Sheffield Forgemasters, the UK’s only manufacturer of large cast and forged components for nuclear power programmes, has agreed to trial The Quorum Principle approach for its digital transformation.
The Quorum Principle is a collaborative framework, designed to address systemic problems that can hinder manufacturing transformation projects, bringing finance, operations, and engineering functions together.
Sheffield Forgemasters’ management aims to reduce internal silos between departments as it transforms its operations through the roll-out of digital systems which will run through its entire operations.
Gary Nutter, Chief Executive at Sheffield Forgemasters, said: “We’ve seen substantial investment by the Government to increase our capacity for defence manufacture.
“As part of this recapitalisation, we are developing an ERP strategy, whilst also simultaneously developing a smart manufacturing strategy. The recapitalisation programme is a no-fail enterprise, and a trial of The Quorum Principle approach aims to support the transformation of our digital assets.”
Following its acquisition by the UK Ministry of Defence in 2021, Sheffield Forgemasters embarked on a comprehensive modernisation programme to underpin its manufacture for the UK’s defence programmes.
The Digital Transformation work-stream encompasses enterprise resource planning (ERP), manufacturing execution systems (MES), product lifecycle management (PLM) and smart factories.
The Quorum Principle, created by Industry 4.0 thought leader John Robinson, addresses what Robinson identifies as a systemic problem in global manufacturing: the silos that exist between strategy, IT, operational technology, engineering, and operational excellence within manufacturers, compounded by insufficient collaboration between external solution providers.
Under the new approach, Sheffield Forgemasters is establishing a Centre of Excellence that brings together internal stakeholders to collaborate on the transformation programme.
“The systemic problem is not just within a single enterprise – it’s across multiple enterprises, where entire supply chains are not in sync because the organisations that make them up are all siloed and don’t have access to each other’s data,” said Robinson.
“Manufacturing is a complex system, and no single vendor has the complete solution.”
The approach is designed to work across the solution provider ecosystem, from startups to multinational vendors, systems integrators, and consulting firms.
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
