Manufacturing
There is a widespread assumption that the final demise of manufacturing in the UK is only a matter of time. But this is simply not so.
UK manufacturing has managed to survive, and in some industry sectors even thrive in recent decades largely because it has been able to achieve quite extraordinary improvements in productivity. Some of this has been down to new tools and technologies, and some to new working practices.
Sustainability is an extraordinary opportunity, but the UK faces stiff competition from other territories. The recent focus on climate change and greener supply chains opens up a whole range of new prospects for UK manufacturing, for example in the design and production of clean technologies and renewable energy generation. Other countries may already have a substantial lead in areas such as wind power, however this opportunity is by no means completely claimed and in some areas (particularly tidal energy) the UK has a strong position already. It will require focus and co-ordination between government, business, and academia to be properly exploited.
Sustainability not only presents a market opportunity for manufacturing but operating sustainably can improve your bottom line in many ways.
Developing sustainably
In order to improve the sustainability of your organisation you will need to:
- Understand the potential risks to the continuity of your organisation’s activities
- Identify and understand the impact of your own organisation on society and the environment
- Put measures in place to minimise those risks and impacts
- Reduce the risk of accidents and incidents occurring
- Consider whether your suppliers meet your requirements for more sustainable building materials and services
- Train your staff
Standards provide a framework for your business to address the people, planet and profit elements of developing sustainably.
Standards for sustainable development in the manufacturing industry are:
BS 25999 – Business continuity management
Continued operations in the event of a disruption, whether due to a major disaster or a minor incident is a fundamental requirement for your organisation. BS 25999 has been developed to help you reduce the risks and recovery time of such disruptions.
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ISO 9001 – Quality management
This provides you with the tools you need to monitor and improve your performance in areas such as increasing market share, driving down costs, managing risks more effectively and improving customer satisfaction.
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ISO 14001 – Environmental management systems
This will provide you with a framework to indentify and manage your environmental impacts and will ensure you have the tools in place to address them and keep to any applicable legislation.
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BS EN 16001 - Energy management
Identify and action opportunities for reductions in energy use and associated cost savings.
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BS OHSAS 18001 – Occupational health and safety management
Identify and manage hazards and risks and ensure the health and safety of people working for and on behalf of your organisation.
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PAS 99 – Integrated management systems
Bing two or more management systems into one holistic approach
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PAS 11000 – Collaborative business relationships
Share knowledge, skills and resources to meet mutually defined objectives and add value
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Kitemark ® and Product Testing
BSI’s testing and certification services ensure that products and services meet safety and performance requirements and that, with regular re-assessment, they continue to do so.
BSI offers testing services for building products which are either voluntary certification in the form of Kitemark®, mandatory compliance in the form of CE marking or direct testing, which is useful to clients who are in the process of developing a product. Achieving these marks provides independent assurance to purchasers of your products and assists your access to new customers.
Help from BSI
BSI can help you by:
• Providing guidance documents and publications to help your understanding of these standards
• Providing standards-based and business improvement training courses
• Directing you to reputable consultants through our Associate Consultants programme
• Conducting a gap analysis to assess how well you are progressing in implementing the requirements of standards
• Providing you with a web-based solution to manage your management systems through our Entropy ® Software
• Testing and certifying your products to standards
Why choose BSI?
- BSI is a world leader in standards, assessment, certification, verification and testing
- We have a worldwide network of assessors with management systems assessment experience at your disposal
- Our ability to undertake complex, multi-national, multisite, process-based assessment work is second to none
- BSI has the capability, specific strengths and knowledge to assess management systems
- By choosing BSI, certified organisations will be able to use and benefit from BSI’s logo, which holds UK Superbrand status and the Kitemark® logo – the best known, most trusted and recognised quality mark
Laminar Medica
Laminar Medica specialises in the design, testing, manufacture and qualification of insulated shipping systems which are used by the pharmaceutical and biotech industries globally. Laminar Medica's products protect vaccines, drugs, blood and associated medical products from extremes of temperature during transportation.
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Shades of comfort
Legislative change in recent years has prompted a greater appreciation of the benefits of outdoor trading at licensed premises. Shades of Comfort Limited was formed in 2005 by Tony Peters and Barrie Evans to provide outdoor solutions following the smoking ban in pubs and restaurants. Shades of Comfort helps turn external space into extended customer entertainment areas. The company has subsequently expanded rapidly and services major groups including Whitbread, Enterprise Inns, Admiral Taverns, St Austell Breweries and Youngs.
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Metflex
Understanding customers’ needs is paramount to Metflex, since the company strives to increase the value offered to customers by constantly improving products, service, technology and innovation
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Johnson Matthey
In 2007 the chief executive of Johnson Matthey, a worldwide precious metals and advanced materials company, challenged the company to 'halve the amount of raw materials used and remove waste while doubling profitability'. This new sustainability initiative was a ten year goal linked to the forthcoming 200th anniversary of the company in 2017.
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Network with clients and talk to BSI experts at one of our Regional Business Forums. The forums will provide you with valuable BSI updates, information on how implement a BSI standard and tools and techniques to achieving certification. The forums are free half day events. Places are limited so register your place online at www.bsigroup.co.uk/forum10