Current and Completed Projects
Current/Recent Projects
Dr. J.R.Thomas Associates have recently:
- Co-ordinated a 5S and Value-stream mapping project for Smurfit Kappa at their Mold, North Wales. Corrugated packaging plant.
- Undertaken a Value-stream mapping project for Tȳ Mawr Lime of Brecon, during which significant cost-reduction opportunities were identified.
- Co-ordinated a 5S project for Chivas Bros. of Dunbarton – a leading player in the Scotch Whisky Industry.
- Ran a workshop on Value-Stream Mapping for the Engineering faculty at University of Wales Trinity St. Davids.
- Delivered Time Management courses for key leaders at market-leading Cruise specialists Cruise Nation Ltd.
- Led a Lean programme for leading chimney manufacturers Brickfab at their facility in Pontypool.
- Throughout 2018-2020, undertook regular business diagnostic studies on behalf of Enterprise Professional Services Ltd.
- In 2017/2019 led a 5S programme for Roberts of Port Dinorwic who develop and produce quality, award-winning prepared dishes at their facility on the banks of the Menai Strait in North Wales.
Client quote …
Mr. Martin Topps, HR Manager, Roberts of Port Dinorwic.
“We were introduced to 5S methodology by Dr John Thomas of Dr. John R, Thomas Associates consultancy. The project is in its early stages and is now starting to gather momentum. The results are evident and are having a positive impact across the factory.
We are regularly audited by our customers and we hope that as well as improving safety and efficiency, we hope that we have a positive impact on our customers.”
Range of courses offered:
Click on the schematic below to reveal the range of courses we are able to offer.
Completed Projects
Over recent years Dr. J.R.Thomas Associates have:
- Designed and led an extensive Lean manufacturing improvement project for the UK’s leading packaging manufacturer D.S.Smith Packaging at 24 locations throughout the UK. These projects make extensive use of World Class manufacturing techniques such as Workplace Organisation (Including co-ordinating an extensive 5S programme throughout the company), Quick Changeovers (S.M.E.D.) , Total Productive Maintenance and Value-Stream mapping.
Client quote …
Mr. Graham Coles, Plant Manager, D.S. Smith Kettering.
“ Dr John’s programmes are a very easily accepted Paradigm with an engaged workforce, his concept can be tailored to bring out the best in individuals and teams, John always uses techniques to suit his audience”
- Managed a Lean programme for leading instrument manufacturers British Rototherm and Caerbont Automotive under the auspices of the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF). Both projects delivered significant gains in Productivity and Quality.
Client quote ..
Mr. Mike Grimwood, Managing Director, Peters Food Services.
“Firstly and most importantly I should like to thank you (belatedly) for the second project management segment. Without exaggerating I am already convinced that it has been the single most beneficial series of training workshops I have seen in my years in business. The guys have caught the concept and have been practicing application from day 1.. interestingly in Food Service where additional sales contracts requiring additional routes has been a key agenda item; or ranging is being reviewed we’re off to a flying start.
So again many thanks. Mike.”
- Co-ordinated a strategy development programme for electronics manufacturer DBK Technitherm.
- Ran a Total Productive Maintenance and Quick changeover programme for Texturing Technologies Ltd. at the Tata Steel Site at Margam.
- In response to major changes to the market requirements that the company have experienced, Dr. John R. Thomas Associates ran a major 5S/SMED Changeover time reduction programme for the UK’s leading plastic container manufacturers RPC : This resulted in significant capacity increases, service level improvements and profit generation to the client due to the considerable time and cost savings generated by the project.
- Ran a long-term Lean programme for high quality printers and bookbinders Cambrian printers.
- Ran a Lean manufacturing improvement programme for Optical lens specialist manufacturers Lenstec Optical in Caerphilly.
- Ran a Lean manufacturing improvement programme for Altron Communications Equipment Ltd.
- Co-ordinated 2 Lean projects in the supply chain of the Scotch Whisky Industry.
- A Process analysis project to develop better control systems for the key process variables of the Jaffa cake manufacturing line at Burtons foods resulted in significant quality and performance improvements through use of techniques such as Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (F.M.E.A.) and POKA YOKE (Fool-proofing).
- Other Lean projects completed for Safety Letterbox, Excel Engineering, Carlisle Brake products, Labelgraphics, De La Rue and Northern Automotive Systems
Strategic Alliance with Dr. Rhian M. Thomas
Dr. John R. Thomas are delighted to welcome on board a new Associate. After working together on several successful projects it became clear that our diverse skill sets were complementary and offered our customers a broader range of...
How far are you from ‘World Class’?
In the post-Covid world it is critical that operations are using the most effective working procedures and techniques. Using inferior practises could mean the difference between success and failure of your enterprise. How ‘World Class’ is your operation? Take the...
Coming back from Covid.
DEVELOPING A RECOVERY PLAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS. It is important for all businesses to undertake a strategic review to identify key aspects that may have been affected by the pandemic. The following questionnaire identifies where companies need to refocus their business...
We provide Blue Chip business consultancy at affordable prices.
We are a company with many years of experience in a wide range of industries, dedicated to help you improve your profitability. Our role is to help maximise the contribution that people can make to improve their own companies and be the catalyst of improvement...
Cyrsiau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg/ Courses through the medium of Welsh
Posted on January 15, 2017 by Dr J Thomas Yn dilyn cyfres o gyrsiau llwyddiannus i sefydliadau megis Bwrdd Yr iaith Gymraeg, S4C a Menter a Busnes mae gan Dr. John R. Thomas Associates bortffolio o gyrsiau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg, gan gynnwys : Ceir modiwlau sy’n...
Cambridge University : Institute for Manufacturing
Dr John R. Thomas is a member of a team that is responsible for developing innovative services to support manufacturing businesses on behalf of the Institute for Manufacturing at Cambridge University. He specialises in advising small and medium-sized manufacturers...
Public sector projects undertaken by Dr. John R. Thomas Associates.
Dr. John R. Thomas Associates undertook a major systems analysis and improvement project for the Welsh Joint Education Committee's examination paper production and logistics system. Yn dilyn prosiectau llwyddiannus yn y gorffenol, gofynwyd i Dr. John R. Thomas...
Train the Trainer Programmes.
Following the launch of the successful 'Train the Trainer' programmes, several organisations have contracted Dr. John R. Thomas Associates to run trainer development programmes. (Details of this programme are outlined in the website). These include : Texturing...
Public Courses
An exciting and timely new course is scheduled to be launched : LEAN APPROACHES FOR LEAN TIMES : ENSURING THE PUBLIC SECTOR DELIVERS VALUE FOR MONEY SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENTS. Day 1 : Leadership skills for Lean Times ! In this session we get current and...
Leadership development courses
Current Management development programmes : 1. A six month management development programme was run in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2014 across 3 sites for Abbey Board : the U.K.’s largest sheetfeeder. This initiative involved training and mentoring a team of people...
International projects
Dr John R. Thomas Associates undertook a major Lean Manufacturing Project for a leading Insulation panel manufacturer in Nijmegen in the Netherlands . This programme focused on maximising throughput and minimising waste from the process. This has now been extended to...
The Lean Leader : The L² Initiative.
bjective of the Lean Leader initiative. We have constructed a programme that combines... Developing a range of hard skills based on key Lean Manufacturing methodologies that the Leaders would need in their roles, with…. Developing the soft skills of Leadership that...
Reach Us
South Wales
07900 982524
drjohnthomas19@gmail.com