As Benders Paper Cups continues to drive its Lean Manufacturing initiative through the business, the company is preparing to roll out a formal Lean programme, with the support of XR Training, to the entire workforce in a bid to cement the standardisation of its processes and continuous improvement initiatives. This latest move is part of Bender’s ongoing commitment to the development of a continous improvement culture and a true learning environment.
In recent years, the leading paper cup company has developed an extensive training plan, utilising Welsh Assembly funding. The plan covers both internal and external training which is carried out with the support and expert guidance of a number of training providers including local further education establishment, Cambria College and XR Training. Providers have delivered bespoke courses for Benders’ employees covering a wide range of subjects including IT, Health & Safety, Leadership, Customer Service and Engineering.
Benders, in conjunction with the Welsh Union Learning Fund (WULF) Project, has set up a Union Learning Centre on site giving access to learning to all employees. The company also benefits from a Union Learning Fund which supports a variety of courses taught both internally and externally, including Italian, Spanish, Bike Mending and Cookery. Employees are encouraged to take these courses by the company’s union learning representatives as part of the company’s ongoing health and wellbeing initiatives which aims to support each individual’s personal development as well as to promote learning in the workplace.
Julie Dunlop, HR manager at Benders, says that the latest initiatives further endorse a programme the company embarked on over three years ago when it conducted a survey of all employees to better understand training needs: “The senior management team was keen to listen, understand and give commitment to help staff progress.
“These managers committed to completing coaching and mentoring courses themselves which has led to a more consistent management style. The resolution was made that any member of staff who wanted help with his or her development would be given access to training and further education.
“The Lean Manufacturing programme complements Benders’ positioning as a mentoring and learning company as it introduces a standardisation of processes and frees up more time.”
With approximately 125 staff, including a growing number of apprentices, Benders is the paper cup manufacturing arm of the largest cup group in Europe. Its range includes super premium hot cups, barrier insulated cups, single wall bio-board cups, single wall vending cups and single wall ‘coffee to go’ cups.
For further information on Benders and its products, log on to www.benders.co.uk or call 01978 855661
