The Leading Manufacturing Excellence Learning Journey will provide business leaders with a unique insight into some of the UK’s most effective manufacturing operations. Building on the hugely successful SE leadership learning journeys, this will help you as a manufacturer understand “why” as well as “how” to create change and deliver improvements which make a lasting impact on your business.

Organisations that are focused on leading and sustaining excellence create cultures of continuous improvement and empower their people to create and deliver improvement opportunities. This leads to outstanding results delivering innovative new processes, products and services, profitable business growth and develops strong export opportunities. If you are looking to lead and embed excellence in your organisation then this learning journey is for you.

The key areas which will be explored during your 3 day learning journey are: leadership and cultural enablers, manufacturing and business excellence and strategic alignment across the business. You will return with the confidence and know how to raise your own ambition and a road map for change.

If you believe that you and your business will benefit from this learning journey please return the application form immediately as we anticipate a strong demand for the 15 places. A maximum of two places per business are available, with one application form per business required.

To make sure of the highest quality learning experience for all participants we can only accept applications from senior decision makers from manufacturing businesses with the ambition to grow, change and develop. Your company should be engaged with or willing to engage with SE/HIE to ensure all the learning translates into an ongoing road map and action plan.

To apply for your place(s) please complete this form and return to the SMAS Business Development Manager: by 8th April.

Key Diary Dates / Event
Thursday 1st May / Pre-learning journey breakfast session
Tuesday 20th May / Delegates arrive for private facilitated dinner, staying at a hotel in central Manchester.
Wednesday 21st May / First ‘go-look-see’ at PZ Cussons including a facilitated workshop focused on excellence.
Dinner with Shingo award winning company
Thursday 22nd May / Second and third ‘go-look-see’ at Vernacare and Leyland Trucks
Free evening in Manchester
Friday 23rd May / Final learning spot and action planning session
Departure after lunch
Thursday 19th June / Post-learning journey breakfast session

Cost: The cost is £800 +VAT per person. This includes all meals and accommodation apart from the Thursday evening. It does not include travel to and from Manchester.

The Leading Manufacturing Excellence Learning Journey is designed to ensure each host company has a different focus on the key aspects of leadership and operational excellence.

Host Company Information

PZ Cussons, Manchester

PZ Cussons (UK) Ltd, part of the PZ Cussons Group, is a leading organisation within the FMCG industry with recognised quality brands such as Imperial Leather, Carex, Original Source, Charles Worthington and Morning Fresh.

The Manchester factory has been redeveloped as part of a major modernisation of its wider supply chain introducing significant automation and central measurement equipment. The site employs 170 people and its products are exported across the globe.

Vernacare, Bolton

Vernacare is a leading infection control organisation, whose innovative single-use healthcare systems and award winning products have made them global leaders in human waste management across the healthcare sector.

Producing around 150 million units per year the company has invested heavily in automation and quality control measures to ensure that the product quality is of a consistently high standard.

With over 200 employees across the UK and North America the Vernacare system provide the highest standards of customer care, educational support and technical assistance across over 50 countries worldwide.

Leyland Trucks, Lancashire

Leyland Trucks was acquired by the PACCAR group in 1998 and has become the Group’s established centre for Light and Medium Truck design, development and manufacture.

The company was reborn following a management buy out in 1993, leading to a significant period of culture change and performance improvement, under the banner of “Team Enterprise” and the “Advanced Manufacturing System”. It is widely recognised as one of the UK’s best examples of lean production and was awarded the Shingo Bronze Medallion in summer 2011. The company currently employs 800 people.

Application Form

Name (s):
Position (s):
Company name:
Telephone no/Email:
Sector and size:
Personal profile(s):
Please describe below the reasons why you/your colleague want to participate in the Leading manufacturing Excellence Learning Journey (500 words max):
What are the top three challenges that are currently facing your business? And how could this learning journey help you develop these areas?