CERAM has once again proven itself an invaluable business partner for IKEA by providing support for the Swedish retail giant in an improvement programme for one of its major tableware supplier factories.

Consultants from the internationally renowned centre for materials and technology have, over the past few months, visited the supplier to review cost accounting systems together with quality and process control systems in order to advise on improvements that could be implemented to improve product quality and production yield.

Based on recommendations made by CERAM Consulting Group, IKEA now plans to invest in new equipment for the factory, as well as improve floor layout and working practices in order to maximise efficiency and double the output of IKEA products.

The work carried out by CERAM is just the latest project that the organisation has been involved with on IKEA's behalf, having already played a key role in supporting other major investments made over the last two years.

CERAM is also IKEA's preferred consultant for ceramic product sourcing around the globe, a position which has recently been expanded to incorporate some consultative work on glassware. Most recently, this has involved experts at CERAM visiting a manufacturing site to identify and cure an existing production fault.

Graham Small, manager of CERAM Consulting Group commented: "IKEA demands the highest standards from its suppliers, both in terms of the products they manufacture and the way in which they operate.

"CERAM continues to play a pivotal role in helping suppliers to achieve these standards, whether by advising on operational efficiencies or by product testing at our UK headquarters or approved test labs in Thailand, Malaysia and China."

To find out more about the work carried out by CERAM Consulting Group or on any of the services that the organisation offers, please contact Graham Small on +44 (0)1782 764343 or email graham.small@ceram.com.