IBP Conex - 2010

Pan European manufacturer and supplier of metallic plumbing fittings to trade and DIY sectors.   Turnover £100m.   Employees 1,000

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Group Technical Manager

To lead and manage all design development activities across the group with responsibility for Design, Testing and Quality teams.

On joining IBP Conex the primary task was to manage a project which had already been running for 18 months;

• Timing:   Coached key supplier in better use of MS Project in order to create more powerful timing plan.   This resulted in a 2 week reduction in lead time equating to an additional £150K of sales.

• Capital expenditure: The full manufacturing process was not understood and therefore the capital expenditure requirements of the project were significantly underestimated. Co-ordinated the team in Spain, Poland and UK to establish full capex demands and regain control of project costs thereby maintaining viability of project which was key to the development of the business in a new market.

• Strategy: Development team were overwhelmed by too many projects at once, resulting in reduced throughput of development projects.   Established boardroom support for a focused approach to product development with use of a visual development map to help plan future projects.