Invest Northern Ireland has helped a Lurgan-based firm save £335,000 through a successful programme of continuous improvement aimed at cutting energy and lead time costs.

Salmor Industries manufactures a range of products including manhole frames, cable protection, and steel and concrete-filled covers for underground utility chambers. It supplies a range of industry sectors including water, electricity and communication.

Invest NI provided support for Salmor Industries to employ a Business Improvement Agent for a three year period. The aim for the agent was to generate savings for the business of at least three times his annual salary and this target was exceeded.

As part of the project, a range of business systems were re-evaluated and improved. These included the company's production and assembly operations.

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Michael Wightman, Managing Director of Salmor Industries, said: "As well as generating these significant savings which have made a considerable difference to our profitability, we have increased our overall efficiency and productivity with Invest NI's help.

"We have become more energy efficient by investing in new equipment which helps to reduce the amount of fuel used in the manufacturing function.

"The improved workspace layout in the new factory has made the production process even more streamlined and this has led to savings on overtime costs, as well as reducing lead times and adding value to our customer service.

"The transport of materials throughout the factory has also been improved with new conveyor equipment. This has helped to reduce the amount of time spent waiting on forklifts and productivity has increased as a result."

Niall Casey, Invest NI's Director of Business Improvement Services, said: "Salmor Industries has demonstrated that huge savings can be generated by improving existing systems and introducing new processes.

"The advantages of this type of programme can often be reaped by companies for a long time after the project has completed.

"By encouraging an ethos of continuous improvement, local firms can increase their competitiveness and profitability, and ultimately enhance the value of their products and services."

(PR/JM)