KTP Student Rayan Chehayeb, from Brighton University, spent 2 years at Parafix. Here is his summary of his time with the company.
I started my KTP (Knowledge Transfer Partnerships) project when joining Parafix Tapes and Conversions Ltd on 14th January 2008. This followed a carefully conducted recruitment process consisting of two rounds of interviews. I was selected to spearhead a challenging Manufacturing improvement project that would last 2 years.
KTPs have been helping companies to improve their competitiveness, productivity and performance over the last 30 years; and supported them through 3 economic downturns. They are partly funded by the Government which eases the financial investment for companies.
My early achievements helped Parafix to face some of the challenges presented by the slide into recession in 2008 and they are still reaping the benefits of the KTP project by emerging from the recession in a strong and competitive position.
The benefits and achievements of the project have been significant to Parafix on a strategic as well as tactical level. Key achievements of my projects were the following:
The analysis of Parafix’s processes and the development and implementation of new and more efficient processes, which resulted in elimination of waste and bottlenecks, and ultimately in substantial cost savings.
The planning and implementation of a new factory layout, using lean Six Sigma tools, that would support the improved manufacturing processes; this helped to increase machine capacity levels substantially.
The introduction of new quality assurance techniques, such as Six Sigma, and staff training. This was done to assure that all improvements would be sustained even beyond the KTP project. Part of this achievement was to help staff run their own Six Sigma projects and give them a healthy understanding on Statistical Process control.
A market research project to help identify opportunities in Parafix’s current market and potential new markets to enter. This supported the Sales and Marketing department in the development of new strategies and ultimately resulted in the investment of new machinery which will enhance company productivity even further.
The KTP programme presented me with the opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge that I had acquired at University. It allowed me to work with people at all levels of an organisation and, even though I have now left Parafix, I will always remember the experience of working there as a happy one. I still remain in contact with the friends I made at Parafix on both a professional and personal level.
If you would like to find out more about KTP projects and how they could help improve your company’s performance and business operations to arm yourself for today’s market, then visit the KTP website on
http://www.ktponline.org.uk/business/business.aspx