INDUSTRY FOCUS PACKAGING
THE REAL COST OF OWNERSHIP TIPS ON GETTING THE BEST OUT OF TCO
Within the fast-paced FMCG environment today, staying ahead in manufacturing and technology means doing more with less. This includes strategies to drive down costs, eliminate waste and enhance productivity, all the while increasing output, and meeting the pace of market pressures. By Richard Yates, operations director, Endoline Machinery
M
anufacturers need solutions which safeguard their initial investment.
When investing in automation equipment they should not only look to increase efficiency and output, but reduce the long-term total cost of ownership (TCO) of automation assets. Understanding this could unlock hidden savings, minimise downtime and boost productivity. Part of TCO is maintenance, which is seen as a necessary cost of business, but it should be part of the overall business strategy to ensure systems remain running at optimum standards. With a proactive approach, maintaining systems can become a key contributor to a company’s bottom line.
TCO TIPS Below are to tips to ensure you get the most out of your equipment, while bringing 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. Regular servicing is also vital throughout the lifespan of the system, to ensure that the machine consistently runs at its peak. At Endoline we offer 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, if a system needs a service it could end up costing you in the long run by bringing in a non-approved local engineer, who has no experience in the machine you are operating, as this could also affect your warranty. Most machinery suppliers will have good service plans in place. 3. Your machinery supplier should have
their own in-house team of engineers who specialise in their equipment. They
10 MAY 2018 | AUTOMATION
To minimise downtime keep an amount of spares in stock or ensure your supplier has the ability to turn around your stock order within 48 hours at most
will also be able to offer routine servicing where not only will they be able to diagnose problems, but, with their knowledge of the machinery, they will be able to pre-empt any issues and modify the machine to make production more efficient – for example changing the air pressure and recognising if bearings are wearing.
4.Machinery suppliers should offer your
engineers regular, on the job training. It has been reported that manufacturers believe their in-house engineers won’t have the know-how to implement and maintain their systems. However, machinery suppliers who have designed and manufactured the machine themselves, will have the expertise to provide full knowledge of the system, and can give a manufacturer’s engineers the confidence to maintain and operate the machinery efficiently for the future. While the majority of larger manufacturers will have their own team of engineers, it is essential that they are educated on a new system. At Endoline for example, we offer 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 technical flexibility to modify software to suit your changing needs or a new product run. Over the years we have re-engineered our end of line systems to run at higher speeds and offer greater flexibility in line with, and exceeding, our customer’s expectations.
6.Make the most of remote
In- house engineers can participate in training to enable them to re- programme systems
diagnostics. This technology is quickly becoming a requirement from customers to help reduce downtime. The growth in this service, and its rapid troubleshooting capabilities, is escalating as it gives companies the assurances that their downtime, should problems occur, will be kept to a minimum and immediate resolutions can be offered. This option
also offers overseas customers more comfort and support from machinery manufacturers. 7. Does your machinery supplier hold enough spares? While we recommend that customers keep a number of spares, such as tape heads, to minimise downtime, it is inevitable that machinery suppliers will receive an urgent call for a part. Some manufacturers have had to wait weeks for a spare part when not dealing directly with a dedicated machinery manufacturer and supplier, who can generally turn around your order within 48 hours at most. 8. Finally, quality over quantity.
Investing in quality machines from the outset can ultimately save you money in the long term. A poorly built system could end up being replaced several times over during the lifetime of a high-quality system. So don’t overlook a more expensive system, look at the build quality, get customer testimonials, life- span of machine and find out what their service plan is. Purchasing several cheaper machines over a longer period will eventually outweigh the initial investment of a more quality built product.
KEEPING TCO TO A MINIMUM 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 forging a strong relationship with a reputable machinery supplier, you can make your business more productive and efficient.
Endoline Machinery T: 01767 316422
www.endoline-automation.com
/AUTOMATION
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
