'Fish
Processing Firm Takes Expert Advice
'On Board'
Taking 'on board' expert advice
accessed through the Regional Centre for
Manufacturing Excellence for Yorkshire and The Humber (RCME YH) has
helped Lincolnshire-based fish processors, Sealord (Europe) Limited to
successfully grow and effectively manage its expanding business.
An excellent example of this
hands on approach
can be found at the Caistor plant of Sealord. Following the involvement
of MAS, the company has enjoyed significant outputs resulting in the
creation of around 30 new jobs and improved service levels - including
achieving over 98% customer satisfaction and a 25% increase in stock
turnaround.
Under the guidance of managing
director Ken Bottomley,
Sealord Caistor has successfully expanded over the past few years, and
now has a turnover in excess of £17m and over 50 employees. The business
is part of the international seafood company Sealord Group, based in New
Zealand and supplies fresh, chilled and frozen fish from its two sites
in Caistor and Grimsby, close to the world famous fish market.
In 1999, Sealord entered into a
significant arrangement
with supermarket chain Waitrose, which led to the Caistor site
concentrating its efforts on supplying the supermarket's 130 plus UK
stores with high quality, chilled fish products.
Over the last few years the
business has continued to successfully evolve,
with Sealord enlarging its
Caistor premises to accommodate planned growth. Last year the business
increased its product range, moving into added value coated products.
During this period, Ken Bottomley and technical manager, Katarina
Peacock discussed the need to introduce new systems to aid the control
of material in order to avoid the accumulation of excess stock, and
assist in forecasting future requirements and performance measurements.
At this point, the firm
contacted MAS Specialist Terry James
who visited the company and
carried out a diagnostic review. Following further discussions, Terry
arranged for a cost effective dedicated software programme
Produce Plus
to be installed. Six months later the positive benefits of this
investment are being felt throughout the operation.
Lindsay Evants, Sealord's
production services manager explained:
"The software package
Produce Plus
has made a huge difference. We can now effectively monitor the amount of
stock we hold and require, and also ensure that sufficient quantities of
essential items, such as packaging and ingredients, are always in stock"
Ken Bottomley agreed,
"From the outset we were impressed with MAS. They demonstrated a very
positive and professional approach and also helped us to access funding
towards the cost of the software. We pride ourselves on providing our
customers with the highest possible service level and the MAS input has
helped us greatly in this respect.
|
