Case studies
Process modelling and automation
Working smarter - improved performance techniques for food manufacturers
The food manufacturing sector is one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the UK with an annual turnover of around £64 billion and an employment base of nearly 650,000 people. In such a large sector, it is inevitable that there will be opportunities to improve the performance of production through the implementation of modern management techniques and tools.
Research undertaken explored the potential for helping the food industry to improve its manufacturing potential by the application of a range of techniques. These include lean manufacturing, computerised planning and scheduling, computer simulation and total quality management techniques.
A series of case studies have been reviewed to measure how the application of these various techniques has benefited the companies involved. Results across a range of companies identified a number of benefits which include
- 80 per cent improvement of output within the same resource base
- removal of bottlenecks in production lines
- better design of line layout to give greatly improved performance
- reduced cost through waste minimisation
- increased equipment effectiveness
As part of the project, a simulation model (using a typical bakery layout) was developed to graphically present the benefits of computer simulation on product production improvement. This technology simulator is available as a powerful and well established decision making tool in industry.
The tools that we offer will enable your company to consider improvements that will develop responsive and cost effective production plants. Issues that might be addressed include
- waste reduction
- improved plant layouts for more efficient production
- identification of production bottlenecks
- reduction of lead times
- leaner and more effective production
By conducting this kind of research, the team can help you improve profits whilst maintaining quality outputs, based on your specific needs.
Researchers used a typical bakery
layout for a simulation model
