Digitisation, IIoT and manufacturing
30th October 2023
Working with the biggest brands in automotive means we are exposed to the latest trends in technology. We can bring this knowledge and experience to SME manufacturing environments and accelerate your strategic adoption.
Digitisation improves manufacturing responsiveness, quality, and efficiency
The transformational power of digitisation and the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) can be applied across an entire manufacturing process and beyond. It converts factories into smart environments, makes supply chains dynamic and product aftercare proactive not reactive. Providing a holistic system which connects warehousing systems, and production with end-to-end integration. Incorporating inbound logistics, production logistics, manufacturing, outbound logistics, and after sales service.
Make-to-order manufacturing
The automotive sector has been at the forefront of manufacturing to order, building 1000's of cars a week, approximately 25,000 components per car, and everyone a different specification. This is only possible because enhanced productivity and efficiency are attained through automated and self-regulating production methods. Where people, machinery, tools, logistical systems, and in-progress components are in direct communication and collaboration from the initial sale to the delivery of the finished product.
A real-time, streamlined manufacturing ecosystem
Seamless integration of production and logistical procedures extends across organisational boundaries, resulting in a real-time, streamlined manufacturing ecosystem that embodies agility and effectiveness. This paves the way for intelligent value-generation networks encompassing all stages of a product's life cycle, spanning conception, design, production, utilisation, upkeep (i.e. predicting machine maintenance and repairs by triggering early alerts), and recycling. Consequently, this ecosystem harnesses customer preferences as a driving force for aspects ranging from initial product conceptualisation to eventual recycling, ensuring responsiveness and a process of continual improvement.
SME’s in manufacturing are lagging behind
Conventional assembly manufacturing lines operate in synchrony, following predetermined workflows derived from production work orders within enterprise business systems. Instructions for production stages are communicated centrally to each manufacturing station, aligning their actions with the progression of the assembly line.
IIoT based technology facilitates asynchronous manufacturing, utilising automatic identification technology, components within the production process are identified, conveying instructions to both machines and operators regarding the necessary actions for creating the personalised final product at each individual stage of the manufacturing journey.
This will enable manufacturers to make strategic decisions by interconnection with customer requirements and supply chain in real-time using up to date data. This will achieve cost reduction, enhanced efficiencies regarding production and working capital management and improved innovation.
How can we help your transformation?
Whatever you manufacture, or support as a Tier 1 supplier - we can help you make your onsite logistics smarter, leaner and more cost-effective. We are prepared to work on the smallest of contracts to prove how you can drive out excess cost and inefficiency, through better processes, systems, and training. We can help you identify and actively drive out cost - but it's important to note, we're not consultants. However, the first step is to understand your product and logistics operations, your customers, and your biggest headaches. Then we provide an objective analysis, ROI cost projections, and if our solutions are implemented - we guarantee you’ll achieve the agreed cost saving, or we pay!
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Here’s how the 360 onsite logistics audit and assessment works!
Put us to the test, what have you got to lose?
Contact us for a FREE ‘on site' logistics audit – carried out under a non disclosure agreement - our findings will be reported in full confidence and will provide a detailed analysis of where savings and improvements can be made.
There’s only one condition - you must be UK based and be operating in the automotive sector, with a head count of around 25 - 30 or more operating in logistics roles.