June 2015 Newsletter

Best Practice Network  June 2015 Newsletter
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GROWING YOUR NETWORK IS OUR BUSINESS
Welcome to our June Newsletter. As I continue to get out and About and meet with Best Practice Network current and potential members, I have realised that what we do is in essence grow your network of contacts. Having a wide range of contacts will give you opportunities to see new insights to your challenges, but also inspiration and support from industry peers.

Last week, I visited 2 very successful Australian manufacturing companies that are competing on the global stage and growing. Key factors in both companies were strong innovation mindset , adoption of lean principles and engagement of their employees.

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REFUEL INTERNATIONAL SENIOR LEADERS BREAKFAST
Our Senior Leaders Breakfast was hosted by Refuel International who specialise in the design, development and manufacture of a broad range of refuelling vehicles, equipment and support services across the globe. They are the preferred partner of major oil companies worldwide, into plane operators and military defence organisations. Refuel International have Innovation and Collaboration as the central focus of their business strategy. Their emphasis is on delivering solutions for their customers, not products.

NISSAN CASTING PLANT DANDENONG
The Nissan Casting Plant in Dandenong makes 39 different castings for 38 Renault-Nissan Alliance cars including aluminium oil pans, gearbox housings, differential housings as well as high-precision components for the Nissal Leaf electric car. Every casting made at the plant is identiable by a small kangaroo – a mark of pride for Nissan Australia. All of these cast components are exported to Nissan’s global production facilities in Japan, the United States and South Korea, Thailand and the United Kingdom, generating $65 million in revenue for Nissan Australia.
I was impressed when my host, a senior manager, explained why he was late for our meeting. A part of his leaders standard work is to regularly roll up his sleeves and work with plant personnel in TPM and machine cleaning.
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INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION WORKSHOP
I also participated in a 3 day Innovation and Collaboration Workshop at the Food Innovation Centre. This was a very practical hands-on approach to engage your teams to help them uncover fresh insights and unlock their creative thinking to develop new products – particularly for export into Asia. We have a 1/2 day visit to this World Class facility on 7 July 2015. Flyer Attached.

CONGRATULATIONS AUSTRALIAN TUBE MILLS
Congratulations to Australian Tube Mills for winning the annual Endeavour Awards for their efforts in safety and a program for extending safety into their employee homes. Â Pictured above are Mark Kisielewski, Steve Robson, Gary Marr and Brett Perrin. This event was part of a very busy Manufacturing Week recently held in Melbourne.


CONGRATULATIONS ANNA
Congratulations also goes to Anna Reid, Victorian Manufacturing  Operations Manager Asahi Premium Beverages, for winning the Young Achievers Award as part of the Victorian Manufacturers Hall of Fame Awards.
We are planning to have site visits to both Australian Tube Mills and Asahi Premium Beverages over the next few months and we look forward to seeing their excellence initiatives.
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FOOD SAFETY SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP
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Picture are the participants doing a Gemba Audit at Sugar Australia as part of their Food Safety Session. Here is some event feedback from both participant and host perspective.

“It was great to be part of a cross-industry food safety session which allowed some quality thinking/sharing outside the dairy industry.”
Damian Kruger, Quality Manager Fonterra Stanhope
“I have debriefed with my team and my guys got a lot out of the day. It has reaffirmed our plans and also given us some new ideas.”
Brett Carey, Operations Manager Sugar Australia
One of the interesting topics discussed was the issue of Food Defence and how we should prepare our facilities for any unforeseen events. You may find the following link of value:
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DECODING LEADERSHIPSHIP-WHAT REALLY MATTERS
A recent global survey by McKinsey has revealed that four kinds of behaviour account for 89 % of leadership effectiveness
  • Be supportive
  • Operate with a strong results orientation
  • Seek different perspectives
  • Solve problems effectively
One of our members recently told me that his business performance is 60% people (leadership)
 
focused and 40% technology focussed.
 
Dive in for more detail

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NETWORKING GOLF DAY 4 September 2015
A networking golfing afternoon at Huntingdale Golf Club has been arranged for us by Keith Smith, Operations Manager CSR Viridian. Â We have 12 places for this. Please let me know if you would like to come. Â (a great opportunity to continue you networking and keep you golf game up to scratch!
DETAILS
Friday 4 September 2014
Huntingdale Golf Club, Windsor Avenue, South Oakleigh
Light lunch at 12 noon and tee off from 12:30pm
Dinner afterwards
COST
$136 per person (covers green fees, lunch, dinner) plus drinks
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UPCOMING EVENTS – CALENDAR
Please find attached calendar. We have 4 regional Special Interest Group events comping up shortly
16 Jul – Asset Management Special Interest Group at Energy Australia, Yallourn
21 Jul – Gemba Coaching at Fonterra, Darnum
19 Aug – Achieving Sustainable Change at Campbell Soups, Shepparton
26 Aug – Effective Problem Solving at Laminex, Ballarat
Prior to each of these, there will be an informal networking dinner on the night before.
Remember to book early to secure your place as most events are fully subscribed.

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CALL FOR ARTICLES
We are always looking for quality articles and content to include in our monthly eNewsletter and resource section in our website. If you have a good story to tell, a case-study or some other engaging content that you wish to share with BPN members, please send it to us for consideration!

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ASK YOUR NETWORK
If you are searching for a solution to a specific problem or wish to benchmark, your peers are an amazing resource. Your feedback and contributions will help us build a Community of Sharing and Mutual Support that will facilitate your Operational Excellence journey.

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Victor Caune / Network Director

Mobile +61 413 718 986
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Yvonne Hubbard / Network Coordinator

Mobile +61 476 244 500