Yorkshire Productivity Awards Go from Strength to Strength

Yorkshire Productivity Recognises Manufacturing Efficiency. The significant steps being taken by manufacturing companies to improve their efficiency and competitiveness have been recognised at the Yorkshire Productivity Awards 2005.

Yorkshire Productivity was formed by Virtual, the Ilkley-based blended learning company, to champion improving productivity within the highly competitive manufacturing sector. The 'club' members receive cost effective, specialised training in 'lean manufacturing' techniques and share best practice through events, presentations and shop floor visits - all held at members' factories.

Created just two years ago, there are now over 60 member companies of Yorkshire Productivity representing around 20,000 employees. Last year, over 900 courses were delivered to over 9,000 members of staff.

Companies are reporting tangible improvements in their productivity such as "a 30% increase in throughput", "labour costs reduced by over £100,000" and "staff turn-over at the lowest rate ever."

The Yorkshire Productivity Awards 2005 ceremony took place at the Metropole Hotel, Leeds on 5th April 2005.

Presenting the awards, Linda Pollard, Chair of the Learning and Skills Council's regional board, reinforced the need for a continuing focus on manufacturing competitiveness.

She said: "A highly trained and skilled workforce is the foundation on which to build a strong manufacturing base. The LSC is committed to improving the skills of individuals to make sure that we have a workforce that is of world-class standards. Yorkshire Productivity's key focus is on improving productivity through modern manufacturing goals set for our regions future development."

Alistair Gladstone, Business Development Manager at Yorkshire Productivity, commented: "Training is at the heart of maintaining the UK's position at the forefront of this increasingly competitive sector. It is a pleasure to be able to reward those companies that have used Yorkshire Productivity's training programs to develop their staff and increase their efficiencies."

Yorkshire Productivity Awards for 2005 were presented to: