 '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.
| 
