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NEWS ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
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Following the announcement in the last issue of NEPPCO NEWS of a £0.5m European Regional Development Fund award to set up a Process Development and Competitivity Unit (PDCU) at UMIST, we can now report that the unit is very much up and running. The Unit is open to receive applications for assistance from both NEPPCO and non-NEPPCO companies.
A number have already been received and work on some projects has already started.
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The PDCU will use the grant money and its technical resources to increase competitiveness of processing companies in the NorthWest. It aims to achieve this through practical shop floor improvement programmes within the factories of Small to Medium sized Enterprises (SME's).
Typical improvement programmes could be aimed at some of the following targets.
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- Reducing manufacturing costs
- Reducing scrap rates
- Reducing down time
- Improving product quality
- Increasing production rates
- Improving efficiencies in raw material usage, capital, labour and energy.
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If you need help in any or some of these areas, or have other specific process related problems you will like assistance in overcoming,
please contact Paul Hunter at the PDCU at UMIST:
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A free CD-ROM Internet Guide is being provided to all NEPPCO members, with this issue of NEPPCO NEWS.
The CD has been produced by RAPRA under the Partnership in Plastics (PiP) initiative- sponsored by the DTI.
The CD enables users to find basic background information on the Internet and the World Wide Web (www), as well as tips on how to navigate and how to get connected. Also included are descriptions and links to some of the most useful plastics-related websites.
In the CD, there are small blue arrows that indicate a link to the Internet. If you are already connected to the Internet via a modem, then clicking on these links automatically connects you to the site via the CD-ROM.
If your CD is not included, or you require further help, please contact Paul Hunter at the NEPPCO office in the first instance on 0161 200 3763.
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ARRK FORMATION LTD., a rapid prototyping and tooling-service provider, has formed a customer support team dedicated specifically to filling the needs of its customer base in Northern England and Scotland. The team, which will be spear headed by Allan Moth, was formed following a restructuring of ARRK's project department to meet the growing demand of its services in the region. According to Managing Director Peter Rawson, "The growth (we have seen) in business has allowed us to offer customers very competitive prices and to meet demand"
ARRK in collaboration with Northern Technologies (both NEPPCO members) aims to assist companies in identifying where new CAD technologies and prototyping techniques can be used. Funding is available to deliver hands-on design and phototyping services to SMEs in the East Lancashire area based on a focused programme developed that minimises risks and reduces time to market.
For further information, contact:
ARRK Formation Ltd. On 01452 727700 or Northern Technologies on 01282 724201.
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BACK TO TOP
Although the number of visitors to the show, which was held during the first week of October '99 was reported by the organisers to be slightly lower than 3 years ago, most of the 9 companies that shared the NEPPCO stand reported that they were pleased to have been present, and would probably attend the next event.
NEPPCO Manager Paul Hunter said, "Over the 5 days, a total of 75 enquiries had been taken, which is more than the two previous events in '93 and '96. The general quality of enquiries appears to be higher too". Whilst many of the member companies present on the stand are still following up a number of the enquiries, Joe Green from Manplas has already been able to report on a success for his company. Joe took an enquiry on the second day of the exhibition from an engineering company in Sheffield, received an order during the course of the exhibition and delivered a prototype tool within 10 days.
A number of the Interplas enquiries taken has resulted in a batch of new companies joining the Consortium
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