Derry to host global manufacturing event

The Manufacturing Excellence Roundtable event will see the city host a dozen global companies including Weetabix, Diageo, Beam, Danone, Heinz and Akzo Nobel.

The event has previously been hosted in Spain and England.

Two local manufacturing representatives have successfully lobbied for it to be held in Derry. Paul Kirkpatrick, of DuPont, and David Rogers ,from Competitive Capabilities International, have both worked together to secure the event.

Sixty senior managers and global experts will gather to discuss their challenges in becoming world class manufacturing companies and will visit DuPont in Maydown. DuPont is leading the way in implementing lean manufacturing through the ‘TRACC’ system.

‘TRACC’ is a world-leading manufacturing and supply chain improvement system.

It integrates methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma and Supply Chain Optimisation into one improvement process and empowers entire work forces to improve their own businesses and achieve manufacturing and supply chain excellence.

DuPont will host a site tour and a question and answer session on how they’ve become a global benchmark in efficiency.

“DuPont are really proud to be hosting the event and showcasing the good work done at Maydown to secure our reputation as a global leader in manufacturing,” said Paul Kirkpatrick.

“There’s a great sense of pride to have created and grown this event, and then to have been able to bring it back to Derry.

“It’s a positive indication of the current and potential manufacturing capability in the area and also the city’s viability as a conference location,” said David Rogers.

The event will take place in the City Hotel on March 15 and 16 and it is hoped that international delegates will stay on and enjoy the National festivities around St Patrick’s Day.