WELSH FIRMS SITTING ON ‘GOLDMINE’ OF BEST BUSINESS PRACTICE

Welsh firms were urged this week to take full advantage of the ‘goldmine’ of world- class business expertise on their own doorstep.

Vincent Kane, one of Wales’ leading advocates of quality improvement in industry, said that Wales already possessed many outstanding home-grown and international enterprises whose world-beating business practices should be studied and copied by thousands of small companies across the country.

Mr Kane, who is chairman of the Wales Quality Centre argued that effective sharing of this expertise could generate many millions of pounds for such companies and give Wales a strong competitive edge internationally.

His comments came during a visit to the Wrexham plant of global food manufacturer, Kelloggs, to mark the start of a new Inside Welsh Industry programme (IWI).

Inside Welsh Industry is a programme, which organises fact-finding visits by senior managers from small and medium sized companies to firms which are regarded as international leaders of good practice.

The programme, which has already worked with nearly 200 enterprises since 2003, is managed and funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, supported by Wales Management Council and delivered by Wales Quality Centre.

Representatives from both the Wales Quality Centre and Wales Management Council met Kelloggs officials to discuss the company’s involvement as a role model company in the forthcoming programme.

As the recognised body with expertise in the Excellence standard, the Wales Quality Centre (WQC) has just secured the contract to deliver Inside Welsh Industry over the next three years.

The programme is regarded as important mechanism for the Assembly Government to boost the performance of businesses in line with its economic strategy - Wales a Vibrant Economy (WAVE)

WQC is an independent not-for-profit membership organisation that promotes excellence to Wales’ commercial and public sector organisations.

Mr Kane added: “IWI provides Welsh firms with a vital opportunity to learn from leading edge businesses across Wales. Kelloggs is a clear example of quality manufacturing in Welsh Industry which is why we’re so delighted they are such clear advocates of this Wales-wide initiative.” 

Steve Donnelly, North Wales Executive of Wales Management Council added: “We recognise that sharing excellent business practice leads to stronger business growth and higher industry standards. Wales-based businesses have a great deal of knowledge and experience to offer and I encourage every leading company in Wales to get involved as Kelloggs have done, sharing best practice with companies wanting to learn from the best.”

First sited at Wrexham in 1978, the 500-job factory has grown to become the fourth largest Kelloggs plant in the world, producing its trademark breakfast cereals, such as Special K and All Bran 365 days of the year, 24 hours a day. A record 113,000 tonnes of cereal was produced in the year 2004, with over 50% being exported, primarily to Europe.

The plant excels in health & safety processes and systems, over the last three years, the team’s focus has moved from having rules for safety using devices such as floor markings, guarding and signs, to a behaviour based safety approach.

The plant has now achieved Kelloggs’ worldwide ‘global standard’ for safety as well as the RoSPA gold medal. As a result it regularly hosts visits for representatives of other Kelloggs plants across the world as well as those taking part in the IWI programme.  

Andy Threlkeld, Wrexham Plant Director, who is a keen advocate of IWI, said: “We are delighted to be involved in this programme and fully support the sharing of the initiatives, practices and expertise that we use at our Wrexham plant and in turn learn from other businesses. Overall, knowledge sharing in the right environment can do nothing but enhance best practice and improve performance.”

Businesses wanting to be considered as Inside Welsh Industry hosts or wishing to visit a host can contact the Wales Quality Centre on  01656 652063 or at info@walesqualitycentre.org.uk.