Lean Sustainability

With increased demands from customers to constantly produce more product, manufacturer’s pressures are increasing all the time to supply ‘right first time’ products faster and more efficiently than ever before. They must utilize their assets, operations and workforce as effectively as possible not only to satisfy consumer demand but also to maximise return on investments for shareholders. With an ever changing landscape, manufacturing facilities must also be able to adapt to requirement changes at short notice and be able to replicate quality product as quickly as possible.

Taking the above into consideration, the day to day pressures of modern manufacturing are very high. Some of the issues that can arise from these demands are heavy penalties from customers for either late or non-compliant product, or simply by not being able to fulfil the demand placed upon them. When this happens it can have a consequential effect as it affects them financially both in the short and long term, and their relationships and brand value potentially suffering.

Very often we see that actions implemented to rectify such problems are to have a quick workaround solution. This usually provides only a temporary fix to deal with the issue, as opposed to taking a more holistic view that considers the long term sustainability of the plant and is better aligned with long term business goals.  Some workarounds can be part shipment of goods or some change to a line procedure. This is fine and can lead to short term gains as they overlook the importance of the overall process and what the contributory factors and consequential issues are.

Our aim is to work with all key stakeholders and decision makers to fully understand our customer’s business goals and to understand what pains and constraints being felt by the business. By taking a full picture, it enables us to drive the necessary changes from the top down ensuring complete adoption of our solutions and the essential operational methodologies required to achieving manufacturing sustainability and excellence for the long term.

When production is pushed to current capacity and beyond, would it help if there was a common platform put in place, which would drive standards in the workforce and production to work optimally through the use of specific technology and proven manufacturing OEE methodology? This would ensure high standards and that demand is met through the elimination of bottlenecks across the plant and good working practices established.  This would ensure customer demand and product quality is met and sustained long-term, whilst achieving an improved and consistent profitability across the business.