The Link Issue 6 The newsletter from the UK’s leading supplier of MRO products and services Strategic fluid power Foreword 2011 is a year we are looking forward to with cautious optimism. As all areas of partnership announced manufacturing look set for growth, the sector is once again forecast to outperform the rest of the economy, as was seen in 2010. That doesn’t mean manufacturing industry can rest on its laurels. Manufacturers face an almost unprecedented set of performance improvement challenges and those companies who continue to innovate and maximise operational efficiency will be the ones that succeed in the post-recession manufacturing economy. In this issue of The Link we will be focusing on the crucial role a planned approach to Group Chief Executive of Brammer, Ian Fraser (left) with Charly Saulnier, President – Europe, the Middle East maintenance and asset management can and Africa for Parker Hannifin play in optimising plant performance. A strategic partnership agreement has been announced between Brammer and Parker Hannifin, David Strydom, editor of Food Processing, the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies. provides a further insight into asset management in our ‘Straight Talk’ feature The agreement is designed to significantly extend the support and product availability to on the back page. customers throughout the fluid power sector and to target growth in key MRO markets. We will also be celebrating some highlights Ian Ritchie, Managing Director of Brammer UK, explained: “This is an exciting development as of 2010. The annual Brammer Manufacturing the economy returns to growth. There is a natural synergy between our two companies in the Forum and Awards took place October MRO sector, with Parker’s extensive product portfolio being complemented by our specialised and was a huge success – for a full report knowledge of distribution.” on the seminars, awards and attendees see page three. Charly Saulnier, President – Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Parker Hannifin added: “This partnership will enable us to benefit from Brammer’s international expertise, while giving Brammer On behalf of all the team at Brammer I would fast access to our extensive portfolio of fluid power technologies. For our customers in the MRO like to extend our best wishes for a continued sector this will result in even higher levels of service and support, and will enhance our ability to manufacturing led recovery in 2011. help them increase the productivity, efficiency and profitability of their business operations.” “Together, we have the ability both to deliver an exceptional range of advanced fluid power technologies, backed by fast and efficient product supply and technical service facilities, and to give customers crucial ongoing support as the economy begins to return to growth.” Ian Ritchie Managing Director Ian Ritchie, Managing Director Brammer UK. www.brammer.co.uk Latest news A toast to contract success A major contract to supply a full range which would offer significant added value, of MRO products to brewing and distilling well beyond simply saving costs on giant Diageo has been clinched by Brammer individual components. following a highly competitive process Tony McCartney, Supplier Performance involving several MRO suppliers. Manager at Diageo, explained: “Brammer’s The deal covers 37 facilities in Scotland, response in the opening months of this four in Northern Ireland, and the packaging, venture has been fantastic. Their expertise canning and bottling plant at Runcorn in sourcing and technical know-how, in Cheshire. strengthened by the network of industry experts at its disposal, gives us a real Brammer won the contract based on its ability opportunity to reduce our operating to offer a complete partnership approach, costs significantly.” Brammer goes to Iceland An ethical Brammer has confirmed its commitment The team is led by Managing Director, approach to its growing customer base in Iceland Michael Wallwork, who prior to joining with the formation of a dedicated Brammer in early 2010, spent more than Brammer has confirmed its ethical business Icelandic subsidiary. 15 years in senior management across approach by achieving membership of an various roles in global engineering. With a independent organisation for companies Based in Reykjavik, Brammer Island ehf is Masters and Bachelors degree in Business committed to the continuous improvement of geared to supporting Brammer’s existing Management and Aerospace Engineering, the ethical performance of their supply chains. Icelandic customers in the metals sector Michael held general management positions SEDEX – the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange as well as developing new business at other in Canada, Germany and the UK before – is a not-for-profit membership organisation, large manufacturing facilities within the relocating to Iceland. metals, power generation and food sectors. based in London, but open to companies anywhere in the world. Brynn Woods, Purchasing & Distribution Director at Brammer UK, explained: “Many manufacturing customers now use ethical business practices as a key criterion in selecting MRO suppliers. “SEDEX membership provides independent recognition of our commitment to maintaining and furthering robust ethical practices in our supply chain – and a further guarantee to both existing and potential customers that Brammer operates ethically in all areas of its business.” 2 Alastair Campbell hosts annual Manufacturing Forum Two further thought-provoking seminars were Ian Ritchie, Managing Director of Brammer hosted by Alan France, Operations Director UK, explained: “Ironbridge and its history of of Idhammer Systems, on “Operational manufacturing and engineering innovation Excellence in Manufacturing, Maintenance & provided the perfect backdrop to a day Asset Management”, and Dr Keivan Zokaei of focused on the 21st century product and Warwick University on “Continuous Improvement service innovations required to drive the future in Procurement & Supply Chain Strategies”. competitiveness of UK manufacturing. The speaker programme preceded the “This year’s speaker programme was designed Brammer Awards lunch, hosted by Alastair to be both challenging and thought-provoking Campbell. The awards, now in their fourth in encouraging delegates to consider the Alastair Campbell, the former Labour year, recognise the importance of sustainability, commercial benefits achievable through spokesman and communications strategist, product and service innovation in delivering optimising their procurement, supply chain, was the host of the 2010 annual Brammer improved operational performance. maintenance and asset management strategies. Manufacturing Forum and Awards Lunch. The Award winners were as follows: “The Brammer Awards once again presented The event, held at the Ironbridge Gorge some very difficult decisions for the judging Museum and entitled ‘Manufacturing our • Sustainable Manufacturing – Unilever panel, with many strong entries based on Future’, was attended by more than 100 senior • Reduced Maintenance Award – significant business benefits achieved. delegates from all sectors of UK manufacturing. Rio Tinto Alcan We congratulate all the finalists and especially • Increased Production Uptime Award – The keynote address was given by Steve the winners who have demonstrated TATA Steel Radley, Director of Policy and External Affairs significant proactivity and innovation, at the manufacturers’ organisation EEF, • Business Process Improvement Award – working with Brammer and our strategic who explored the future for UK manufacturing Michelin supply partners, to improve their in the post-recession economy. • Supplier Management Award – Festo manufacturing operations.” Award success Ian Ritchie (right), Managing Director of Ian Ritchie commented: “As a major sponsor Brammer UK, presents Kevin Parkin (second of the awards, we are delighted to support left) and Duncan Hay (third left) of engineering The Manufacturer in its quest to demonstrate firm DavyMarkham with the Brammer that the UK manufacturing industry has sponsored Operations & Maintenance Award a resilient and vibrant future. at The Manufacturer Awards 2010 with guest speaker Lord Digby Jones (left). The annual “On behalf of Brammer I would like to event was attended by companies across all congratulate the team at DavyMarkham sectors of industry to highlight the diversity for their achievements and dedication and strength of UK manufacturing. to continuous improvement”. 3 The big topic The role of maintenance and asset management in optimising plant performance Brynn Woods, Purchasing & Distribution Director, Brammer UK As UK industry starts to experience a period efficiency whilst reducing operational costs. operated and well maintained, with of growth and demand continues to increase, If an efficient and reliable plant is the key vital spares available when needed and there is a feeling of cautious optimism and an driver of success, then the way in which a unscheduled downtime minimised. abounding sense of opportunity. This doesn’t company approaches its maintenance and This is brought firmly into focus by the fact mean that manufacturers can rest on their asset management strategy is critical. that unplanned production downtime can laurels – we still face an almost unprecedented Common objectives should be standardised throw manufacturing schedule adherence into set of performance improvement challenges in around typical metrics used by best-in-class disarray.