Hewland News - Company Home Page
	Headlines Single Seat GT/Sportscars DTM/Nascar etc. Rally Company HEWLAND LAUNCH NATIONAL MODERN APPRENTICESHIP TASKFORCE Pippa Lodge and Harry Walker, from Hewland Engineering, helped to launch the new Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Taskforce at 10 Downing Street this week. Chancellor Gordon Brown and Education and Skills Secretary Charles Clarke launched the Taskforce. Harry, the Apprentice Supervisor, and Pippa, a Modern Apprentice (MA), explained the benefits of the MA scheme as they saw it. MAs are training programmes aimed at 16-24 year olds offering young people the chance to learn, earn and train all at once. They are designed to appeal to young people who are eager to get out into the real world. West Berkshire Training Consortium provides the training and support for Hewland Engineering's MA scheme. Harry said "I passionately believe that Modern Apprenticeships are the way forward, and as a work based assessor I can have a large input into teaching the needs of our apprentices at Hewland engineering. I applaud the Learning and Skills Council for encouraging them. Through Modern Apprenticeships we have recruited some talented individuals who have, and will in the future go on to make a significant contribution to Hewland Engineering. Pippa told ministers on the day "I personally feel that the modern apprenticeship scheme is a good one, and one which benefits both the apprentice and the employer. I would recommend other youngsters into the scheme." Autosport 2003, A Great Success. The annual Autosport Engineering show at the NEC, Birmingham, UK, as part of the Autosport show was a great success. The engineering show was much larger than previous years, underlining the UK's pre-emininance in the world of motor sport. From Hewland Engineering's point of view the show was very succesful, meeting many existing customers and making valuable new contacts. Plans are now underway for our participation in 2004! Hewland Investment Continues 31st Oct 2002 Hewland are continuing to invest in new machine tools and processes to further improve quality and service to our customers. The latest addition to the shop floor is a Delapena honing machine. Operations Director Dave Radley says: "The installation will facilitate the honing of the range of gun drilled holes produced by the company to enhance surface finish and minimise dependance on sub contract. The result of this facility will be improve product quality and improve work flow. " Design Director Andy Scott Joins Hewland Senior Management. 31st Oct 2002 Hewland Engineering announces that Andy Scott, the leading light of its Design Office, will join the Hewland senior management team. He has been with Hewland since August 1992. Since 2000, the equal status Senior Management Team has been comprised of three `specialist` managers; Steven Deane (Commercial Director), John McIntosh (Business Development Director) and David Radley (Operations Director). Andy Scott will become a fourth equal status member of the team, as Design Director. However, he will continue to actively function `hands-on` as lead designer. He will also coordinate the design team modus operandi. The senior team reports to M.D. William Hewland, who comments: `My existing management trio has performed superbly, contributing to the improved position of Hewland in today’s market-place. However, as the business has recently become increasingly design lead, it is natural to add our exceptional Design Director onto my management team. This will ensure that our busy design department has better integration with the rest of the business, leading to shorter lead times and greater client relations`. Gearing up for Autosport 2003 31st Oct 2002 Hewland will once again be exhibiting at the Autosport Engineering Show at the NEC in Birmingham, England. The Engineering show runs 9th-10th January 2003 and is part of the massive Autosport 2003 exhibition. Over 1000 exhibitors from all branches of motorsport will be at the show demonstrating the UK's pre-eminance in the world of motorsport. Hewland's senior sales and technical staff will be on hand at the show to discuss any potential projects that you have. If you are attending the show and wish to arrange a meeting with us about a project please e-mail, giving details of the project and the time and date you would like to meet. `Major Investment for the Hewland Heat Treatment Department` Hewland Engineering has had in-house heat treatment facilities since 1966, which were upgraded significantly when the company moved premises in 1997. Constant enhancements, such as computer control, have been added since then. However, the heat treatment department at Hewland Engineering has just undergone its latest phase of enhancement: During August 2002, a large heat-treatment restructure and augmentation was implemented, including an additional Ibsen sealed quench furnace and tempering plant. Other new features include a biotechology (eco-friendly) component wash plant, offering superior cleanliness and a new state-of-the-art shot blast unit. The inspection laboratory will be rebuilt and restructured also. MD William Hewland: " The market demand for higher and higher quality components has been met by our major investment in the appropriate resources throughout the company. The newly advanced heat treatment department is one of our most significant moves to date" Increasing quality of Hewland components New Gear Hobber Arrives Hewland have today (12th July 2002) taken delivery of a new Gleason CNC Gear Hobber, bringing to 8 the number of Gleason CNC machines within the company. Costing over £325,000 ($500,000) the machine is configured to auto feed shafts and forms part of the companies ongoing production review strategy. "The investment in this machine will help us to improve our already good response times to our customers" reports Operations Director Dave Radley. This investment comes on top of the £8,000,000 invested in the business since 1995. Ratio Stock Levels Higher Than Ever The stock level of gear ratios at the Hewland stores is higher than it has ever been, with over 90% of the 660 standard ratios having positive stock balances. "When it comes to the fast moving ratios such as LD, Mk5 and Mk8 the figure is closer to 100%" according to Head Storeman Steve Clews. "There is a perception that Hewland is still struggling to meet demand for Genuine Hewland Ratios, but with our massive capital investment in new machinery, those problems are a thing of the past." The quality of the product has also increased dramatically over the last few years, especially with the more expensive gears. "Gears with a finish that we thought acceptable as little as 2 years ago would never make it through inspection nowadays" reports Quality Manager Ken Wallace, "With superior machines, new methods and far better gear measuring capability, our product is second to none." Gear profiles have also improved over recent years, "The investment in new technology has allowed us to improve both the strength and efficiency of our gears" according to Gear Manager Kevin Freak, "Some years ago we embarked on an ongoing program to re-evaluate gear profiles of existing ratios, with the advantage of modern technology. Where we found problems we had no hesitation in modifying the profiles to the up to date designs." In addition to the increased availability and quality, Hewland made the bold step of reducing the price of many of the more popular ratios by up to 15% in December 1999. "This policy has paid off over the last year with sales of Genuine Hewland LD, Mk5 and Mk8 ratios increasing by some 20%" says William Hewland, Managing Director, "I can think of no reason for anyone to consider anything other than Genuine Hewland Ratios today. If anybody has a reason, please let me know!" e-mail: william.h@hewland-engineering.co.uk To see a complete list of Hewland Ratios click HERE Site designed by Hewland Engineering