Paul Wilson, Managing Director of Aster Interim Solutions takes up the story, Interim Managers were once exclusively used by the larger companies to aid in company turnaround or implement business re-structuring but are now being used by companies of all types and sizes from both the public and private sector.
Typical reasons why companies may use interim managers include:-
Company turnaround and business restructuring e.g. Company Doctor
Introduction of change management
To bridge a gap to cover for maternity, secondment etc
To provide additional resources when companies need it most such as through periods of dramatic growth or the building of company infrastructure
As a safe pair of hands whilst the replacement of a permanent member of staff is sought following their sudden departure
As a project manager to manage a transition e.g. introduction of new business systems etc.
The UK manufacturing sector has been ravaged since the 1950s by cheap imports resulting in job losses and the gradual transition of our manufacturing base to lower cost geographical areas. Many of the UK manufacturing companies left are now working smarter not harder in an attempt to outwit their competitors.
One of the ways this manifests itself is by the use of specialist interim managers. Whereas Finance and Human Resources have historically been disciplines where companies have used interim managers, businesses are now using interim manufacturing/operations managers to help them in their efforts to implement philosophies such as six sigma and lean manufacturing.
Lean Manufacturing Implementation Is A Challenge Lean manufacturing offers many mental challenges for all levels in an organization. First of all believing there are wastes in the system is a challenge. People have a safe territory. They do not want to leave it. People are very comfortable in this territory, whether it is truly good or assumed to be good. Understanding the fact, there are wastes to be removed from the system offers a threat to the safety of this comfort zone. People therefore are not willing to come out of this, unless they see something they cant resist. For an example people will not see their high work in progress as a w ..
Many UK manufacturing companies are now using interim managers to provide their business with manufacturing best practise. By using the experience of the interim manager companies can become a leaner and fitter business in a shorter period of time than they would otherwise have been achieved.
In addition, the cost of hiring the interim manager is tangible and only temporary. This makes the interim proposition very attractive for a number of our clients.
This all goes to demonstrate, perhaps the strategic use of Interim Managers can provide our remaining UK manufacturers with a powerful weapon in their bid to stave off low cost offshore competition.
About The Author
Thomas R. Cutler Founder of Manufacturing Media Consortium Joins Committee of Concerned Journalists Committee of Concerned Journalists new member Thomas R. Cutler Founder of Manufacturing Media Consortium
Thomas R. Cutler, the nation s leading manufacturing journalist, has joined The Committee of Concerned Journalists is a consortium of reporters, editors, producers, publishers, owners and academics worried about the future of the profession. To secure journalism s future, the group believes that journalists from all media, geography, rank and generation must be clear about what sets our profession apart from other endeavors. To accomplish this, the group is creating a national conv ..
For further information contact:-
Paul Wilson
Managing Director
Aster Interim Solutions Ltd
http://www.aster-interim.co.uk
Paul WilsonInterim Management provides hope for UK Manufacturing Sector
