The global economic slowdown has not deterred Townsville businessman Marcel McLeod investing in his manufacturing company Totalfab – a move
The global economic slowdown has not deterred Townsville businessman Marcel McLeod investing in his manufacturing company Totalfab – a move that will diversify his business and offer other companies the chance to benefit from his skill base.
The 2005 Townsville Chamber of Commerce Young Business Person of the Year, McLeod concedes some companies are pulling back on budgets, but he has identified many new doors opening for the business he started in 2001, thanks to streamlined processes implemented during the past five years in partnership with QMI Solutions.
“We’ve worked with QMI Solutions since 2004 to benchmark our business against others in our field and to introduce a continuous improvement program to increase our production outputs. What that means is we can deliver a more cost-efficient product and service to businesses that are putting contracts up for tender,” he says.
“Historically we’ve done a lot of work with the big mining companies but with some adjustments, a bit of research and development of new skills, we can look at other industries that need steel work or engineering resources.
“Now is not the time to pull the shutters down. I’m committed to upskilling my people and to drive the business forward so we can continue to prosper as we’ve done in the past.”
Totalfab began life as Thuringowa Sheetmetal and Steel Fabrication, with a 100-square-metre workshop set up at the North Queensland Small Business Development Centre.
With rapid growth and demand for products and services outside the Thuringowa area, the business changed its name to Totalfab in 2002, and relocated to a 2,000-sqm site with 600 sqm of workshop space by 2005.
McLeod attended a Government-subsidised QMI Solutions event in 2004 and was introduced to the concept of ‘lean manufacturing’ and ‘5S’.
A not-for-profit organisation, QMI Solutions helps Queensland manufacturers become more competitive through process analysis and improvement, skills development and improved access to major project supply chains.
QMI Solutions works closely with the Queensland Government, including the Townsville Regional Development Centre, to deliver these solutions.
Inspired by the event, McLeod took stock of the company’s position by benchmarking current practices and performance through the Manufacturing Microscope – an assessment tool facilitated by officers from the Townsville RDC.
Through self-assessment questionnaires and facilitated discussions, Totalfab was able to see how it ranked against a cross-section of international companies.
“The Manufacturing Microscope was valuable as it identified our strengths and opportunities for improvement, which we later addressed through the Microscope Action Plan QMI Solutions developed for us,” he says.
He then set about introducing 5S – a structured, systematised approach to housekeeping and regarded as a cornerstone of any world-class manufacturing operation. It involves creating an organised workplace using the five following steps:
- Sort – sorting and removing unnecessary items
- Set in order – a place for everything and everything in its place
- Shine – cleaning the work area
- Standards – establishing the rules and standards
- Sustain – maintaining the standards in a disciplined way.
“That started us on the journey to manufacturing excellence and since then we’ve consistently examined our procedures and made further positive changes to ensure staff don’t work excessive hours and clients receive great value and service,” McLeod says.
“The business is now in a position to target new industries, such as construction, by becoming a second-tier supplier in major projects.
“The positive to come out of the economic slowdown is we have a bit more time to position ourselves in these type of industries and to upskill our people.”
Thirteen staff from Totalfab will attend QMI Solution’s ‘How to shape up your shop floor’ clinic on March 12 at Rydges Southbank in Townsville.
Other manufacturers keen to understand best practice techniques and procedures such as 5S are encouraged to enrol to give their businesses the best chance of weathering the economic storm.
For more information about the event contact QMI Solutions North Queensland representative Mario Martini on 4799 7594 or email info@qmisolutions.com.au.