The document summarizes the evolution of Ideal Standard International's manufacturing site in Armitage, Rugeley, UK from a traditional multi-level casting facility using plaster moulds to a fully automated single-level plant with 100% robotic production processes. Key changes included installing new pressure casting equipment, integrating robotics for demoulding and finishing, implementing a continuous 24/7 production model, and focusing on strategies for highest productivity, lowest material usage, tightest process control, and reducing the carbon footprint and cost to compete with Chinese imports. These changes led to significant improvements in safety, quality, lead times, inventory levels, and reductions in energy usage and waste.

2. BRIAN STANDBRIDGE UK OPERATIONS & EMEA SOURCING DIRECTOR IDEAL STANDARD INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WITH ROBOTICS AND FACTORY AUTOMATION 14 OCTOBER 2010

4. Recently – the site has developed from a multi level casting facility to single level (2000). It has seen a progressive removal of all plaster moulds (the last of which was removed in 2004). Combined with the introduction of automation.

9. 2000 2002 2001 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2009 2008 Pre 2000 Dorst & Porvair basin pressure casting machines 16 x glaze application robots Bead milling Glaze preparation unit 1 x Porvair 4 part bowl Pressure casting machine 1 x Porvair 4 part bowl Pressure casting machine 1 x Porvair 5 part bowl Pressure casting machine Xtract glaze reclamation unit SACMI automated tank cell 1 x Porvair COBR & WHB Pressure casting machine 1 x Porvair FFC basin & ped Pressure casting machine 492 451 395 378 323 303 306 300 297 286 Headcount reduction ( redeployment/natural wastage / voluntary) Capacity growth from 1,35m to 1,9m pcs (+40%) Introduction of new technology Continuous Introduction of Footprint

10. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS – BEFORE / AFTER TRADITIONAL PLANT CONVERTED AUTOMATED PLANT RoSPA Gold medal Winners Reduction of recordable incidents Over -90% Now Single Digit per year Safety Culture Safety Record Poor Claims Culture Customer Lead Times long (2 weeks) with backlog variation Manufacturing leads times from 5 days to below 36 hours Inventory Reduction – 28% Mould changed daily Next day delivery introduced Variability of Quality Yields and Conformance of products 15% higher FPY Highest FPY in Group Return on Sales halved (Warranty )

11. KEY ACHIEVEMENTS – BEFORE / AFTER TRADITIONAL PLANT CONVERTED AUTOMATED PLANT Typically 30% labour needed Engineering based plant with Ceramic knowledge Manually-intensive plant. Craft style skills Mixed technologies Batch produced Traceability difficult Standard flow technology (UK/Italian produced) Continuous 24x7 operations Barcoded 100% Tranxfer production Real time fully integrated SAP Energy-intensive (drying) Material intensive (Moulds, clay, waste) Energy consumption units/1000’s Gas = 62% average Electricity = 58% average Mould life > 50k Materials = 75% Zero waste philosophy

12. 16,250 Co 2 /annum Rugeley plant Traditional plant Asian Sourced Product Saving