In this success story, we caught up with Kevin Parkin, Executive Chairman at Castings Technology International, who shares how during one board meeting it was suggested that all of the directors should undertake Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt training and the impact Six Sigma has had on their entire organisation from top to bottom.
100% of the Senior Leadership team enrolled on the Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt Training Course
Face-to-Face Lean & Six Sigma Training has resulted in dramatic continuous improvement benefits
About Castings Technology International
Castings Technology is a world leader in titanium casting manufacture and supplies complex cast components into the demanding applications found in the energy, marine, defence and nuclear sectors.
The company also provides consultancy services to international foundries and users of cast components.
Castings Technology operates from a purpose-built facility in the heart of the Advanced Manufacturing Park in South Yorkshire, UK. The 10,000 m² facility houses the latest pattern-making, moulding, vacuum and air melt casting facilities together with support services.
Industry
Manufacturing
Location
Rotherham
The transformation journey began after two Process Engineers, enrolled on a Lean & Six Sigma Green Belt course which was funded through a Skills Bank application, following a need to upskill their continuous improvement teams.
What skills were you looking to develop before starting the Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt course?
- An appreciation of the techniques to be used in implementing the disciplines throughout the company.
- Refreshing the knowledge learned over many years of the senior management team.
- Develop a collaborative approach to the implementation of the tools in each department.
Why do you feel it’s important for your staff to be upskilled?
- To receive independent training in the detail of the skills and suggestions of how each one should be implemented.
- Understanding the goal of implementing effective Lean Manufacturing on a structured basis.
- All staff now understand why the company and themselves will benefit from its introduction.
Can you tell us about the impact Lean & Six Sigma Training has had on Castings Technology International?
- The Implementation of Lean & Six Sigma has commenced in one department and, in 2 weeks, the impact has been dramatic with all employees participating and seeing the immediate benefits.
- Other departments are now keen to become involved.
What was your experience like with Whyy? Change?
- Professional and interested in doing what is right for our company.
- Understanding of manufacturing and its organisational issues.
- Responsive and hands-on.
- Offering relevant practical examples of situations from experience and not just theory.
What would you say to other businesses considering Lean & Six Sigma training?
- Ensure that the Board and the MD want to implement the initiative.
- Maintain the momentum.
- Consider who will champion the introduction.
- Maintain board interest by reviewing progress and establishing implementation targets.
- Take initial “easy wins” to highlight each new technique being introduced.
What value have you seen in having face-to-face training compared to online training?
- Two-way interaction.
- Better understanding if a concept is not clear to the group or individuals.
- Practical and assisted role-play.
- Modified to meet our individual requirements.
- Better communication with each person.
Would you recommend us to other colleagues/businesses, if so, why?
- Very relevant
- Friendly and maintaining interest
- Encouraging participation
- Excellent handouts and presentation
- Good value for money
- Can be partially funded via grants
- Structure for your company not just a generic learning process
“What a superb, informative, stimulating and useful couple of days training and updating on Lean Practices. You gave us an excellent and relevant insight into how we can successfully implement many of the techniques into our company.
We are all keen to support our Continuous Improvement Team in rolling out the program throughout the company in a controlled and structured format. The whole team were considerably challenged by the tasks you set for us and all of us learned some different approaches to material flows, 6S and capacity utilisation. Thanks again.”
Castings Technology International Ltd
Kevin Parkin, Executive Chairman
About Lean & Six Sigma Training
Accredited to ISO 18404:2015, Lean & Six Sigma training give you the fundamental techniques, skills, and knowledge to implement continuous process improvements in your organisation. The course will give your teams the confidence to effectively apply the principles and methodologies of Lean & Six Sigma across your organisation.
Identify the critical inputs to unravel the root cause issues and how to bring the other team members along the change journey to transform your business.
What they’ll learn:
- Methodologies of Lean
- Value stream mapping
- 8 wastes
- 6S
- DMAIC
- Project Charter
- Visual management
- Poka Yoke
- Kanban
- Takt Time
- Pareto
- Gemba
- Transportation diagrams
- Work cell optimisation
- 5 Why?’s
- Kaizen
- FMEA
- Process maps
Interested in joining our next cohort? Have questions?
Book a call with our Head of Business Growth, Anne Wilson MBE: annewilson@whyychange.com
Download our course brochure to find out more.
Lean & Six Sigma Yellow Belt Course
Lean & Six Sigma Green Belt Course
