A multi-million pound contract from the Ministry of Defence has been awarded to Babcock Marine, at Rosyth, to build air craft carriers.

Winning significant new orders also led to a realisation that, to successfully handle the increased workload, they would need to improve their working practices.

And on 3 June a collection of 30 senior staff from over a dozen small and medium-sized Scottish businesses came to Fife to learn lessons from Babcock and see first hand practical tools that they could introduce into their own workplace.

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At Rosyth work is now underway on the first of the two 65,000-tonne aircraft carriers which are being assembled in the Fife yard using compartments built at sites around the UK. The sheer scale is astonishing with the ships' flight deck covering 49 tennis courts. The Queen Elizabeth – and her sister ship, HMS Prince of Wales - are the largest naval warships ever built on british shores.

However, once the scale has been appreciated, changes could be seen during the tour in the heavy and light fabrication bays. Tools and equipment are laid out so workers can find them quickly and easily, thus boosting site productivity and helping reduce costs. The whole site looks fresh, tidy and productive with glows with guidelines for walkways on the concrete floors and all the workers keen to discuss their part in the ongoing work.

With the introduction of visual controls, the development of personnel and an increase in ownership also discussed, these principles of Lean manufacturing can be applied across all businesses, no matter how small or large.

(GK)