Savings project is extended into Europe

8:06am Tuesday 10th June 2008

A FLAGSHIP North-East productivity project is to be extended across Europe after success in the region.

The North-East Productivity Alliance (Nepa) has saved regional manufacturers £20m in productivity costs since it was created in 2004, and will now lead a revolution in lean manufacturing across Europe.

The European Regions for Innovative Productivity project, led by development agency One NorthEast and worth more than three million euros, has been approved by the Interreg North Sea Region Programme to share and jointly develop Nepa best practice in Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway and Sweden.

Dr Colin Herron, the manufacturing and productivity manager at One NorthEast, said: "This project recognises the pioneering work we have been conducting and will make the North-East the focal point for excellence in manufacturing.

"The innovative concept of lean manufacturing is not a new thing in Europe, but the North- East has been pioneering largescale dissemination of the tools and techniques.

"It makes sense to share our knowledge, expertise and experience with partners in the North Sea area of Europe to help us all become more competitive against low-cost economies."

The three-year project will develop and test the principles of lean manufacturing and how it can improve the long-term competitiveness of businesses with fewer than 150 employees.

Editor's Choice