NEWS PLANNING YOUR COVID EXIT STRATEGY, AND WHAT TO CONSIDER


approach towards its post-pandemic future, and evaluate the lessons learned since lockdown, to ensure it comes out the other side stronger. Eric Stoop CEO of EASE, Inc (top) and Murray Sittsamer, President of Luminous Group (below), say manufacturers should now be turning their attention to developing a Covid-19 exit strategy to adapt to a new way of working in a post-pandemic world. If they’re not, they risk falling behind. The major factors manufacturers must consider when planning


T


their Covid exit strategy and returning to ‘normal’ are people, process and of course technology. A greater focus on staff wellbeing and development: How do we


keep staff safe and supported? Putting in place processes and measures to ensure physical and mental health wellbeing will have to be a key strategy for manufacturers moving forward if they are to retain and attract the best talent. In the US, some companies are even hiring external support, such as outside counsellors, to maintain good support levels for staff members. Communication will certainly improve between senior leaders and plant floor workers moving forward, and staff members will expect it to, more importantly. In addition to support, manufacturers also need to ensure they are developing staff with


training and upskilling opportunities too. Flexible working will remain in the sector, and must be a major consideration for manufacturers, but it does create a possibility of skills gaps on the plant floor. Greater levels of cross-training across processes and technologies must be carried out to mediate against these knowledge gaps. Risk assessments and contingency planning: Risk assessment should certainly form part


of a business’s strategy, so companies can better control the aspects that are in their control. Quarterly, or even monthly, drills will likely become common place to prepare against such unexpected events. Ultimately, manufacturers survived the pandemic by fighting fires where they arose, but this isn’t sustainable moving forward. Strengthening of supply chains: Probably more than any other area of the


manufacturing industry, the pandemic highlighted how delicate supply chains are. As a result, there will be more scrutiny on the whole supply chain. Applicable Supplier Quality Management systems provide a guide for companies to focus on their suppliers’ ability to meet the specifications of the company’s product, be they performance or cosmetic related. But this will extend to overseeing a supplier’s method of transportation, their suppliers’ own contingency plans and how product shortages can be combatted – and this should absolutely form part of an exit strategy. Manufacturing companies should seek assurances that their supply chains are robust throughout. But it’s important to look further ahead into the future to strengthen supply chains. .


Manufacturers would be well placed to look ahead at the training programmes they are running and jobs they are creating that are related to procurement, supply chain management and supply chain risk assessment as part of their ongoing strategies. Improving auditing measures: When the pandemic gripped the industry, many


manufacturers jumped to remote quality system audits. It showed it could be done, with some imaginative innovations along the way, such as feeds between laptops and a head camera, to see a worker or process on the plant floor. For safety and cost savings, it is likely that a trend will be created where reviewing documents will be done off-site, while the physical audit itself will be carried out on-site. Digitising audits with a solution like EASE is going to be a key goal for manufacturers if


they are to ensure plants are operating efficiently and productively. Industry 4.0 has been somewhat sped up by the pandemic, and if plant floors are to continue becoming digitally transformed, then strategies must be instilled to continue the technological advancements of factories. Flexible working is here to stay, and so is the need for digital transformation, therefore we encourage manufacturers to react. www.ease.io


he light at the end of the pandemic tunnel is coming into view for all businesses and sectors. And just like many industries, manufacturing now has the chance to take a considered


CONVERTING HARMFUL METHANE T


hermon Group Holdings has announced the introduction of the Thermon EnviroDyne Methane Destruction Unit,


which converts harmful methane gas emissions to water vapor and carbon dioxide without using a flame. This technology is Thermon’s latest development to provide sustainable solutions to help reduce its customers’ global emissions footprint. Developed in response to customers


looking for a way to effectively reduce fugitive emissions released while venting natural gas, the unit is poised to play a critical role in reducing harmful greenhouse gases and managing climate change responsibly. The Thermon EnviroDyne can convert


vented emissions released by pneumatic devices and other sources at a rate of 90% or higher. This will be welcome news to the many industries that use chemical injection pumps, control valves, compressor seals, and other emissions venting applications as necessary components of their operations “In addition to protecting the environment


from harmful methane gases, the Thermon EnviroDyne Methane Destruction Unit also saves customers money in the form of lower carbon emissions tax rates,” said Mark Roberts, senior vice-president Heating Systems and Engineering for Thermon. “As operations emit fewer emissions, the amount of tax decreases, representing a major cost-saving.” Safety is also a key benefit. Because it


operates without employing a flame, it operates safely in otherwise hazardous locations where a flame poses a serious risk of explosion. This flameless technology consists of just


two modules: a converter module and a gas train module that feature no moving parts. Following initial start-up via electric power, it operates continuously when supplied with air and clean fuel. The system is reliable and features a proprietary explosion-proof catalyst pad. Because the converter module consists of 300 series stainless-steel components, it is resistant to corrosion and is suitable for use in hazardous locations. www.thermon.com


OCTOBER 2021 | PROCESS & CONTROL 5


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66