best practice visits
throughout the UK
throughout the UK
Oxford Instruments
Oxford Instruments specialises in the design, manufacture and support of high-technology tools and systems for industry, research, education, space, energy, defence and healthcare. We combine core technologies in areas such as low temperature and high magnetic field environments; X-ray, electron and optical based metrology; advanced growth, deposition and etching. Our aim is to be the leading provider of tools and systems for the emerging nanotechnology markets.
Visit in 60 seconds
Lean Manufacturing ... Pull methodology ... Visual management ... 5S ... Standard Operating Practices ... shorter lead-times ... Supply chain ... Line-side stocking ... Order management ... RF linked barcode handsets
Topics covered by Oxford Instruments
Lean Manufacturing
High variety, low volume and variable yields make it difficult to build and ship on time to specific customer orders. The identification of modular sub-assemblies and the implementation of pull methodology and visual management have supported a significant improvement in on-time delivery. Adoption of 5S, including developments in Standard Operating Practices, has improved the shop-floor environment whilst also supporting and increasing the drive against waste. Challenges have included cultural resistance to change and a high demand for increasing variety with shorter lead-times from the market.
Supply Chain Management
From a history of transactional and adversarial relationships with local suppliers, progress has been made to develop a global supply chain based on business-wide commodity strategies operating through a variety of ordering mechanisms. Challenges arise from a combination of high-specification, high-variety and low-volume. In-house material management has moved from a kitting approach to line-side stocking and works order management supported by RF linked barcode handsets, enabling live updates to the ERP system.
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Visits in February
Basingstoke
New Milton
Waterlooville
Hertfordshire
Ramsgate
Chesterfield