October 2004 - updated 8th October

Manufacturing Companies Helped to Race Ahead
More manufacturers are starting to make use of eCommerce today than ever before, and such a wide range, which just goes to show whatever it is you're manufacturing you can almost certainly improve your Company by making better use of electronic methods of doing business.

Engineering companies, from structural steelwork fabrication to toolmakers, wine makers, leather goods manufacturers making golf head covers and hotel key fobs, makers of sweet teddy bears, have all made improvements in the way they do business over the last few months, making improvements to revenue and profitability at the same time.

The businesses varied incredibly in their use of eCommerce when we first met them - from those with just one computer being shared betwen 4 people, for eMail, to one that had discovered the real benefits of being able to use a CAD package to woo new customers over. Our mission was to help them move forward, whatever their starting point.

Whether using email to reduce customer and supplier communication time, using a selling Web site to generate revenue from customers that would never have found them otherwise, or putting in a computer network to allow individual staff to have their own emails, rather than sharing a single company email address, this wide variety have all made improvements.

If you're already well up the eCommerce ladder, we can help there too, by running projects to integrate on-line selling sites with back office materials and production management systems. Whatever your start point, we can help by bringing many man years of experience of both manufacturing and eCommerce to bear to see the best way forward, and in steps that are easily digestible.

Andy Sinden, Horwood International, Manufacturing Partner of Oppotunity Wales Advance

Horwood International are the 'Local Delivery Partner in Bridgend' for more information click here

Horwood International are delighted to advise you that they have been contracted as your local delivery partner in the Bridgend area for the new Opportunity Wales Advance programme . Our advisers would be pleased to discuss how we can help you progress your business to the next stages of eCommerce development.

OWA are offering subsidised Implementation Support to assist with implementing recommendations.
2 days = £200 - 3 days = £250 - 5 days = £350 - 7 days = £450

the cost is inclusive of VAT, a deposit of £50 is required with the application and the balance is payable on completion, which could be provided over a period of up to three months.

Further financial assistance is available from Opportunity Wales Advance in the form of a Client Aid grant. 35% of funding is available towards the cost of implementing the recommendations outlined above, up to a total spend of £5,000, excluding VAT, payable to a maximum of £1750. In order to be eligible for this grant you need to have taken advantage of the Implementation Support package outlined above.

For more information on the OW Advance Programme -click here

A recent study has found that small businesses that upgrade to broadband Internet access save 52 days a year in
lost productivity, and save employees more than 90 minutes each day in waiting for slower dial-up services.
The study revealed that 56% of small businesses in the UK are now broadband-enabled, and over two-thirds
of those polled said broadband had improved their efficiency. Broadband should be accessible to all small businesses,
as it is an “essential tool” for enabling them to compete with larger firms.

Areas of Expertise
Work Measurement Techniques
C.O.S.H.
Introduction of Total Quality Practices
Just in Time
Competitive Edge
Appraisals and Assessments
Lean Manufacturing
Cost Reduction.
Effective Management Control Systems.
Restructuring businesses to improve Productivity.
Implementation of Team Building and Employee Involvement programmes
Management Development
Introduction and Assessment of Management Systems - ISO 9002

The DTI will only fund Best Practice projects undertaken by consultants/advisors
who are accredited on the NCR.

Congratulations to David Smith who has been successful in gaining his TMB (Technology Means Business) and eCIC accreditations.

Through his broad career experience David has developed a highly pragmatic management approach, tailoring Strategy and Improvement Programmes to suit the business environment in which they operate while at the same time bringing about profound attitude changes to lay the foundation for continuous, self generated improvement and growth.

His extensive international experience has given him a broad perspective on issues for Industry sector and Company at International, National and Regional level.

To-date 5 of our consultants have achieved this nationally recognised qualification - Nick Warn, Andy Sinden,
John Tallet, Philip Avery and David Smith - more are already working towards their accreditation! So well done to the team
for this fantastic achievement.

The DTI support 'Access to Best Business Practice' and have created a National Register of Consultants - only those who are TMB accredited will be eligible. For more information on TMB click here

Nick Warn delivers WIS ICT trailer programme in South Wales

Horwood International is providing lecturing and facilitation services to the WDA for the Welsh Information Society ICT Trailer in South Wales. A broad range of topics is being covered, including all aspects of e-Commerce. For more information contact us.

Horwood International Completes eBIT Project Evaluation
for Enterprise Ireland - visit www.openup.ie

further details about Horwood's role in the project click here or contact us for more information

For more information click here

click here to view Lloyds Beal Case Study