Mitchell Glass of Galashiels is a family-run company that specialises in conservatories and double glazing.
And with over 130 years in business, it can argue more than most that it runs a successful, cost-effective business.
As an Investor in People accredited company, they are dedicated to providing their customers with personal service, second to none, and products of highest standards of quality at competitive prices.
Then again, managing director Peter Roden and his wife, company secretary, Susan, are committed to investing in the training and development of their staff.
This commitment has not gone unnoticed, and in 2005 they were finalists in the Scottish Borders New Ways Awards in the ‘Excellence in Skills and Learning’ category.
Mitchell Glass was introduced to learndirect scotland for business following a training needs analysis carried out by Scottish Enterprise Borders in partnership with Borders Construction Industry Forum.
It identified the skills shortages within the company and suggested how best to address them.
learndirect scotland for business training partner for the Borders - Lindsey Mason - suggested Mitchell Glass take part in the Training Access Points (TAPs) initiative.
TAPs is a learndirect scotland pilot programme, funded by the Scottish Executive. Around 200 companies across Scotland were provided with a broadband internet connection, a dedicated training PC and associated equipment, and 15 free e-learning courses chosen by the company based on training needs.
Susan said: “The flexibility of online learning is what initially attracted us to TAPs. It provided us with the opportunity to improve our professional and personal development, without leaving the premises.”
Since the TAPs PC was installed, Mitchell Glass has embraced the initiative with staff completing courses on Microsoft Excel and Word, customer care, time management and team communications.
“TAPs has opened our eyes to the advantages of online learning, and it has enabled us to increase the range of training and development opportunities we offer our staff and, ultimately, improve the service we offer our customers.”
Mitchell Glass’s commitment to training and development does not stop there. Last year, the company undertook a Lean Management Programme with Scottish Enterprise Borders, to help it achieve new levels of efficiency and profitability.
The programme helps companies to;
• add value to products and processes
• improve productivity
• eliminate waste across the organisation
• reduce lead times and inventory
• increase productivity
Susan added: “We worked with a consultant to identify a project that would improve our overall efficiency and what changes could be made to unlock our full potential. In the end we decided on a complete overhaul of our storage facilities.
“Our store room was in complete disarray and this had cost us valuable time in sourcing equipment and resulted in repeat journeys to and from jobs.
“We carried out a complete audit of all the equipment in the store room and disposed of the equipment we no longer needed.
Mitchell Glass is already experiencing the benefits of the programme as Susan explains: “Materials are now much easier to locate, and this has resulted in valuable savings in time and transport costs.
“Our continued training and development has enabled everyone in the company to know how their contribution fits into the business. The whole company is focused on the same goals and this has led to increased efficiency and even better levels of customer satisfaction.”