Achieving excellence through
accelerated learning
Achieving excellence through
accelerated learning
High-Tech Engineering is a specialist precision engineering company based in Houghton Regis, employing 27 people and supplying the motor sport, aerospace and defence sectors. Their MD, Steve Tickner, recognised SC21 as the future of the aerospace & defence industry consequently High-Tech became an SC21 signatory and immediately joined the SBAC SIG (special interest group) for performance & development. Having attended several Gardner/GKN SC21, High-Tech Engineering engaged TEC to initially undertake the in-depth SC21 diagnostics that provided the input to their first CSIP (continuous sustainable improvement plan).
Again assisted by TEC the company embarked on a 12-month programme to implement the improvement activities identified in their CSIP culminating in one of the first SC21 Bronze Recognition Awards that was presented by their key customer GKN Aerospace at TUV in September 2008.
Not content with the existing high levels of sustained delivery and quality performance High-Tech Engineering continued their drive for excellence and have now become the first organization to demonstrate SC21 sustainability and in the process they have also extended their SC21 business group and gained a substantial amount of new work – again actively assisted by TEC. Their improved Business Excellence and Manufacturing Excellence scores coupled with the improvements in quality and delivery resulted in the presentation of the an SC21 Silver Recognition Award at the SC21 Task Force Meeting on 15 October 2009.
At the Farborough Airshow GKN Aerospace awared Hi-Tech Eengineering their SC21 Supplier of the Year for sustained, consistent 100% quality and on time delivery of machined components for a wide range of commercial and military aircraft programmes. GKN Aerospace is a founding signatory of the A|D|S UK 21st Century Supply Chain initiative (SC21) and is pleased to recognise those companies that have committed to the requirements of the SC21.
Soen explains: “High-Tech has always shown total commitment to our expectations and continuously supports our needs including working to drive down lead-times and costs. They were the first precision engineering company in the UK to gain SC21 bronze recognition and are the first and only company to sustain and improve their performance levels, moving from Bronze to Silver”.
High-Tech’s MD Steve Tickner said “We are delighted to receive this award which is a culmination of sustained improvements since 2006. We pride ourselves on having a culture of wanting to be the best at what we do and SC21 allows that”. He continued “We have a forward thinking and committed workforce who understand the need for change and that coupled with TEC our SC21 training provider has enabled us to achieve what we have to date. Without the excellent support TEC have given we would not have improved at the pace and to the level of achievement we have. From the outset they have identified real value added improvement activities due to their knowledge and understanding of what is required to move forward on the programme”.
To quote Steve Tickner (MD): “The SC21 journey has fundamentally changed our company and is continuing to do so. The CSIP has given focus and some additional formality to our ongoing improvement process. It has also become something that is visible to employees and customers alike”.
GKN Award for Hi-Tech
GKN award High Tech their SC21 Supplier of the Year Award at the Farnborough Airshow
SC21 Silver for Hi-Tech
High-Tech Engineering become the first organization to demonstrate SC21 'sustainability' and in the process they are upgraded to an SC21 Silver Recognition Award
Another 'SC21 first' for Hi-Tech
High-Tech Engineering have now become the first organization to demonstrate SC21 sustainability and in the process upgrade from a Bronze to Silver Recognition Award
Another step in the SC21 journey
Improved Business Excellence and Manufacturing Excellence scores have resultied in measurable sustained improvements in quality and delivery perfomance for all customers