Revised storage saves 430 working days a year

New storage infrastructure has reduced the distance packing ring parts travel around a shop floor by 30%, which initially extrapolated to saving 259 days per year, more savings followed.

Hoerbiger Compression Technology is reaping the benefits of a new storage installation provided by System Store Solutions, which cuts an amazing amount of both time and labour.

A new storage infrastructure has reduced the distance parts travel around the shop floor by 30%, which extrapolates to a saving of 259 days per year.

The functionality of the storage has consequently saved 130 working days a year on raw materials handling and has reduced time taken for stock control by 50 working days per annum.

So impressed was Hoerbiger with the initial results and remarkably quick payback of the new storage, that it doubled its order.

Hoerbiger turned to System Store Solutions for a more efficient way of handling and storing its packing rings, which make up 50% of its turnover from the Bradford plant.

To comply with Hoerbiger's just in time (JIT) manufacturing cycle, the new bespoke storage system has introduced better accessibility and organisation with a compact system that integrates seamlessly into the factory floor environment.

Hoerbiger has used the storage system to its full potential and created standardisation, which has led to profitability.

"The take up of this new system has now outstripped the supply," enthused Paul Smith, operations manager at Hoerbiger.

Hoerbiger's own labelling and a link to a proprietary database have further enhanced the accessibility provided by the equipment.

This helps staff locate components easier and faster.

Prior to the installation of the storage, Hoerbiger discovered that, over an eighteen-month period, the manufacturing of 115,000 packing rings involved 19,000 kilometres, which equates to a staggering 454 marathons of employee walking.

Reports show that the new storage installation will demand just 13,500 kilometres of travel (322 marathons) over the same period - a 30% reduction in travel.

Hoerbiger has also found that half an employee's workload each week is also saved on raw materials handling.

This is because the materials are now stored in colour coded multi box units, which improve visibility and accessibility.

A consequence of the new storage installation is the transfer of parts identification to the suppliers.

Predetermined quantities of parts now go directly to the production line, in a straight-to-stock principle.

Hoerbiger, therefore, no longer has to rehandle the material, which used to take up a full day's work for one employee every week.

"This system has completely transformed the way we deal handle materials," emphasised Smith.

"It has allowed us to make many improvements in a short space of time and has also greatly increased our rate of production," he said.

The storage equipment now in place at Hoerbiger includes wall-mounted Eurobins, used for storing component parts; two different kinds of shelving systems, to house the packaging materials; modular trolleys to transfer components to different areas of the factory.

A modular bench unit with lighting enables inspection, assembly and packaging, whilst multibox units store the finished products.

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