THE Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster (IoMAC) has launched a programme which is designed to benchmark its members against world class business standards. 

Journey to Process Excellence (JTPE) also aims to assist the cluster's competitiveness globally.

The business improvement tool is based on Rolls-Royce's model of process excellence.

It enables businesses in the aerospace and high-tech manufacturing sectors to measure their own capabilities and resilience against a world class model and from there develop a tailored strategy to drive improvement for elements such as quality management, leadership and process flow.

The JTPE programme is designed to help all IoMAC members prove how they will deliver world class products and services in the future and will also provide firm evidence to IoMAC customers that continuous improvement is part of their business culture.

The first cohort of participating companies consists of Swagelok, Target Aerospace, Manx Engineers, European Aviation Maintenance and GE Aviation. All IoMAC members will undertake the programme eventually.

Chairman of the Isle of Man Aerospace Cluster Adrian Moore said: "The programme will be led by Dave Waters of RLC Ronaldsway on behalf of the Cluster and supported by an Isle of Man-based Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, Roger Callister.

"Our aim is to benchmark businesses against a world class model and to promote continuous improvement.

"It is imperative that all of our aerospace companies engage with this programme to safeguard their future in the industry and ensure that they are offered new contracts from our customers around the world now and in the years to come."

Economic Development Minister Allan Bell MHK said: "This initiative helps to demonstrate that the aerospace cluster is engaged with a recognised business improvement tool and should serve as a powerful message to the industry that we are fit for purpose and able to prove that we are lean, professional, joined up and resilient."

Department member with responsibility for manufacturing Clare Christian MLC said: "The launch of the Journey to Process Excellence programme will strengthen our relationship with one of the cluster's major customers, Rolls-Royce, and its extended supply chain.

"This is certainly an excellent step forward for the cluster."