Lean Enterprise and Resource Efficiency
Resource efficiency is about getting more out from what you put in. By being ‘Lean and Green’ you can maximise your savings and increase profits
What is resource efficiency?
Resource efficiency is about getting more out from what you put in. By being ‘Lean and Green’ you can maximise your savings and increase profits
- Becoming more resource efficient by following lean manufacturing principles is a key way for manufacturers to boost their bottom line
- Going 'lean' means driving greater supply chain visibility to eliminate waiting time and having excess inventory, ensuring suppliers are not the weak link in your company’s ability to comply with green directives
Environmental legislation
Environmental compliance is one of the biggest issues facing manufacturers today
- Two recent EU regulations, the European Union (EU)'s Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), and EU's Restriction of Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS), are main directives having an impact on manufacturers, and key to improving the environment
- The best way to address environmental pressures is to look at ways of integrating compliance within an overall lean approach and strategy to eliminate waste within the business
- Going 'green' is not just a corporate social responsibility enhancer; it is a must-do to avoid costly fines and trading restrictions
Benefits of becoming resource efficient
- Businesses could save a considerable amount of money by recycling raw materials and cutting back on packaging. (According to Envirowise, the true cost of waste can actually be between five and 10 times the cost to a business of disposing of it[1].)
- Implementing processes such as the reduction of lead times for production can really help with the management of erratic orders and inventory reduction can free up cash within the business
- By considering the design and lifecycle impacts of products and packaging. eco design is a way of thinking about design which takes into account the environmental impact of a product or packaging across its entire existence, and can be used to reduce environmental impacts as well as costs for businesses
Top ten resource efficiency tips
“Think global but act local”
Businesses can considerably reduce waste costs by around 20 per cent[2] through simple low cost actions:
- Turn lights and machinery off when not in use
- Fix dripping taps
- Install water-saving devices in toilet cisterns
- Use water efficient kitchen equipment
- Print double-sided
- Email copies of invoices instead of hard copies
- Use recycled paper
- Avoid printing off large documents unnecessarily
- Communicate – let people know what you think of their service and how it can be improved
- Take action and request less packaging!
How can MAS help?
MAS South West can provide a free on-site review to highlight where a company can make a significant impact to their profits and keep ahead in these uncertain times. By providing a fresh pair of eyes we can offer ideas, solutions and ongoing support
Paul Gilbert: “Environmental savings isn’t about ‘hugging trees or saving whales’ its just good business practice and using common sense.”
Did you know?
Total Productive (or Preventative) Maintenance
That if a machine is not monitored, incorrectly programmed or, is suffering through non-rectified wear and tear, the quality of the work being produced may suffer and consequently be rejected by the customer. Defects are one of the nine wastes of lean manufacturing and necessitate the purchase of more raw materials to replace those that were ‘spoilt’ through the unmonitored or inefficient process.
For more information please email us at info@swmas.co.uk or call 0845 608 3838 for further information.
