15 Nov 2004
BAE Systems Avionics in Edinburgh has received two of the thirteen awards at a ceremony that honours the UKs top manufacturing plants.
BAE Systems was named ‘Best Electrical and Electronics Plant’ and ‘Best Factory for People Management’ in the Best Factory Awards, organised by Cranfield School of Management.
Director of the Best Factory Awards, Dr Marek Szwejczewski, said, “Working in a sector where customers will only work with the best-in-class suppliers, BAE Systems Avionics has embraced world-class manufacturing principles by concentrating on core processes, driving out non-value-adding activities and improving its supply chain efficiency.
“With a ‘war for talent’ taking place in the Lothian area, BAE Systems Avionics has set up a number of work-life balance initiatives to attract and retain staff. The site has also moved to a matrix-based structure of integrated product teams, making it more agile and profitable, The site has also moved to a single-status workforce and devolved decision-making,” he added
These latest accolades bring the total number of awards won by the Edinburgh facility to nine so far this year.
Cranfield School of Management is a world-class university business school, renowned for its strong links with industry and business and the judges were particularly impressed with the world class standards witnessed during a site visit in the summer to the Crewe Toll facility. Judges commented, “We have been impressed by the level of innovation we have seen as manufacturing plants invest in new processes, cutting edge technology, and their employees, and subsequently improve their performance.”
“The Edinburgh plant is a centre of excellence for microelectronics and lasers and their commitment to investment in their people is highly commendable,” he said.
Norman Bone, BAE Systems Avionics IT & Operations Director said “Working and succeeding in a high-tech industry takes energy, innovation and expertise as well as continuous investment and commitment and receiving this sort of recognition confirms our position as market leaders.”
Edinburgh-based Operations Director, Graham Russell, said “The Cranfield School of Management’s Awards for Manufacturing are amongst the most prized awards in UK manufacturing and our success is testimony to the hard work of the whole Avionics team. With our
latest success we have won nine external business awards since February of this year and that external recognition is a tribute to the business.”
BBC News senior political correspondent, John Pienaar, presented the awards in central London on Thursday, 4 November.
About BAE SYSTEMS Avionics:
BAE Systems Avionics Group is one of the leading Avionics companies in Europe, and the UKs foremost supplier of electronic systems for civil and military platforms in the air, at sea and on land. With its head office at Basildon in the UK, the Avionics organisation employs 4,900 people.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, fighting vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
For further information, please contact:
Jane Macfarlane, BAE Systems Avionics Group
Tel: +44 (0) 131 343 8993 Mob: +44 (0) 7736 810172
