Ryobi recasts operational efficiency at Carrickfergus

Japanese-owned Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK) of Carrickfergus has increased its competitive position and saved over £100,000 from applying business improvement techniques.

Ryobi was helped by Invest NI’s Business Improvement Services to increase efficiency in a product manufacturing process by using a US-developed technique known as Six Sigma.

John Hughes, Ryobi Aluminium’s Managing Director, said: “The automotive industry has become one of the most price sensitive sectors and manufacturers are searching continuously for new ways to control the costs of new vehicles. This has led to intense pressure on all suppliers and the need to ensure that all production processes operate to the highest efficiency levels.

“Our business strategy is focused on building partnerships with manufacturers in the development of next generation components. It is essential, therefore, that we are able to offer them the most efficient and responsive manufacturing services.

“Six Sigma is an excellent technique for collecting essential up-to-the-minute information for the more effective management of production processes. This enables us to make better-informed decisions using up-to-date information about the performance of our machinery.

“By using Invest NI’s Six Sigma programme we were able to achieve even higher levels of efficiency in a key production area, minimise waste levels and thereby enhance our ability to compete for new business from existing and new partners,” he added.

Ryobi, which casts aluminium products such as gearbox and clutch casings for leading European automotive manufacturers, used Six Sigma to measure production processes and pinpoint areas in which efficiency could be improved. This involved setting up employee teams to analyse inefficiencies and to recommend remedial action.

(SP)