COMING up with bright ideas has helped a group of employees to a share of more than £3,000.

Four BAe workers at the Samlesbury site put forward ideas to the firm's suggestion scheme which have now been put into practice.

Stephen Day from Accrington, who works as a fitter on Airbus wings, came up with a suggestion to improve manufacturing techniques by introducing a new tool.

And Ken Cross and John Nowell from Blackburn and David Hobin from Preston, also fitters, were rewarded for the idea to change the way two components were drilled ready for assembly. The suggestion has saved time and costs on the production line.

Said Tony Hyde, product manager on the Airbus line: "These ideas are excellent. They are innovative, simple and effective and fit in perfectly with the vision at Samlesbury to reduce lead times, costs and improve quality."

The suggestion scheme at the Samlesbury site has been running since 1994 and has received more than 3,000 ideas.

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