Over the past 7 years, WKW has embarked on a challenge, to be one of a growing number of companies in the ‘Fit for Nuclear' program. The program has allowed WKW to look at its internal processes, structure and note where they could improve . Since then the company has created a new software program - ‘Open Shop’, which has created an attitude of continuous improvement in the business.
WKW Precision Engineering are sub-contract manufacturers of high tolerance precision engineered components. Supported by the Nuclear AMRC, the ‘Fit for Nuclear’ program process used a nuclear checklist to guide and create a plan of action. This allowed the firm to gain the confidence to network with others within the sustainable energy market.
The team decided to invest in the ‘Fit for Nuclear’ program to embark on the mission of being one of Yorkshire's top engineering companies. Elevating themselves to the best remains a continuous goal. The vision, creating a ‘competitive, reliable and quality service’ for all their clients.
There seemed to be a defining factor though. To sustain the quality that made WKW the competitive service the sacrifice, reliability. As a customer you were almost certain to receive exactly what you wanted but delays seemed to run tandem. With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, WKW had an opportunity to look at the efficiency of its service. The desired outcome was to improve these areas.
How could WKW maintain the quality of its service? How could it improve on delivery? Could it use this time to its advantage! How could it improve its own communication within its departments?
From this opportunity and reduction in the market demand was born ‘Open Shop'. Using their MRP system, WKW came up with the concept of a live dashboard. This allowed all departments of the business to see what was happening from production through to delivery. Some of the many features the dashboard incorporated as well were production per department, quality and employee efficiency.
WKW had the vision that they could be available 24/7 to all their clients, to see where the order was, if it was in progress and when it would be ready. Helping deal with their enquiries faster and more efficiently.
Open Shop is now an important part of the driving force at WKW. Used daily, it is there to maintain delivery and keep the workforce moving in the right direction. It works for them and with effective management it works for their clients.