Yorkshire manufacturer boosts production

A FURNITURE manufacturer which has beaten off intense global competition from overseas producers is on track to boost turnover after increasing production capacity by more than 30%.

Pontefract-based Carleton Furniture Group designs, manufactures and installs furniture for residential contracts.

The company supplies to a diverse range of customers including student accommodation providers, elderly care homes, the army and social housing.

Despite seeing a decline in demand from one of its traditional core markets – call centre furniture – the company has remained in a strong market position after streamlining its activities and improving production.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) gave the company advice on how to cope with the changing dynamics in the market and increased global competition and how to improve its production capabilities.

MAS advisor Fred Bradbury was able to put together a strategic plan to help the company convert its production strategy, by moving from a linear factory layout to one to two man ‘cells’. 

He also helped the company to redefine the manufacturing and assembly process, reduce overheads and increasing productivity to combat the global threat from low cost regions. 

The improvements resulted in an a 30% increase in capacity and a 123% increase in productivity.

Dean Nutter, manufacturing manager, said: “We are now much better resourced to deal with major fluctuations in customer demand and our response to short lead times has greatly improved.

“Our key task now is to not only sustain improvements but to also develop them into a growing sense of achievement. This I am sure we can do as Fred left us with the template and culture of a winning team.”

Carleton Furniture Group currently employs around 200 staff.

MAS Y&H is funded by Yorkshire Forward and managed by YFM Business Development, a subsidiary of YFM Group.