8th September 2010 1:02
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Power of an objective view in production planning: Vitafoam-Paisley
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Problem Statement
Company: Vitafoam-Paisley - part of British Vita plc.
Business: Polyethylene foam conversion.
Employees: 115.
Turnover: £9 million.
Problem statement: Check-out whether manufacturing performance levels for this company are competitive with World. |
Improvement Approach
Benchmark key manufacturing parameters against database of 3,500 previous applications. Carry out Gap Analysis to identify areas where performance lags behind best-in-class and undertake appropriate corrective actions. |
Benefits
PICME has partnered with Vitafoam-Paisley in its approach to Kanban based manufacturing. By adopting a 'best practice' route at the machine commissioning stage, the company will reap the benefit for years to come. |
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Company Contact Information
PICME
Steve Williamson, PICME, The Wilton Centre, PO Box 90, Wilton, Middlesbrough, TS90 8JE
Tel.
+ 44 (0) 1642 430021, Fax. + 44 (0) 1642 430025
E-mail
enquiries@picme.org
www.picme.org
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Vitafoam-Paisley used the PICME expertise to provide an independent assessment of plans to expand the company's production of speciality products.
A key aspect was to ensure that expanded production would be on a competitive basis compared to world leaders in the sector. |
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PICME helped Vitafoam adopt a new Kanban based manufacturing approach; one that would, in particular, maximise the impact and integration of the new CNC cutting machinery on order.
The Vitafoam-Paisley shop floor will now feature two kinds of production; one high volume line with CNC machinery, the other, lower volume with greater variety. The project has encouraged the company to continue in its policies of continuous manufacturing improvements.
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The company's new investment and production plans have been drawn up with the highest regard for maximum efficiency, space use and minimum stocks and work-in-progress. The workforce has been a part of this process improvement effort and PICME has been retained to assist in the staff training.
"Kanban based manufacturing in our Specialist Products area will maximise our customer service by 'pulling' from the assembly section - rather than pushing forward from our cutting operations."
Derek McIntyre, General Manager, Vitafoam-Paisley.
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