The First Marine shipyard benchmarking system assesses the use of best practice in one hundred and thirty separate activities and processes.

The correlation between performance and best practice rating then enables the competitive position of a shipyard to be established. In ef

fect, the benchmarking system explains why the level of performance is what it is and determines the processes and practices that need to be adopted to improve performance to a pre-determined level. It ensures that both short and long-term improvement plans are properly focussed and that resources are concentrated where they are most needed.

The output of a benchmarking study, combined with the results of market analysis which sets performance targets and defines overall shipyard parameters, enables a shipyard to develop a coherent action plan for improving its competitiveness. Short-term plans may have an horizon of a few months and provide immediate benefits, long-term plans result in continuous and sustainable improvement, typically 10% to 15% per annum, that help secure the shipyard's future.

The system was originally developed for shipbuilding but has been expanded for ship repair and conversion and general manufacturing. The one hundred and thirty elements of the system are formed into eighteen groups. Some groups relate only to specific sectors of industry, others such as marketing and product development, human resources and purchasing and supply chain are widely applicable.

The system has been applied in over one hundred shipyards world-wide and recently formed the basis for industry studies in the USA, the UK, mainland Europe, Japan and South Korea. Our benchmarking activities provide us with detailed and unparalleled knowledge of international shipbuilding and repair operations.

The scope of our services includes:

• Company and industry benchmarking
• Technology profiling
• Performance improvement plans
• Cost reduction plans
• Management of change
• Manpower development and training
• Operational assistance
  

To view project examples in this area of expertise please click here.