FEATURE PROCESS AUTOMATION
LOOK BEYOND THE PRICE TAG and unlock hidden TCO savings
Bringing your Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to a minimum is one way of reaping the rewards from an investment in automation, as Richard Yates, project manager for Endoline Machinery explains...
I
t’s a common fact that UK manufacturers, particularly within the
food industry, stall on investing in robotics and automation. Investing in equipment, which for some high-spec fully automatic turnkey lines can cost almost as much as the UK’s average house price, can bring out the fear of the unknown in many manufacturers. While many don’t look past the initial price tag, it is evaluating and taking a more proactive approach to total cost of ownership (TCO) which can help manufacturers unlock hidden savings, minimise downtime and boost productivity.
their own in-house team of engineers who specialise in their equipment. Not only can they diagnose problems but, with their knowledge of the machinery, they should be able to pre-empt any issues and modify the machine to improve efficiency – for example changing the air pressure and recognising if bearings are wearing 4. Suppliers should also offer regular
‘on the job’ training for engineers. It has been reported that manufactures believe their in-house engineers won’t have the know-how to implement and maintain the systems. However your machinery supplier should, if they have designed and
‘Investing in end-of-line equipment may be one of the most costly exercises your business does, but to avoid falling behind competitors, it is imperative that you seize the opportunity to automate’
“The truth is we expect our systems to
last for up to 20 years,” explained Richard Yates, project manager for Endoline Machinery, “however many companies are unclear of the Total Cost of Ownership throughout the lifespan of a system – and the direct and in-direct costs this might represent. It is often this lack of knowledge which deters manufacturers from making the initial investment.” Part of TCO is maintenance, which is seen as a necessary cost of business, but it should be a part of the overall business strategy to ensure systems remain running at their optimum. With a proactive approach maintaining systems can become a key contributor to a company’s bottom line. Here are eight top tips to help
manufacturers get the most out of their equipment and bring TCO to a minimum: 1. It is imperative that you have a good relationship with your machinery supplier who can ‘hold your hand’ through the installation process and beyond. Endoline offers six monthly servicing throughout the lifespan of the system to ensure that the machine consistently runs at its peak 2. Service agreements should be
considered with the supplier. If a system needs a service it could end up costing you in the long run by bringing in a less- expensive local engineer who has no experience in the machine you are operating 3. Ensure your machinery supplier has
36 NOVEMBER 2016 | PROCESS & CONTROL
manufactured the machines themselves, have an in-depth knowledge of the system and can take you through it step by step. Most larger manufacturers have their own team of engineers however they still need educating on a new system so Endoline, for example, offers regular training workshops with exams and training certificates. 5. Work with a machinery supplier
who has their ‘finger on the pulse’ of current trends with the ability to modify software to suit your changing needs or a new product run. While Endoline has supplied case sealers for many years, the company has progressed to create systems which can run at higher speed and offer more flexibility – keeping ahead of customers’ expectations as their demands change.
In-house engineers can participate in training to enable them to re- programme systems
6. Remote Diagnostics is quickly becoming a requirement from customers and a competitive necessity. This service, with its rapid troubleshooting capabilities, gives companies the assurances that their downtime, should problems occur, be kept to a minimum. Hence it is a growth area. 7. Does your machinery supplier hold enough spares? While Endoline recommends that customers keep an amount of spares, such as tape heads, it is inevitable that machinery suppliers will receive an urgent call for a part. Therefore, ensure that your supplier has the ability to turn around your order within 48 hours at most. Endoline keeps a supply of unique stock, such as servo motor drives, to ensure that if customers need it, it can be delivered to minimise downtime 8. Finally – Quality over quantity.
Investing in quality machines from the outset can ultimately save you ££’s in the long term. A poorly built system could end up being replaced several times over during the lifetime of a higher quality system. So don’t overlook a more expensive system, look at the build quality, get customer testimonials and find out what the service plan is. Investing in end of line equipment may be one of the most costly exercises your business does, however to avoid falling behind competitors, missing critical business opportunities or losing industry influence it is imperative that you seize the opportunity to automate. With careful planning you can keep Total Cost of Ownership to a minimum and, by ‘getting into bed’ with a reputable machinery supplier, you can make your business more productive and efficient. The Government is currently helping
Endoline recommends that customers keep an amount of spares in stock, but it is also important to ensure your supplier has the ability to turn around your stock order within 48 hours at the most
manufacturers make the initial investment in much needed automation to bring us up to date with our European counterparts. Help includes an increase in the annual investment allowance (AIA) to £500,000 for investment in plant, machinery and equipment. So what’s holding you back?
Endoline Machinery
www.endoline-automation.com
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