This year, on 23 November, we celebrate the 10th Annual Bretby Conference, in association with the International Clay Technology Association (ICTa).

The event will be held for the first time at Stafford County Showground, after the closure of the Bretby Conference Centre. Aimed at the heavy clay and ceramic industries, this year’s theme is ‘Adding Value Through Innovation’. The industry faces many challenges, including energy efficiency, sustainability, optimised productivity, effective use of raw materials and minimisation of waste, as well as maintaining a skilled and competent workforce, and the conference’s technical programme will address some of these issues.

There will be a practical workshop session facilitated by CIF that will enable delegates to hone their problem solving skills. Another highlight will be an exhibition of supply chain companies taking place alongside the conference. 

Programme

The Conference day runs from 9.30 to 18.30. Full details of the programme will be available online at www.iom3.org/events/bretby-2011.

Highlights include: 

Session 1 – Adding Value Through Innovation, chaired by Neil Tobin, ICTa.

Session 2 – Innovation in Materials and People, chaired by Andrew White, Wienerberger.

Session 3 – Innovation in Equipment, Processes and Products, chaired by Mike Chapman, Ibstock Brick.

The day will end with a buffet and the ICTa AGM. 

Workshops

Developing new products or services is critical to the survival of any business, but equally important is the ability to transfer the new product into full-scale production. The workshop session will provide delegates with the opportunity to understand the need to establish controlled production from day one. Through a combination of practical tasks and learning materials, teams will experience the frustrations of unplanned product launches and then take on the challenge of implementing standardised working practices.

This year’s workshop will be run by CIF Management Consultants Ltd and as ever, we aim to deliver a learning experience while having some fun at the same time.

Register before 10 November

Registration is simple. Go to www.iom3.org/events/bretby-2011 to download a programme and registration form.

How to get there

Road – The Showground is situated on the A518, four miles from Stafford. Exit the M6 motorway at junction 14 and follow the signs for the County Showground.

Rail – The Showground is four miles from Stafford Railway Station, on the West Coast Main Line. There is a direct service to London Euston with a journey time of under two hours. There is a bus link from the station to the Showground as well as a taxi rank.

Bretby 2011 stand plan

Key to stand numbers

1-2 Ceratec

3-6 Peter Wegmann Ceramic Services Ltd – GSP, Stafier, De Boer, Haendle

7 Braun

8 Kors

9 Hans Lingl

10 Burton Refractories

11 Melle

12 Craven Fawcett

13-18 Richard S. Bratherton & Co/Shire Minerals & Machinery – Agrymin S.A, Bernini Srl, Bongioanni Srl, Comaf Srl, Grothe Rohstoffe GmbH, Forgestal S.A, Peterson Service GmbH, Verheijen Bv

19 Hallamshire Engineering Services Ltd

20 Proskills

21 Strapex UK

22 Resource UK

23 Gordian Strapping Ltd

24 Stoke-on-Trent College

25 Prince Minerals

26 Norkem

27 EITec

28-29 Keller

30 Signode

31 MSK Verpackungs