The lean machine Inspirepac beats sales targets

Wetherby-based inspirepac, which specialises in producing printed corrugated packaging, has tapped into support from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) to make it more efficient.

The company, which was turning over just £11m in 2008, is gearing up for further growth after destroying production bottlenecks.

Martin Brown, the company’s plant director, said: “The decision was made to bring in MAS to help us with this project.

“We needed someone who wasn’t involved in the business to take a more strategic view of what we were doing.”

He added: “It started with a complete business review, which developed an action plan for us to follow.”

According to Mr Brown, the equipment is operating more efficiently, and staff and customers are finding it easier to communicate.

Inspirepac, which is part of the Logson Group, employs 125 people at its Wetherby factory.

The company manufactures a range of printed corrugated products. These are distributed in the UK for a number of local and national blue chip companies.

Mr Brown said: “We want to make sure we continually improve and are looking at the next area of ‘lean’ we can introduce.”

John Ransford, of the MAS, said: “The company had all the necessary skills to be successful; they just needed a clear strategy and a way of making sure everyone in the offices and the shopfloor embraced the lean culture.

“Being able to effectively cope with an additional £11m of business tells you what inspirepac has achieved.”

MAS, which is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), helps manufacturers to raise their game during a period of economic uncertainty.

It has a team of advisers who can help to shape the company’s strategy, create new products, reduce waste and review supply chains. Companies can also take advantage of a free review that identifies priorities. Funding is available for projects that can increase efficiency, develop new products, and strengthen the supply chains.

For more information visit www.mymas.org