Two new appointments at AGI Labels

AGI Labels have appointed Stephen Frost as demand manager, and Brendan Etheridge as lean champion leader.

‘We’ve been going through an extensive review here at Labels’, commented Steve Frost. ‘We have set up a “Demand Management” structure, similar to that found within the motor industry. This will help us to eliminate down-time, make planning leaner, be more efficient in tracking our work and in matching the demands of the customer with the capability of our plant. I will be involved with new business, right from the initial briefing, so that we have no nasty surprises for customers just before going to press! This is what the new role is all about.’

Explaining his new role, Brendan Etheridge said: ‘The Lean Champion Team will involve people from each department who will be targeting efficiency within the business, asking questions, rather than accepting the way we’ve always done things. We will be coming up with fresh ideas.’ Brendan has also been working on purchasing effectiveness: ‘We are eager to create a “partnership ethic” with suppliers, in other words, working hard to achieve long-term relationships with them and making the best use of their expertise – rather than just relying on one-off agreements.  Our paper supply was one of the areas we looked at, and after putting this out to competitive tender, we decided to appoint Herma – a leading German firm, but with a base at Newbury. In-house, we’re making sure that everyone works with the ideals of generating greater efficiency, from cutting out day-to-day waste, to the testing of inks prior to going to print. The savings stack up.’