"Case Study: Double H Nurseries" Paul Mincham

“To be the first choice supplier of house plants to

the UK Supermarkets”

Our Mission Statement…

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A Short History Of Double H The first glasshouses were built on the site at Gore Road

in 1961. They were built to grow tomatoes but were soon changed

to produce cut chrysanthemums. In those days the product was shipped to market in London on the train from New Milton station.

In 1965 Hugh Stevenson joined forces with Helmut Gimmler to grow a wide range of house plants and Double H was formed.

The company grew steadily and in the mid 1980’s started to supply the supermarkets.

In 1990 a second site at King’s Lane in Sway was bought to satisfy increasing demand from our customers.

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A Short History Of Double H In the mid 1990’s we decided to stop growing cut flowers and

concentrate on flowering house plants. As a result we converted the Sway site and our current R Block from cut flowers grown in soil to pot plants grown on suitable tables.

We set ourselves the target of getting a Double H house plant in 20% of homes in the UK. We were successful in increasing our sales by giving good service to our customers and developing new and different types of packaging. In 2001 we achieved our target.

In the year 2000 we extended R Block to increase begonia production and in 2001 we were offered the opportunity to rent a third site in Devon and to take on supply to Mark’s & Spencer.

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As our customers grew further we began to reduce the range of plants we grew so that we could concentrate on being very good at growing a few selected every day crops. This enables us to increase volumes and supply better and better value for money.

By 2004 we were ready to re-invest in a new glasshouse to grow chrysanthemums at New Milton and decided to close both our remote sites.

A Short History Of Double H

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A Short History Of Double H• We now grow 4 main crops:

• Begonia 1.7m plants per year, about 40% of the UK market• Pot Chrysanthemum1.4m plants per year, about 30% of the UK market• Calla Lily 200,000 plants per year – the only UK grower• Phalaenopsis Orchids 624,000 plants per year.

• Sales of Phalaenopsis are growing rapidly and we plan to increase our• production over the coming years.

Why Sustainability?

For a business to survive in the modern world it needs

to be constantly challenging the way it does

things not only for economical reasons but

also for environmental and social

If a Company is seen to be valuing its

peoplelocal environment

communityIt will naturally help improve it

economically because its customers will be more willing to purchase / work with

it, providing it is offering value for money.

Economics

ProfitabilityCompetitiveness

Satisfaction

Environmental Issues

SUSTAINABILITY

Social Responsibility

A sustainable business is one which considers and takes action on all of

these areas.

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Double H Economical Achievments

• Temperature Integration has reduced heating costs by 25% over the past 6 years.

• Photocopiers set to mono as standard & usage monitored• Introduced role of Supply Chain Manager to help reduce stock

levels and improve supplier relationships• Reduced delivery times from China from 12 to 5 weeks• Employed person at M&S to help improve efficiency of ordering

system.• Changed working contracts to flexi time approach to help fit in

with both business & individual needs.• Total Preventative Maintenance carried out on each piece of

equipment to improve the efficiency of running.• Saved 13,725 Hours labour in 2009 against 2008 by improving

work efficiencies.......

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Double H Environmental Achievments

• Approximately 7% of water used comes from mains water. 66% comes from rain water and 27% from a bore hole.

• 100% of Begonia & Chrysanthemum irrigation water is recycled.

• 90% of pest control is biological• Paper, plastic, cardboard are bailed for recycling.• Plant waste is collected by a local farmer for reuse in fields.• Installed Rapid close door in loading bay to help reduce heat

loss.• All outside lighting is set on day/night sensors.• Visits to audit our suppliers in China for H&S, Ethical &

Quality improvements.• Fairtrade products are stocked in our vending machines.

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Double H Social Achievments• Annual BBQ & Christmas Party for staff & family.• Sports & Social committee• Staff recognition awards.• All staff sent birthday card of which a percentage of the cost

goes to charity.• Staff pension scheme.• Late retirement opportunities offered to staff.• Plants donated to local Charities, Hospices & Community

Events.• Annual visits from local schools including special needs

schools.• Work experience offered to local school children.• Bernardos Teddy Bear raffle at Christmas.• Regularly host visits to share best practice with other UK

Companies

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The History of Lean at Double H

2003 - Double H first became aware of the Lean principles from MAS (Manufacturing Advisory Service) and started awareness training.

2004 - Pressure from Tesco promoted us to speed up change but progress was limited.

2005 - Double H visit Toyota assembly plant in Derbyshire - Autoliv Ltd decided to re-locate to Turkey.

2006 - Paul Mincham joined from Autoliv…………….

Blank Suggestionslips

Suggestions with an

alternative option awaiting

approval

Suggestions complete & approved

New suggestions for

feasibility

The resource the suggestion has been allocated to

Suggestions completed & Awaiting Approval

Suggestion Scheme

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Estimated Cost Saving£17,600

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So where did we start ?

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5s Workshops All employees went through a

5S Training workshop

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Standardisation

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The Cube

Suggestion Scheme

TPMAuditsTrainin

g

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Our AimTo create a workplace that is clearly organised which will

enable us to tell the normal from the abnormal.

To create visual management within our workplace.

To promote teamwork and employee involvement in enhancing our own working environment

To make the workplace cleaner, safer, simpler and more satisfying for all team members.

To meet the overall business needs.

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Ongoing & Future Plans

MDWT (Mission Directed Work Teams)

Environmental Audit By Olive

Set up Plan & Budget for 2011

Biomass Wood Burner