CGM Lesotho continues to make efficiency gains while rolling out the implementation of Best Practices across another two lines in its clothing manufacturing operation.

For CGM, 2007 started off with the accreditation of 2 Line Managers and 9 Team Leaders from the pilot project as well the accreditation of an internal facilitator to manage the roll out phase. By April 2007, another 2 lines began the world class journey with the support of the newly accredited internal facilitator. Another 2 Line Managers and 9 Team Leaders from these pilot lines received training & coaching from PSA throughout the remainder of the year.

In this phased rollout process, internal skills transfer stepped up a notch to include co-training by a team of internal trainers, who were now experiencing the material for the second time. In November 2007 a final assessment was conducted and improvements of up to 13% were achieved in efficiency on the two lines and up to 5% improvement in rework.

The Line Manager and the Team Leaders on one of the lines received full accreditation with partial accreditation for the other line, with a review planned for February 2008.

In 2008 the internal facilitator along with the accredited internal trainers will be responsible for rolling out best practices to the last two lines in the factory.

Meanwhile preparations have begun for the implementation of best practices in a second factory in the CGM group.

Assessments were conducted in August 2007, with an “Introduction to World Class Competitiveness” session run for shop stewards in September. The training of 2 Line Managers and 10 team leaders from 2 pilot lines commenced in October 2007. In November all the operators from each of the pilot lines attended a teambuilding session along with their team leaders and line manager. These workshops were well received and achieved the goal of ensuring that everyone was clear on the direction that was being taken as well as putting in place the foundations for effective teamwork.

In February 2008 the management team will commence training in problem solving applying the skills learnt to a real problem they are currently facing. We anticipate some positive and meaningful changes and improvements – especially with daily team meetings commencing in February at newly installed team boards.