The plastics compounding group at the British Plastics Federation is undertaking industrial analytical work by creating a number of benchmarks for its manufacturing performance.

The plastics compounding group at the British Plastics Federation is undertaking some leading-edge industrial analytical work by creating a number of benchmarks for its manufacturing performance. Five leading companies from the sector are taking part in the current exercise which is being led and facilitated by PICME, the Process Industries Centre for Manufacturing Excellence. The five UK compounders from the BPF compounders group taking part are Albis, Distrupol, Hellyar, Asahi and JPG Perrite.

A structured approach to industrial benchmarking will be offered in a group setting in order that the companies can learn form each other's experiences and methods.

The PICME benchmarking suite of tools - especially developed for the process industries - will be used.

Each company will initially collect data on their business and operations metrics.

The data will then be processed and feedback to each participant individually and supported by a written report and on site visit.

As part of the exercise a group report will be generated which will show the performance of the group on key operational and business metrics.

This will also be presented to participating firms.

The first batch of company feedback is expected in the next 6-8 weeks.

PICME is no stranger to plastics compounding, having undertaken manufacturing assessments, benchmarking and masterclasses at a number of important UK sites, including names such as Doeflex, Vita and Stakehill.

For the past two years PICME has also sponsored the compounding section of the Plastics Industry Awards.

PICME consultant Steve Williamson notes that group benchmarking can be a difficult process - but the eventual gains for the industry can be enormous.

'The benefits of collaborating in this way come out in the opportunities to learn about best performance and practice - even from other related sectors,' says Williamson.

Good customer service or safety practices, for example, are often readily transferable from other sectors.

Adaptation skills, however, are often needed, and this is where the PICME/BPF sponsoring forum can make all the difference and provide invaluable assistance.' Peter Davis, Director General of the British Plastics Federation is delighted that the compounding sector of the plastics industry is engaged with this element of PICME's work.

He encourages others - especially in plastics processing, and in injection moulding - to do more in terms of their manufacturing improvement and world-class competitiveness.

'We have long been a supporter of PICME and its manufacturing mission and are pleased to be using the organisation's skills in this way.

My hope is that more and more UK plastics processing companies will raise their manufacturing performance through use of PICME's services, tools and techniques,' he adds.

In addition to plastics compounding PICME has also recently facilitated group benchmarking exercises for the batch chemicals, aerosols, and coatings sectors and is also about to start work with the BPF's pipes group in a similar fashion.