Lean manufacturing processes are essential to ensuring a sustainable business for today, and for the future that lies ahead.
The world around us continually changes. As individuals and businesses, we must adapt and grow with these changes. Resource management is at the forefront of global conversations and whilst as individuals, we are encouraged to “do our bit,” so too are businesses. Reducing waste offers manufacturers more than just environmental benefits. With lean strategies in place, there is the potential for cost savings and greater sustainability in an uncertain economic climate. The concept of lean manufacturing processes originated from the Toyota Production System and their attempt to reduce different types of waste in the manufacturing process. The most common manufacturing wastes identified are waiting, transport, motion, inventory, defects, over-processing, over production and skills. Regardless of industry sectors served or end product types, these “wastes” have the potential to impact any manufacturing business.
Undeniably, these processes start from within, but we are sure that our knowledgeable and experienced team can help you achieve your manufacturing goals.
Skills
We have a knowledgeable, multi-lingual sales and customer services team on hand to share their expertise and find the right solution for you. Our production operatives are multi-machined trained with an impressive level of skill and experience. They ensure your material meets your exact production needs.
Inventory
You will have no need to store excess materials when you take advantage of our just in time service. With over 815 tonnes of material in stock, established mill connections and extensive in-house processing available, you can rely on us to deliver all your material, how and when you need it.
Over Production
We order large volumes of material, ensuring we can offer you the best price, no matter how much you need. With low minimum order quantities and test samples available, you can order only what you need.
Over Processing
With one of the largest processing facilities in Europe, you can have your material delivered in custom widths and lengths to suit your end products. With ready to use material, you can effectively reduce costs, time and resources through minimising your storage needs, unnecessary downtime and material waste.
Defects
Our customers rely on us to cut costs, without compromising quality. As a result, we only stock materials from approved sources and supply test certificates as standard. Our robust quality control system includes inspecting all materials on arrival and prior to despatch.
Transport
With our transparent pricing, you can easily make the decision that best suits your business. You can choose from your own or our established global network of freight providers You can also collect from our conveniently located sites in the UK and Belgium.
Waiting
We stock over 2500 items as standard and deliver over 3000 tonnes of material every year, to 61 counties around the globe. You can be confident that with our extensive stock range, processing capabilities and flexible transport options, you won’t be waiting for your order.
Motion
With bespoke processing and packaging tailored to your processes, our material can be supplied ready to use. You also won’t need to spend additional time removing and disposing of unnecessary packaging materials.
Knight Strip Metals Ltd (KSM) was established as a family run business in North London 1940, with origins as a spring manufacturer. Recognising the growing need for consistent high quality strip, KSM expanded both its stock and processing capabilities, becoming the reliable source that UK manufacturers could count on. Today, KSM has an impressive global customer base across a number of sectors. Through increasing our standard stock profile, exclusive supply agreements with recognised mills and extending its metal stockholding and processing facilities, KSM continues to evolve to meet the changing needs and challenges facing manufacturers. As one of the largest independent precision strip and processors in Europe, with over 75 years of metallurgy expertise, we are the supplier of choice when it comes to quality and reliability. From our Birmingham production and warehouse facility, we supply a wide range of popular grades and specialty alloys including:
Knight Precision Wire Ltd (KPW) specialises in the processing, stockholding and supply of quality precision wire to demanding industries worldwide. KPW has been supporting industry since the 1960s, and has developed a worldwide customer base with quality conscious companies. KPW stocks an exceptionally wide range of speciality wire, which combined with the company’s extensive processing capabilities ensure that we can reliably meet your wire requirement. Additionally, our technical and materials experience enable us to provide effective solutions to your wire problems.
Over recent years KPW has expanded its expertise and product range with the acquisition of several successful manufacturers of niche products. Our well-known brands include:
Since 1975 Precision Metals EU (PM) have been providing dedicated stockholding and processing services to manufacturers across Europe. Utilising the knowledge, expertise and resources of its sister companies, Knight Strip Metals Ltd and Knight Precision Wire Ltd, Precision Metals EU has independently established itself as a key precision metals supplier in the European manufacturing chain.
Offering both popular alloy grades as standard and sourcing rare materials to support niche sectors and applications, PM has the precision strip and wire solutions to meet your needs.