Chillblast
Project challenges
Chillblast, the UK’s most awarded PC manufacturer, approached the MTC to support in the development of existing operations to maximise output in a sustainable manner.
Business challenge
Process Innovation
Sector
Agrifood
Technology or capability
Process Design
People development and workplace organisation to increase productivity and maximise workshop space.
Chillblast, the UK’s most awarded PC manufacturer, approached the MTC to support in the development of existing operations to maximise output in a sustainable manner.
The Challenge
Chillblast, based in the South of England, has built a reputation as a leading manufacturing of gaming desktops. In 2019, a new Operations Manager role was created and Chillblast saw this as an opportunity to overhaul its internal processes to better manage the workforce and reorganise the workshop to create a more efficient production process flow to cope with surges in demand at certain points of the year.
Through its connections with the BCP Council and the Dorset Engineering and Manufacturing Cluster (DEMC), Chillblast
became aware of how the MTC’s Manufacturing Support Services (MSS) help manufacturing SMEs to raise productivity levels and de-risk technology investments.
Chillblast approached the MTC to advise on supporting the development of existing operations to maximise output in a sustainable manner as well as managing the review of production KPIs and bringing an awareness of 5S, Visual Management and workplace organisation.
MTC's Solution
After initial discussions and workshop tours, the MSS team quickly established that it could support Chillblast to grow its turnover in a facility that the business thought it had hit its threshold in.
Working with the leadership team, MSS identified a series of workplace organisation tactics including introducing control boards, production targets, clearly defining roles and responsibilities, standardisation of documentation, and improving overall communication across the business.
The MSS team also worked directly with the new Operations Manager to support his own personal development. Previously a Logistic Manager for Chillblast, individual came into the role with extensive knowledge of the business, but limited experience in managing production.
To better maximise the workspace, production line and inventory, the MTC provided a plan to help Chillblast understand the current and potential production capability to create a production schedule to be shared with the team.
Everything changed for myself in my new role as Operations Manager when we engaged with the MTC team and Darren in particular. There were a number of challenges when I arrived, however Darren was able to identify some clear fundamental process and structural changes that I have been able to implement and helped us to look at the manufacture process from a different perspective.
Marcin Gierkowski, Operations Manager - Chillblast
Supporting the team at Chillblast has been fantastic. With the business demand continuing to grow, there was a lack of understanding and experience on how to really drive the
processes and develop the team to become more efficient. The team are continuing to drive change and develop their processes to improve their lead times. They are now in a
better position to understand the potential of how different technologies could be used to continue to support Chillblast to go from strength to strength.
Darren Massingham, Senior MTC Advisor, Business Transformation
Benefits to the Client
Increased manufacturing productivity and an improved ability to cope with surges in demand including an unprecedented rise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a record year of sales.
Better utilisation of space and new internal process led to increased efficiencies enabling the business to grow its turnover within the existing facility.
Knowledge sharing and supporting the development of the Operations Manager has helped the business successfully change behaviours and grow its workforce by over 40%, bringing its new Customer Services team in-house to meet demand.
Improved business communication has created a more motivated workforce and successfully developed internal resource.
