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FARMERS and the SPRA Conference

Friday 26th April 2002

FARMERS was please when Dr John Wilcox of the Institute of Materials invited one of our engineers, Adrian Marks, to present at the Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association conference entitled, “Improving Profitability in a Global Market” on 30th April 2002. Adrian was asked to give an analysis of, “Understanding and exploiting technology.” A summary of the presentation is provided below.

FARMERS is a continually developing organization and through a committed and dynamic approach to its activities has achieved remarkable success. Currently the company enjoys increased turnover and profits with a complementary reduction in unit costs year on year. In addition increased capacity has enabled exports to 23 countries world wide. Now seen as a global leader, this success so far has only served to drive the organization on an ambitious plan over the forthcoming years.

The main drivers for FARMERS have been marketing and understanding what our customers need and want, in conjunction with the development of coherent strategies and plans. Also realizing that the people and teams that form the company are the catalysts for change and the deliverers of success, they have been both a focus and a driver of the organization. These drivers have been supported by a focused determination that embodies the FARMERS ethos.

Key to the success of FARMERS has been the understanding and exploitation of technology. This has been achieved by developing a culture of innovation within the organization, technology transfer, developing partnerships, and a drive for quality and continuous improvement.

The results have been clearly demonstrated through FARMERS having the World’s first fully automated twine extrusion line incorporating single tape construction, round profile, guaranteed min. length. Whilst the twines are constructed of 100% high performance Polypropylene (PP) to FDA and European food regulations. In addition the development of our Netwrap with award winning technology has enabled the environmental benefit of less material used in conjunction with increased performance of this technical textile. This work has been advanced with the major developments made in knitting technology at FARMERS.

Integral to this strategy of utilising technology has been the development of partnerships. This has been typified through the highly successfully TCS Programme the company has engaged in with the Polymer Processing Research Centre at the Queen’s University of Belfast. In addition there has been close collaboration with local college, the Polymer Training Organisation and professional institutions. This has extended to collaborative partnerships with machine manufacturers, material suppliers and customers. The effect of these partnerships has resulted in remarkable success and achievements.

Ultimately even if technology is transferred or developed within the organisation it is only as effective as its exploitation. This has been delivered at FARMERS through a clear commitment of time and resources. Furthermore the full time training officer executes a programme to develop the skills and abilities of all our staff to ensure ease of integration and use of technology with the organisation. Central to the successful exploitation of technology has been the development of a culture of innovation at FARMERS, where new ideas are encouraged and sought. This is supported by an effective preventative maintenance plan ensuring reliability and consistency of production.

However even if you understand technology and can exploit it there is the requirement that it has been target to the specific point of need. It is through the drive for quality and continuous improvement that the pertinent issues of the organisation can be identified and subsequently addressed.

In conclusion technology has been a key differentiator for FARMERS and has been achieved through a culture of innovation. The development of partnerships has given us the ability and resources to perform like a large organisation with the responsive qualities of a small company. Delivering this strategy through good systems and training has ultimately enabled growth, increased quality, efficiency and profitability.