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Real Lives
Chris Vessey
Year in Industry (YinI)
University & Course:
Oxford University - Electrical Engineering
A-levels: Chemistry,
Maths, Physics
Employer: KP Foods
Chris's Task: To
minimise landfill costs, so decreasing both the
impact on the environment and waste costs.
The ideal outcome:
Quantifiable cost savings and improvements to the
local environment.
Chris's Approach: Chris
began by painstakingly collecting data on all KP's
waste streams and creating a waste matrix - a tool
that the company had not used before. This indicated
that the Meiji factory generated the largest waste
stream, so he decided to tackle that one first.
The matrix also enabled Chris
to identify parallels in the way in which different
materials were reprocessed. If pellets could be
recycled, he reasoned, why not ropes?
This idea was not an original
one, but it took a new brain to overcome many
previously encountered obstacles by first finding
equipment that would grind the rope waste into a
re-usable powder and then trialing it in the
factory. Every stage had to be undertaken without
damaging the integrity of the brand and Chris
personally managed extensive trials to ensure that
quality levels were maintained and brand standing
was unaffected by the reuse of rope waste.
Collecting the initial data
had established Chris as a serious player in the
Ashby team and his interpersonal skills were
invaluable as he put the project together, liaising
with contractors, arranging quotes, renegotiating
them to obtain more value, and all the while keeping
key operatives informed and involved. In his spare
moments (!) he also undertook a number of essential
risk assessments to ensure that safety, quality and
hygiene standards would be maintained when the new
equipment was introduced, as well as the flavour,
texture, colour, moisture and oil content, which all
contribute to the popularity of the brand.
Having met the quality and
safety requirements, Chris looked at the bottom line
and calculated the costs of labour, storage space,
energy usage, raw ingredient savings and
depreciation. His conclusion was that implementing
his proposal for regrinding rope waste would
guarantee a two-year payback.
Winning characteristics:
Chris's enthusiasm was vital as he brought fresh
thinking to bear on a project that had been
previously been considered desirable but unviable.
His ability to be upfront and share ownership of the
project with key managers and operatives will make
the final installation much easier.
The cost saving on the Meiji
project is estimated at £45,00. Chris has also
revisited his waste matrix and put in hand further
annual savings of over £50,000 in other food waste,
lighting, cardboard and office paper.
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