the water. water mixture then goes Right Operator Ernie Priest The new microfiltration through a second filtration gets an overview of the wash system, installed on a where 'reverse osmosis' plant network on the Ming platform in the swarf bay, (filtering through porous Graphics monitor. 1 ,1 D ® D mum - g

Having carried out ligliting RPM of these motors, thus cutting scliemes tJiroughout tiie plant to energy consumption, and still Inverters bring reduce energy consumption, meet the prescribed extract and vvorlis engineering are currently flow rate requirements of the concentrating on electronic various applications. controls known as inverter "We put in 14 ABR systems big savings packages. during the summer shutdown "We already ha\ inverters on and commissioned them," Phil some machine tools, but this is Townsend told us. "There is the first instance of using them interlinking with existing on our extract and pump controls so, should an inverter systems," explained John Lew is, package 'fall down', we can who has been leading the project revert to the pre\ious way of with Phil Townsend, Julian operation." Shufflebotham, works IniUal savings in energy cost engineering tradesmen, Ian arc 20 per cent at this stage. Blethyn and D&C and paint shop Savings will be greater in the personnel. winter because there will be less In air blast booths the heat being drawn out of the extractor fan draws toner off to a building; another spin-off will be a reducfion in maintenance. "We're looking for £36,000 payback in 1.4 years, but 1 reckon we will exceed that," said John. The inverter package will /'(//;;/ s/iop opcraliir I'cic II illiiiins says: "ll's a lot quieter permit a wide range of options to now." Right: Electrician Simon Mayo touches an inverter be incorporated. The next phase keypad to check the speed of a paint line e.rtrewtor fan motor. will be to fit presence-detector HE FIRST night systems which will reduce the back after the motor speed to zero in the shutdown, I absence of the operator, thus ikes it waTs called to a booth making the savings even more in dismantle & clean significant. because they didn't Since the motor can reach e think the extractor fan maximum level in seconds, The colours are very logical w as working - they there's no delay in starting up too. When the dirty chemical couldn't hear the usual sound," filter; in wash booths it removes again. wash is being emptied from maintenance electrician Simon vapours; in the paint line, The Energy Reduction Team the plant, the image of the pipe Mayo told us. airborne particles are extracted. continue to look for further concerned turns brown; when This reduction in ambient These extract systems are opportunities both within and fresh chemical is coming in, noise level was a surprise benefit now big savers. Until recently the outside building 3. the pipe goes a light blue. in the latest of the Energy motors, which have to match "For example, we are testing "It's a diagnostic aid which Reduction Team's inifiatives. each individual piece of some of the process parameters has already proved very RXMP is one of the biggest equipment, were operating at a which have been in existence for useful," says Roger. electricity users in the Forest of fixed, and over-rated, speed. many years to see if there can be When a fault occurs, the Dean and building 5 is the By installing inverters, it has even more savings in energy," screen flashes a red alert and biggest user on site. proved possible to reduce the John told us. you hear a bleep. The location of the problem can then be quickly pinpointed. r For example, when a valve Fast set is closed it goes red on the monitor; when open it goes green. If it goes clear, then it's raise £500 ANTING TO help clear which valve needs to be Rwanda refugees, corrected! WBarbara Bevan (control department) decided to carry out a sponsored 24- bour fast. She circulated a sponsorship form and invited From left: Debbie. Barbara, (ieoff. .hisie and Deeiui. others to join her. Debbie Jones (EMC), hot and I w as drinking so much things harder for her. Deena Wear and Josie Jenkins water, I didn't feel it too badly," For Geoff, an ex-RX quality (GBAS) volunteered, so did said Barbara. engineer, it presented no liarbara's brother-in-law, Josie and Deena brought in problem - "I'm always in need Geoff Nash, who works in the w ater stored in a freezer bag and of a fast!" he told us RX Document Technology drank four or five pints each "but cheerfully. Centre in building 9. we both had a craving for coffee!" Thanks to sponsors and The fast started on the Being in the controlled sufferers, the target of £300 evening of 26 July - only environment of the EMC, Debbie was reached and Barbara was water being allowed. It was had to go into the canteen w hen happy to send off a cheque for tougher the following day at she wanted a drink. There, seeing the Rwanda Emergency work "but because it was so people enjoying food just made Appeal. It's an exciting business HERE'S AN American company until 1991, when he gaining productivity through inflection in his way of joined us to take up the newly sysleiTis," he says. talking but "I'm definitely created post of project manager Simon's leisure-time TRrifish," says Simon Andrews within EMC. activities provide a complete (EMC project manager). "My brief is to look at how contrast to all this high-tech Born in England, he was just we can use systems to improve involvement. He attends four years old when he our productivity," he told us. woodwork classes in Ross-on- travelled across the 'pond' in His iTiain responsibilities lie Wye, where he and his family the Queen Elizabeth / and he with the BoardWatch project, a now live, with a view to didn't return unfil 1976 when suite of computer programs for making furniture "such as pine his family left North Carolina. monitoring and controlling the bookcases. I've just mastered Ry that Ume, he had quality of PWBAs. the dovetail joint," he was completed his high school "It helps us find out where proud to report. education and acquired a trans- and how defects are being He enjoys sailing, though Atlanfic accent. This underwent introduced. The 'how' is a bit w ith three young children - some anglicising at Bristol tricky and we have to use all Ennly aged six, Samuel who is Polytechnic (now the Eniversity our engineering resources to four and two-year-old Owen - of West of England) where he detect and correct it. thai pursuit has had to be put took an engineering course, "At present we're working Simon Anclreim on hold. "But we're teaching focussing on the use of modern on the 'top ten' boards - the them to swim in preparation for technology in manufacturing, ones that give us most when they are old enough." and gained a BSc. problems and are of most value board-markuig process Simon not only likes to sail During his industrial to the business," said Simon. whereby a machine will apply boats; he likes to construct training year of the course, he "We can now track faulty a pre-printcd barcode label and them too - radio-controlled returned to the USA to work as boards to the actual minute Inkjet the identification directly ones, that is, but now that has a manufacturing systems when they were assembled and on to a board. The barcode will given way to building analyst trainee in a plant in soldered and can see patterns be logged into the database and cardboard castles for the Duncan, Oklahoma, and that in the yield." hold the key to information children. gave the American accent a BoardWatch is really paying collected about it. He and his wife Ruth, who chance to regain lost ground. off. Eor example, "By Simon liaises with IM on used to run a nursery school, But since 1983 the understanding the quality EMC's behalf, overseeing a like to spend their holidays In anglicising processs has problems, we have been able to number of end-user computer Cornwall w ith the family continued and a compromise improve 5317 board yield from projects. He and his team have 'under canvas'. "We've been seems to have been reached! 30 to 70 per cent," he told us. just automated the generation camping seriously for about Eor four years after gaining "We shall grow the system of the RPP (rolling production three years now." his degree Simon was a by providing quality feedback - plan). He does have one interest, research associate in computer- giving Individuals information "It used to involve coping however, which involves a aided manufacturing involving that will enable them to avoid with a thick wad of tabulation - board and a computer. "Every robotics and CNC programming quality problems on hand a very tedious exercise. By Christmas we have family techniques at Bristol. assembly and soldering." automating this, we have saved chess competitions," Simon told His first job was as manu• Up to now, barcode labels three people days per period. us. "My w ife's three brothers facturing systems engineer w ith have had to be stuck on boards "1 find electronics an all play the game and I need to Dupont Electronics in that city, by hand. But Simon is currentiy exciting business to be part of- raise my standard, so I'm and he remained with the managing the introduction of a there is so much potential for getting in some practice!"

^"^^3^ Great tour de Lille ROUND 3AM on 'international' he Friday, 2 should have a FIFA September, a badge. Amiinbus left Ross-on- On the Saturday Wye, carrying 15 people night we went to Lille from across the plant. centre by tram, where Bound for Lille, they the 'Braderie' bars and had been invited to play stalls stay open all in the site's inter• w eekend until Sam departmental football Monday. tournament. Ray Hesk 'f he w eekend was (customisation) who certainly memorable. organised things this Mark Stewart fell on his side tells the story: hand (twice) while "We were met by playing for Mil II and .lean-Noel Hautefeuille liad his arm put in who showed us to our Members of the Mitcheldean squad and their hosts. plaster. hotel and - on behalf of Three lads fell in RX Lille - paid for one of our difference. Mit II played five At the end we were love in Lille and one went two nights' stay. After a meal games in their group, winning presented with a large cup for down on bis knees and in the canteen we toured the i, drawing 1 and losing 3. being the first team outside Lille proposed marriage, but the plant and then watched their Thanks lo our host's liquid to enter and a smaller cup for girl turned him down. first two games in the sports hospitality, when Mit 1 played 4th place, and every player We were given a great centre. their semi-final we lost to the received a football shirt and time by all the French and On Saturday, Mit I team tournament winners 3-0, and shorts. made to feel part of their set• played six games, four in the after we had played for 3rd and One member of our parly up, and we'd like to thank group matches - winning 3, 4th place our legs would not or did get into the final - Tony Jean-Noel and his committee drawing 1, so was lop equal could not run any faster or Prolliero. He refereed the game for all they did to make our on points but second on goal longer! and reckoned that as it was an stay so enjoyable." We win interplant cup IITCIIELDEAN HAS individually called to once again won tiie receive their engraved I Haggett Interplant Cup, pewter tankard. its first victory since 1982 and Other Mitcheldean sixth in total. prizes were: best all day On the 21st occasion of the score - Dave James; best competition, hosted this year by afternoon score - Steve Welw yn GC at the John Cooper; nearest pin, O'Gaunt club, Sandy, 16th hole-Wilf Jones Bedfordshire, the Mitcheldean (108 inches); and longest 'A' side were victorious over drive, 18th hole - Mark eight other teams, including a Barnard. second side from RXMP, three Team scores w ere as from Welwyn, tw o from follows: Marlow, Xerox Engineering Mitcheldean 'A'- Systems and Rank Xerox Mark Barnard 32/31, International. Each team Hugh Colby 32/27, Steve consisted of six players with the Cooper 29/36, Graham best four cards counting, Beach 30/24, Dave The champion 'A' team (from left) Phil Mitchell, Graham Hcarli. morning and afternoon. Mark Barnard, Steve Cooper and Dave James. (Hugh Colb^ /ras on James 32/37, Phil The competition was played holiday when the photo was taken.) Mitchell 26/29. on the championship course, Mitcheldean 'B' - Jeremv which offered numerous separating the five teams, few The Mitcheldean 'B' team Barnard 25/28, Wilf Jones 31/33, challenging holes, setting a could recall such close improved in the afternoon, Andy Cosgrove 28/31, Tim stern test of golf for all competition at the halfw ay scoring 124 points, VVilf Jones Beale 23/14, Mike Cooper 22/32, competitors. point, and the winnning team in particular contributing well Steve Ward 27/20. This, together with the hot, w ould need one or two good with 33 points. With formal proceedings dry conditions which, although cards in the afternoon to edge With Mitcheldean 'A' over, it would have been nice shortening the course, also away. victorious on 259 points, to celebrate the victory with made accuracy a necessity, Mitcheldean 'A' were Welwyn GC 'B' upstaged their fellow competitors. However, suited Mitcheldean 'A' players, fortunate enough to have tvvo 'A' side and took the runners-up a long drive home ahead for the a side consisting essentially of team members who hit form in slot with 252 points to the 'A' Mitcheldean teams made an low handicaps. the afternoon - Steve Cooper side's third place with 249 immediate departure more After the first 18 holes. Rank witli 36 points and Dave James points. sensible. Xerox International were just in (5047 asseinbly) with 37 points There were many prizes on The good news - well, front with 128 points, followed including a birdie, birdie, par, offer for individual and team further good news - is that, as by Mitcheldean 'A'-126, Marlow birdie finish to his round. performances, and Mitcheldean holders, Mitcheldean will host 'A'-125, WGC 'B'-124 and XES- Together with two more steady virtually made a 'clean sweep'. the 1995 competition and invite 123. The Mitcheldean 'B' side cards, the 'A' team were able to Society captain Jeremy challengers to visit a suitable were at this point in seventh set a points total which no other Barnard accepted the Haggett location, much closer to home. position on 111 points. team could match, scoring 133 in Trophy on behalf of the 'A' team M.A.B. With only five points the afternoon - 259 points in all. and team members were ike does a Houdini act AST SPRING Mitcheldean's pleasure boat Wilton Castle II, ahead and manacled Mike was magician/illusionist Mike accompanied by a pack of press and lifted into the murky waters. Barnard diced with death in a TV hounds. People held their breath - so did Lgame of Russian rouleUe with Uve The boat cruised to Wilton Mike - but within 30 seconds he bullets. Now he's plumbed new Bridge, turned and anchored had surfaced, triumphantly depths of danger. midstream opposite the funfair, holding aloft his loosened chains Chained and weighted down, where a large crowd had gathered for all to see and earning loud he was dropped in the rj\er Wye on the bank. applause. on Sunday, 7 August, recreating a As excitement mounted, there A hopeful reporter asked him stunt performed bv Houdini in was an unscheduled incident on how he'd done it. "Can you keep 1912. board which might easily have a secret?" asked Mike. "Yes," It was all part of the Ross created the dramatic spectacle of not said the reporter, pencil poised. Lions Fun Day & Duck Race, with just Mike but the whole boatload "So can 1!" was Mike's smart Mike getting a ducking, and it going into the water. reply. provided a climax to Ross The media had closed in on The message over the PA Carnival Week. Mike on the starboard side, all eager wisely warned that no one People watched as his to get a close-up of him and the two should attempt a similar stunt Spellbound' assistant Jane divers from Ross Diving Club who without proper precautions. As Johnstone secured the chains with were standing by on 'emergency \like told us later, it had called padlocks and manacled his hands rescue' duty. Suddenly a worried for lots of practice - in a friend's and his feet together on the jetty skipper yelled: "You'll have the boat swimming pool - for about 18 outside the Hope & Anchor Inn. over!" and the weight of the press months. Vher some young lads had helped had to be redistributed quickly to get The effort was well worth to check the locks were secure, back on an even keel. while. It raised a total of £347 Mike hobbled on board the The planned speetaele then w ent (including £50 donated by RXMP) for (he Imperial Cancer Research Fund. And Mike was Mike is securely chained. Below: He holds up his loosened chains. feaUired three dmes the following day on ITV Central South as well as in national and local newspapers. Nicknamed Merlin by his mates in 5047 assembly, electrician Vlike is now planning ^7 something even more electrilying for his next act 30 years production control) and his and 4000 family electrical systems, We found Keith Ellmore daughter Lisa. and was a member of the resident honing his skill on the ERRY ANNIS remembers "It's exactly 150 miles from my team in the USA from '73 to '78, Intergraph CAD system. "I've it well. "It was a Tuesday, gate to the gates of the Coventry bringing back the 3600 into done a few designs on it," he 23th August, when 1 City Ground," says Geoff. Mitcheldean. "It w as our first told us. "This is a fabulous Tjoined as a shop boy in goods Lisa, who works for the Land programme to be launched piece of equipment with inwards inspection." Registry, was married last July; simultaneously with Webster." infinite possibilities." He had an opportunity to Paul is a computer programmer Following work on the 9000 A product engineer in become an inspection trainee with IBM - in Salt Lake City. family (including the FX9300), Mel harness assembly, he reckons and as such experienced the became assembly QA manager on he's had about five different whole range of inspection Christine Aston has kept CBA and refurbishing. Two years jobs in his quarter century. He activity across the plant. account of pounds, and parts, all later he took up the post of quality came as an electro/mechanical Having qualified as an her 30 years. She started in the manager of the small copier inspector on the 3600 and, inspector, he then was given accounts department, w orking first operation in building 4 which later, the 4000 family. the option to choose where he on the bought ledger; for the next involved two trips to Japan on Going on to night shift, he wanted lo work. "I chose goods 14 years she was employed in the quality issues. somehow managed to combine inwards inspection and I've cashier's office where, working 1986 saw him managing the this with studying for an ONC been with the department ever with long-serv er Marion Cornwall, overall technical co-ordination in (electrical). V\e still on mid since. Every day is different she dealt with matters ranging ROS (it was during this time that volume machines he became and I really enjoy the work." a technician, then a rehability Promoted to senior leading technician, after which he hand this year, Terry carries joined quality engineering, out inspection plus clerical his sole responsibility being work, and is co-ordinator for electrical components in goods the ominous-sounding inwards inspection. multinational purges - 1981 saw him move into necessary to root out faulty production engineering on the parts problems. 9000 family and, while in this He has carried out offsite job, he assisted SQA in visiting assignments at UK suppliers on suppliers both in the UK and various occasions. The longest Germany. and most distant was several Most of his work has months spent at Preston, Lanes. centi-ed on harnesses and, His sister, Esme Cox, is one as a member of the harness of the materials team in asset technical team, his main management. Unlike her, Terry responsibility today is for the is not a dedicated follower of 3100 programme. He went to Berry Hill RFC - "Football and the USA some five years ago skittles are my sports, to bring this work back for especially skittles." He plays for manufacture at Mitcheldean, the Aquatics from Broadwell -I 30-year trio - (I. to r.) Teny Annis, Geoff IVilliams and Christine then on to Lille plant. Club and follows football on TV Aston. He and bis wife Heather or at local clubs. have a son of 18, Michael, who Terry has tw o sons - James, from travel and expenses to the he led the project team that set up works for a local plastics 19, who has just passed his A- senior payroll. the silk-screen facility in building company. It w as through levels and Edward, 16, who is Christine greatly enjoyed the 5). A kev activitv was the test and Michael that Keith, a former . still at school. job as it brought her into contact repair o'f PWBAs and by 1990 Mel Scout leader, w as draw n back with so many people - "though all was back in building 4, this time into the movement, and today The first time Geoff I could see of most of them was as EIBC quality manager. Since he is not only leader of the 1st \ViIlianis came to work at their faces through the hatch." then the updating of the quality Ruardean Group but also Ylitcheldean, in production When the cashiering function systems has led to EMC being assistant district commissioner control, he was here for just was phased out, she transferred to added to the Mitcheldean for the Scouts in the Royal nine months. production stores administration registration for BS5750. Forest of Dean. Then, after four years with in the supply centre. "The emphasis is now on total "I've done a good deal of AEI at Lydbrook, he returned About three years ago came quality; by that we are talking walking and climbing around as storeman and progress another transfer - to interconnects about a continuous drive for the British Isles and I've chaser and stayed a bit longer - where she records the movement improvement not just in recentiy been involved in two and a half years. of outgoing finished harness conformance but also in cost," organising the Forest MaraUion That was followed by some assemblies, generating barcodes says Mel. (a night navigational exercise) nine months w ith British Nylon for the boxes they travel in to Nostalgia features strongly for the Scolds," Keith told us. Spinners in Gloucester before countries as far distant as Mexico among his hobbies: restoring a He's also been seen, he settled at Mitcheldean for and Brazil. '60s Mini; working on his 17th wreathed in smoke, running the third and much the longest She has served on the LSA century cottage; philately (Gt. barbecues or otherwise helping time - 30 years, in fact. committee for about eight years Britain only) and a rather unusual at fund-raising events for the He joined the quality and "I love the work," she says. interest - collecting old Cheltenham Cobalt Unit. function as an assembly "With the summer outing to telephone equipment. inspector on 813 machines Torquay behind us, the next item A member of the (our first small copier) and on the agenda is the Christmas Telecommunications Heritage subsequentiy on most models. party." Group, he's the proud owner of For the past ten years or so, Christine met her husband Ken a renovated telephone he's been on inspection in the when he worked in purchasing exchange; some Bakelite paint shop. His nephew, department. They live in a bit of instruments and even an Graham Powell, is a section Mitcbeldean's industrial past - a original one dating from manager in harness assembly, cottage which once housed a nail- around 1900 are also part of just across the road. making business - and both like his collection. Geoff s main leisure-time gardening, though she insists that He and his wife Ann (a activity is following Coventry it is Ken who does all the work. professional confectioner) have City (better known as the Sky two sons - Phillip who is an Blues), and he's been loyal to electronics engineer working them ever since his son Paul 25 years on pollution monitoring and went to college in Coventry Apprenticed with a company Kevyn, a trainee electrical some 12 years ago. called Aerox, Mel Alder made engineer. Though no longer a season more than an 'initial' change when ticket holder, he still goes to he later joined RXMP's design engineering function. matches with his wife Doreen Keith Ellmore and (right) Mel (she too once worked in He worked on the 3600 sorter Alder, both 2S-year men. 10 Coleford to Gloucester in nine camp is obvious but there are minutes (in the rush hour!). sfill three more days' racing. There are some 250 of us Race day two and the mechanics in the pit, plus a Singles class takes place; this is huge scoreboard giving each an event for single cylinder rider's position and speed, motorcycles in which Jason is which is operated by the local riding a 680 Yamaha. This is Scouts. the least competitive of the A pit slop is required every bikes and the one of unknown two laps which lasts about 40 mechanical reliability. seconds; good teamwork is x\ the end of the first lap he essential - you can gain or lose is lying in an excellent sixth 20 to 30 seconds in a stop. place and by the end of the The three of us carry out a race is up lo third. A rostrum very practised process. 1 give finish in only his third TT is a the lap signals (holding up a superb result. board showing the rider his On day three both Jason position), change the rear tyre, and Chris are out in the 250 check the chain and do race and for Jason the result is adjustments. a carbon copy Another of the Singles refuels the race, bike (safety is improving Operations support is Colin Yamaha for riders Jason of paramount from sixth to Price's role in EMC. It's also Griffiths and Chris Harris (both concern - finish third for a role he rulfils when he from Gwent). there's 1,000 a second spends two weeks early in Eormer Manx Grand Prix gallons of fuel rostrmn the summer on the Isle of w inner Jason is looking to for use and the position. Chris Man. But the operations improve upon last year's brace bikes arrive meanwhile has then are noisy, smelly and of fourth places, whilst for extremely hot). a steady ride to far removed from the Chris this is his first TT, but he Our third man finish a clinical cleanliness of has competed successfully in ensures the respectable building 4. For Colin the MGP for the last 16 years. right tools are 18th place in organises the pit crew who Practice goes smoothly available; he his first TT. ensure the TT bikes are except for when the large fuel cleans the bike And so to kept on the move. tank made for the 600 arrives, screen and the Friday, the last only to prove too deep and rider's visor race day in a 'M NOT sure what it is: a block off the air supply into the and gives him hccfic fortnight. passion, a religion or a drug. carburettors, preventing the a drink. The only event Bui 50,000 people double the engine from running. So it's off Then, after is the Blue Ipopulation of the Isle of Man lo the local welder lo have two a push, the Riband 'Senior' for a fortnight every year when inches cut off the bottom of it. bike is off back Colin Price holding one of Ihe race for bikes they attend the TT (Tourist By the end of five days of on the track. TT championship replicas which up to 1,000 cc. Trophy) races. practice, Jason is the fifth The first of Jason won. Jason is out on Since 1960, I have only fastest in the Eormula One four race days the Kawasaki missed two years' racing. My and eighth fastest in both the arrives, the inifial event being and hoping to make up for the wife, who is Manx, and I met at singles and 250 class (day 2 the El race. Unfortunately the Fl showing. the TT and we lived on the saw him become the fastest- whole day becomes a washout The race goes really well island for several years. Racing ever Kawasaki rider at 118 as w ilhin five minutes of the and after 220 miles of racing he is in the family blood, with my mph). Meanwhile Chris is start, lorrenfial rain leaves the finishes a superb fifth place. father having been in the 25th in the 250 due to circuit awash and, since the So it's all over - two weeks motorcycle trade for over suspension problems. The size majority of the competitors are of motorcycling mayhem. 40 years. of each class varies between 80 on slick tyres, the race is Oh well, only 50 weeks to So to 1994 - two trucks, five to 100 riders. stopped after just two laps and go fill next year! bikes, two riders and three The TT circuit is 37^4 miles is rescheduled for the next day. Colin Price mechanics make the nine-hour long and the roads are similar Jason starts well and, at the overnight trip by motorway to those in the Eoresl; the first time check, is lying sixth; and ferry. current lap record is 123.6 mph however, inajor disappoint• This year our bikes consist (18 mins 18 sees) set in 1992 ment is ahead and after just 20 Superbike of two 1993 ex-works 750 by former world Eormula One miles the engine blows and our kawasakis, two 250 TZ champion Carl Fogarly - that's race is over. sponsors Yamahas and a 600 'single' the equivalent of going from The disappointment in the ILLIONS OF fans around the world who have been watching this year's Superbike World Championship Series, which opened at Donington Park last 20 years May, can't fail to note the Xerox brand name on certain bikes and riders. Fuji Xerox has made sure of wide publicity in the media Recent recipients of 20-ycar by sponsoring the 1993 series awards (I. to r.) Dave Poyner champion racing team of (works engineering), Keith Kawasaki Industries, one of Wilding (MRT), Sally Meek EX's largest customers, whose (human resources), Tony superbikers are competing in Eveleigh (export), Dave countries ranging from Ireland (convenience copiers) Australia to Argentina, and .Jeff Hawkins (asset striving for a successive managenwnt). championship. ® A/Lrerf team winners One's II onders. 2) Sandra's Girls ladies winners. 7) Mixed team runners-up. Ace Finn.. EMC Sinners, ladies runners- up. ® Top scorers Gordon Cruickshank, Dave Robinson, Kevin Williams with Larry Sterrett. ® John Gumey, the mixed team copUiins and organisers Richard Andrews and Dave Lea. © TIte Cutters.

HE NUMBER of entries Douglas) with a score of 177 to the Gordon Cruickshank of Ace Finn achieved in the current format for ttie 1993/94 Rank Sinners' 158. (finance). of the competition. Xerox Business Park The Wooden Spoon for the The same two teams then While John Gurney, Sports Tinterdepartmental skittles least successful teams contest was batUed it out for the championship. & Social Club chairman, did the eompetition was down on last fought over by The Cutters from It was the night of 100 pins for honours on the 13th, Larry year's, but there was no the wiring floor (led by Gordon Dave - he scored 59, with a 17 and Sterrett, a member of the Forest shortage of fighting spirit. Davis) and Blobby's Boys (captain a 12 spare, making a major of Dean Skitties League Instead of the usual Tim Beale), the large item of contribution to the total 242 scored committee, presented the prizes Saturdays, the competition wooden cuflery going to The by captain Richard Wood's team of on the 20th. finals took place on two Cutters who beat their opponents Wonders. This last season there were Wedesday evenings in July. 221-195. With a score of 229, Ace Finn more than the usual problems It was 'ladies first' and the A week later, on 20 July, came became bridesmaids for the third to contend with in organising 'best of the worst' on the 13th. the bowl-off of the top 12 scorers time in four years, their captain the interdepartmental With five-a-side teams, the and the finals of the mixed team Ellen Baldwin proving their top competition, and Larry ladies' competition was played event which had attracted 35 scorer with 46 with a 12 spare. extended thanks to all who took Round Robin style, ending with entries. The overall top scorer in the part, and to Richard Andrews a bowl-off for top scorers. In the bowl-off, Dave Robinson, tournament was Kevin Williams, and Dave Lea (who each Sandra's Giris (captained by a member of the One's Wonders who played for the Leftovers insisted that the other had done Sandra Lusty) defeated the (building 1) team, triumphed with (another building 1 team); bis most of the work!). EMC Sinners (fed by Lyn 41, putting him one pin ahead of score of 61 was the highest ever

daughters. A very close thing CllITord James on 8 August Obituaries aged 67. He joined us in mid HEN LAST vear a We won the skitties and WE REGRET to report the deaths 1978 and was working at our eontrol/GBAS team beat darts, but lost the snooker and of the following: Lvdney plant w1ien he left in late Wour company bankers crashed on the quiz (Dave Lea Derek Shuttlewortli on 1 1983. ' Nat\t in their annual pub acting as quiz master with Pete August aged 50. A member of William Hatton on 9 August sports challenge, it all balanced Griffith's assistance). It all hinged the 5047 technical team, he had aged 72. He worked in transport out neatly, each side having w on on the pool event - and then that taken early retirement only a department and had completed three times in the six years it has resulted in a draw. "So we had to week earlier. Derek was a 11 years' service by the time he been held. go to a deciding game of pool. It dedicated cyclist and it was left" in 1983. This year's event, held on was quite exciting - just the while on a cycling holiday that Edward Matthews on 20 5 July, brought some 75 people black was left at the end," said a tragic accident resulted in his August aged 61. He, too, worked into the clubhouse, and the organiser Brian Chelu. But we death. He w as a member of Ross- in transport and left in 1983 after outcome was anyone's guess. finallv beat the bank. on-Wye & District Cycling Club 15 years' sen ice. for 27 years and its secretary for Peter Ellis on 24 August aged about ten. He had been at 64. He joined us in 1977 and left Bonanza for all Mitcheldean for 26 years, after five years, having been NTIL RECENTLY only members can now have up to travelUng to work and back by employed as a progress chaser. company employees or four sets of numbers instead bike every day in all w'eathers. Roy Thomas on 30 August ex-employees could join of two. Starting as a draughtsman, he aged 49. He was with us for Uin the monthly iionanza draw. If you want to join, or want became a design engineer, then nearly 16 years and was working a product engineer, working on Now" it's open to any member to know how to increase your every mid and high volume in convenience copiers when he of the Sports & Social Club. sets of numbers, contact Rene model we have made. He leaves left last year. In addition. Bonanza Histed on ext. 2287. a wife, Valerie, and two

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