Manufacturing Operations in England.
Precision Research was retained to create all aspects for manufacturing Plastic Bathtubs, Showers and other products in high volume in England.
Starting from zero, a 60,000 sq. ft., manufacturing operation commenced production in 10 months.
The Task:
In 1974 Glynwed, then England largest building products conglomerate, had been producing 'Cast Iron' Bathtubs, Shower Stalls and Sinks, for over 30 years. However as Fiberglass made it's entry into the industry, Glynwed had not developed such capabilities and was beginning to loose market share. The company had made the decision to make it's entry and intended to employ the concept of Acrylic/Fiberglass, as Mr. Cripps had done in 1971.
In evaluating the technology, Glynwed identified business TPG Industries founded by Milo Cripps in Los Angeles was the leading company in the USA manufacturing 'Fiberglass Reinforced Acrylic Bathtubs & Sinks. Glynwed then retained Mr. Cripps as
'Consultant Manager' to direct all activities of the proposed operation in England.
Glynwed provided a 60,000 sq. ft., empty facility in Birmingham, and was the source of all required capital. Milo Cripps only requirement was to report to a Member of Glynweds Board, and also to spend approximately 40% of his time residing in England, in order to manage the emerging enterprise.
History of events during the next 10 months:
- Developed business plans, resource requirements, budgets and schedules
- Developed product design concepts and tooling: Bathtubs, Shower Stalls etc.
- Formed a design team for products, tooling and manufacturing engineering
- Designed the factory layout, resources and specified all equipment
- Purchased 80% of equipment from the USA to achieve fast implementation
- Purchased molds and vacuum tooling locally and from California
- Managed implementation of machines, equipment and conveyor operations
- Developed parallel prototyping programs validate concepts ahead of time
- Established procurement and inventory control capability
- Hired required management staff
- Developed sales resources in conjunction with Glynwed staff
- Commenced production with growth to 200 bathtubs/day
and 300 Sinks/day.
During following months, as sales increased, Mr. Cripps continued to resolve the inevitable problems associated with a fast growing production operation.
During the next year, Mr. Cripps worked with a new permanent Manager for the business, and also continued both in operational development, and also assisted in sales functions and arranged for a line of Shower Doors Enclosures to be imported from the USA into the product line.
Mr. Cripps continued his relationship with Glynwed for 25 years in many roles including: Automation, business planning activities, equipment development, rubber and plastics production etc.
(1) Shown as year 2006 dollars.
