Innovation is woven into the very ‘fabric’ of Leeds-based Hainsworth, a global leader in textile manufacturing. The long established company has benefited from expert advice and guidance provided by the Manufacturing Advisory Service Yorkshire & Humber (MAS Y&H) as part of its on-going commitment to remain at the forefront of manufacturing excellence.
MAS Y&H is a BERR initiative jointly funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and managed by YFM Business Development, a subsidiary of YFM Group, providing ‘hands on’ advice and support to manufacturing businesses to improve productivity and efficiency.
MAS has worked with Hainsworth for a number of years. One of its first projects was to enrol the majority of the company’s 200 workforce (including managing director, Thomas Hainsworth, the seventh generation of the family to run the business) on an NVQ level 2 in ‘lean manufacturing’ to provide a greater understanding on how the technique applies to their work areas.
The company, which has a turnover of £15m recently completed a strategic review of the business and full company re-brand, and has re-structured the business into four ranges: Apparel Fabrics; Technical and Industrial Textiles; Interior Fabrics and the Textile Innovation Centre.
Founded in 1783, Hainsworth is well known for its quality, speciality textiles including the cloth that covers the Woolsack in the House of Lords, scarlet tunics worn at the Trooping of the Colour and protective uniforms for firefighters around the world. The firm also supplies green baize used on championship snooker and pool tables and the cloth used to cover the piano keys of world famous Steinway pianos. Hainsworth also manufactures blankets used at renowned hotels such as The Dorchester in London and stocked by leading stores such as Harrods and the John Lewis group.
As part of Hainsworth’s commitment to implement ‘lean’ thinking at the ‘front end’ of the factory (which would lead to improved profitability, a better layout, optimised stock levels and better use of current and proposed new equipment), the firm asked MAS adviser, Abigail Levin from MCCR & Associates to head up a team to provide expert assistance in guiding the company to develop its business strategy.
Thomas Hainsworth, said: “Abigail helped to clarify the issues facing us through reviewing current systems and engaging with our staff. We recognised it was imperative to involve the workforce in each stage of the project and get their input and views and she was very effective in coaching and encouraging them.”
He added: “Working with MAS has helped with our re-organisation and has led to our employees feeling empowered to make decisions on the new factory layout. We now have a better designed production area and are using our floor space more effectively. Research carried out by MAS also influenced our decision to keep our yarn production in-house which safeguarded twenty jobs.”
For more information about MAS visit www.mas-yh.co.uk
