Crewe-based manufacturer, CHK plc, is benefiting from annual cost savings of £14,300 after working with ENWORKS partner, Groundwork Cheshire.

CHK makes bespoke and often one-off, heavy steel components for articulated vehicles and agricultural machinery. It has been working with Groundwork Cheshire since 2009, as part of the ENWORKS programme.

Established in 1964 and occupying a 7,000 m^₂ site, CHK supplies to high profile clients such as Leyland Trucks. Following an on-site resource efficiency review, £35,000 in potential annual cost savings were identified.

As part of its commitment to best practice the company already had an effective switch-off policy for lighting and programmed laser cutting settings to optimise the use of steel plates in production.

A further £14,000 in annual gas bill savings has now been made by rescheduling production through the paint curing oven, with an associated reduction in CO₂ emissions of 73 tonnes a year.

On the recommendation of the ENWORKS adviser, production schedules were altered in a way that halved daily operating times but had no impact on end-to-end manufacturing times.

A compressed air leak survey has also led to additional annual savings and CHK is continuing to work through the remaining recommendations from its ENWORKS review, prioritising low cost opportunities until trading conditions improve.

The annual savings will continue to accrue, year-on-year, and the company has already benefited from savings of £15,100 to date, from a minimal capital investment of £250.

'On the right track'

Managing director, Alan Pinkney said: "In the last 18 months, Groundwork Cheshire has helped improve our profitability during some very tough times, so my advice is to act now and book a free efficiency audit.

"Our adviser has provided us with solid, practical advice and support. It’s good to know we were on the right track and we’ll certainly invest in making further efficiency savings in the future."

CHK plc is now working with Groundwork Cheshire, a key ENWORKS partner, to realise further identified efficiency savings of £23,800 a year.

Posted 8 December 2010