Jigsaw Business Group expand their network by joining the North East BIC’s Innovation Programme as a supplier.
Following recent awards within the innovation/new product sectors, the team at Jigsaw Business Group are looking to support more businesses in the North East.
Darren Comben, group business development executive at Jigsaw Business Group, said:
“There are so many companies in the North East who have the desire to design, develop, manufacture and bring to market new products and we can help them achieve this. Joining the Innovation Programme as a supplier was the obvious choice for Jigsaw Business Group to help local businesses realise their potential.”
The Innovation Programme, is designed to help North East SME’s realise their innovative possibilities. Innovation adviser, Gillian Middleton explains: “Whether you are looking to be innovative with your products, your services or your business processes our team of internal and external advisers may enable you to take your ideas forward. We are delighted to welcome Jigsaw business Group to our extensive range of suppliers.”
Jigsaw Business Group was previously approached by Applied Component Technology (ACT) to support the launch of a totally new design lightweight aircraft galley cart. This new product had to be completed in just seven months. In addition to the timing challenges the product uses new materials which have not been previously used for such applications and ACTs development and manufacturing experience did not include Aerospace industry. The short development time, limited budget and resource constraints of ACT meant without external support there was no chance to deliver this accelerated development project.
Jigsaw Business Group provided core resources which, together with ACT team members, formed an integrated, collocated project team. We provided Programme Management, launch, purchasing and quality support, as well as Production Management. The project called for immediate concept review, re-design to suit targets, cost base and employing lessons learnt from the automotive experience of both businesses.
Key tools used in product design included DFMEA, QFD & APQP and to keep plant assembly capital cost and expenditure to a minimum, DFM techniques were deployed. The supply base was also revamped to bring in expertise from the Aerospace industries. The result of the teams’ work was that all technical and commercial targets were achieved within the seven months’ development programme.
The product was successfully tested and launched at the Hamburg Air-show.
The impact of this innovative work has been recognised with a number of awards.
EEF/Aldermore Future Manufacturing National Awards
EEF Future Manufacturers Regional Awards
