The Link - Brammer

1 Ian Ritchie Managing DirectorThe newsletter from the UK s leading supplier of MRO products and services Issue LinkForeword2011 is a year we are looking forward to with cautious optimism. As all areas of manufacturing look set for growth, the sector is once again forecast to outperform the rest of the economy, as was seen in 2010. That doesn t mean manufacturing industry can rest on its laurels. Manufacturers face an almost unprecedented set of performance improvement challenges and those companies who continue to innovate and maximise operational efficiency will be the ones that succeed in the post-recession manufacturing this issue of The link we will be focusing on the crucial role a planned approach to maintenance and asset management can play in optimising plant performance.

2 David Strydom, editor of Food Processing, provides a further insight into asset management in our Straight Talk feature on the back will also be celebrating some highlights of 2010. The annual Brammer Manufacturing Forum and Awards took place October and was a huge success for a full report on the seminars, awards and attendees see page three. On behalf of all the team at Brammer I would like to extend our best wishes for a continued manufacturing led recovery in strategic partnership agreement has been announced between Brammer and Parker Hannifin, the world s largest diversified manufacturer of motion and control agreement is designed to significantly extend the support and product availability to customers throughout the fluid power sector and to target growth in key MRO markets.

3 Ian Ritchie, Managing Director of Brammer UK, explained: This is an exciting development as the economy returns to growth. There is a natural synergy between our two companies in the MRO sector, with Parker s extensive product portfolio being complemented by our specialised knowledge of distribution. Charly Saulnier, President Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Parker Hannifin added: This partnership will enable us to benefit from Brammer s international expertise, while giving Brammer fast access to our extensive portfolio of fluid power technologies.

4 For our customers in the MRO sector this will result in even higher levels of service and support, and will enhance our ability to help them increase the productivity, efficiency and profitability of their business operations. Strategic fluid power partnership announced Together, we have the ability both to deliver an exceptional range of advanced fluid power technologies, backed by fast and efficient product supply and technical service facilities, and to give customers crucial ongoing support as the economy begins to return to growth.

5 Ian Ritchie, Managing Director Brammer Chief Executive of Brammer , Ian Fraser (left) with Charly Saulnier, President Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Parker HannifinA toast to contract successLatest newsA major contract to supply a full range of MRO products to brewing and distilling giant Diageo has been clinched by Brammer following a highly competitive process involving several MRO suppliers. The deal covers 37 facilities in Scotland, four in Northern Ireland, and the packaging, canning and bottling plant at Runcorn in won the contract based on its ability to offer a complete partnership approach, Brammer goes to IcelandBrammer has confirmed its commitment to its growing customer base in Iceland with the formation of a dedicated Icelandic in Reykjavik.

6 Brammer Island ehf is geared to supporting Brammer s existing Icelandic customers in the metals sector as well as developing new business at other large manufacturing facilities within the metals, power generation and food team is led by Managing Director, Michael Wallwork, who prior to joining Brammer in early 2010, spent more than 15 years in senior management across various roles in global engineering. With a Masters and Bachelors degree in Business Management and aerospace Engineering, Michael held general management positions in Canada, Germany and the UK before relocating to has confirmed its ethical business approach by achieving membership of an independent organisation for companies committed to the continuous improvement of the ethical performance of their supply the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange is a not-for-profit membership organisation, based in London.

7 But open to companies anywhere in the world. Brynn Woods, Purchasing & Distribution Director at Brammer UK, explained: Many manufacturing customers now use ethical business practices as a key criterion in selecting MRO suppliers. SEDEX membership provides independent recognition of our commitment to maintaining and furthering robust ethical practices in our supply chain and a further guarantee to both existing and potential customers that Brammer operates ethically in all areas of its business. An ethical approachwhich would offer significant added value, well beyond simply saving costs on individual McCartney, Supplier Performance Manager at Diageo, explained: Brammer s response in the opening months of this venture has been fantastic.

8 Their expertise in sourcing and technical know-how, strengthened by the network of industry experts at its disposal, gives us a real opportunity to reduce our operating costs significantly. 2 Alastair Campbell, the former Labour spokesman and communications strategist, was the host of the 2010 annual Brammer Manufacturing Forum and Awards Lunch. The event, held at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum and entitled Manufacturing our Future , was attended by more than 100 senior delegates from all sectors of UK manufacturing.

9 The keynote address was given by Steve Radley, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the manufacturers organisation EEF, who explored the future for UK manufacturing in the post-recession Campbell hosts annual Manufacturing Forum Ian Ritchie (right), Managing Director of Brammer UK, presents Kevin Parkin (second left) and Duncan Hay (third left) of engineering firm DavyMarkham with the Brammer sponsored Operations & Maintenance Award at The Manufacturer Awards 2010 with guest speaker lord Digby Jones (left).

10 The annual event was attended by companies across all sectors of industry to highlight the diversity and strength of UK Ritchie commented: As a major sponsor of the awards, we are delighted to support The Manufacturer in its quest to demonstrate that the UK manufacturing industry has a resilient and vibrant future. On behalf of Brammer I would like to congratulate the team at DavyMarkham for their achievements and dedication to continuous improvement .Award successTwo further thought-provoking seminars were hosted by Alan France, Operations Director of Idhammer Systems, on Operational Excellence in Manufacturing, Maintenance & Asset Management , and Dr Keivan Zokaei of Warwick University on Continuous Improvement in Procurement & Supply Chain Strategies.