Having enjoyed continued and sustained growth in recent years, Eldon's Rotherham stainless steel manufacturing facility has once again had increases in both sales and production for stainless steel products. In response to the growth, the factory has increased the size of its work force again - this year by a further 15 people. 

 

Sales of stainless steel enclosures and accessories increased in the first quarter of 2006 by 25% over the same quarter last year. In the same period product quality has been improved.

 

"Even in the midst of this substantial growth, we are working hard to ensure we keep our product quality high and our lead times low," said Chris Bourne, Product Manager, Stainless Steel, Eldon. "Our recent staffing up not only future proofs us for next year's growth, it goes a long way in helping to ensure that Eldon will continue to offer some of the industry's shortest lead times for bespoke products."

 

Eldon's recent success is at least partly due to the employment and refining of a "cellular" manufacturing approach. Pioneered in Japan, this approach in production places all production stations in close proximity. By improving communication and reducing the time transitioning from one part of the manufacturing process to the next, the "cellular" approach allows for significantly increased flexibility and enables the reduction of lead times.

"Because there are no production lines to reconfigure, the cellular approach allows us to take on much smaller orders and easily work on specials," said Bourne. "In concert with our having some of the most knowledgeable and hardworking people in the industry on our factory floor, the cellular approach has been a major factor in our success."