Implementation of focused manufacturing techniques in a hand tool company

This paper details the process of change at Footprint Tools Limited, Sheffield, using a teaching company scheme as the transfer medium and teaching company associates as the transfer co-ordinators. The technology introduced was neither ‘sophisticated’ nor ‘new’, but was considered appropriate to achieve the business and operational goals required. Cellular manufacturing (the technology) is an established concept which has evolved from the principles of group technology. Cellular manufacturing identifies and exploits the ‘underlying sameness’ of parts and the processes used for their manufacture. It is a total manufacturing system which involves the complex interaction of market, management and people. © 1995, Institution of Mechanical Engineers. All rights reserved.