Re: The Rover Story
Thu Nov 05, 2015 10:59 am
I just love these old films, thanks Melisandre. 
One has to ask where it all went wrong. Government interference played a part, but there were plenty of other factors. I moved to Solihull in 1991 and the plant was still recognisable as in that film. - In fact, I think I inherited a few pieces of equipment. Lack of investment was always an issue, as was adopting new practices.
Not many know that Rover was quite a long way ahead with jet turbines. The auxiliary power unit on the Vulcan bomber was a Rover unit and had an incredibly long life. When the Vulcans were being scrapped, the Rover unit was always salvaged and often sold off to the Arab states for pumping use. Many are still in use today I believe. I think, (not 100% sure) that the Rover turbine interest eventually morphed into Noel Penny Turbines at Baginton where they made small turbine units for drones and targets. Certainly in '91 there were still plenty of reminders of turbine history around the site.
One has to ask where it all went wrong. Government interference played a part, but there were plenty of other factors. I moved to Solihull in 1991 and the plant was still recognisable as in that film. - In fact, I think I inherited a few pieces of equipment. Lack of investment was always an issue, as was adopting new practices.
Not many know that Rover was quite a long way ahead with jet turbines. The auxiliary power unit on the Vulcan bomber was a Rover unit and had an incredibly long life. When the Vulcans were being scrapped, the Rover unit was always salvaged and often sold off to the Arab states for pumping use. Many are still in use today I believe. I think, (not 100% sure) that the Rover turbine interest eventually morphed into Noel Penny Turbines at Baginton where they made small turbine units for drones and targets. Certainly in '91 there were still plenty of reminders of turbine history around the site.
Re: The Rover Story
Fri Nov 13, 2015 2:47 am
Re: The Rover Story
Fri Nov 13, 2015 10:32 am
Neill makes some interesting points such as Edwardes daily fax, but misses the more obvious point about too many similar products fighting for the same customer. (Incidentally, JLR is going the same way today.) He also fails to mention the hopeless dealer network who treated customers like sh*t. Why they behaved like this is a story in itself!
However, the reason for Neill's talk was to push and sell "The Unipart Way". Sadly, it falls short in some areas as a process improvement tool, when compared to the likes of lean and six sigma, but in fairness, it is easy to use and does deliver results. Interestingly, Unipart tried to sell six sigma as a consultancy service at one time, but they weren't a particular success.
However, the reason for Neill's talk was to push and sell "The Unipart Way". Sadly, it falls short in some areas as a process improvement tool, when compared to the likes of lean and six sigma, but in fairness, it is easy to use and does deliver results. Interestingly, Unipart tried to sell six sigma as a consultancy service at one time, but they weren't a particular success.
Re: The Rover Story
Tue Nov 17, 2015 10:16 am
Not a bad potted history there. Not totally accurate but pretty close. (e.g. I didn't see a mention of Austin Rover which ran for a few years.)
Thanks Melisandre
Thanks Melisandre
Re: The Rover Story
Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:03 pm
It's the first time I've seen a Rover T4 prototype, it explains where the Rover 2000 got its unusual shape from.