Batch control for Magnet Schultz
28 November 2011
Magnet Schultz has made savings by introducing simple lean manufacturing measures across its production department.
These have resulted in significantly reduced lead times and improved stock control, leading to direct bottom line benefits.
Magnet Schultz Ltd, manufacturers of solenoid-based engineering solutions, is a small business based in Old Woking, Surrey, UK. Design and in-house assembly capabilities under one roof allow the company to provide short lead times on each product.
Recently working with the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East on a lean implementation programme, Magnet Schultz has reshaped its existing shopfloor and removed all unnecessary waste from production.
Production is now self-managed through the use of kanban cards and visual production boards – an effective system that tells Magnet Schultz what to produce, when to produce it, and how much to produce. They also use ABC classification, an effective way of categorising /grouping products, consignment stocking and kanban call-outs, in order to minimise stock holding.
Sylvain Briand, MAS South East Specialist, also facilitated the development of a new second generation line of Electro Kabuki ready for launch. Briand guided Magnet Schultz on a new product development journey whereby Critical-to-Quality requirements were identified, parts count minimised and assembly simplified – the build time for an Electro Kabuki mechanism is now less than a quarter of an hour.
Andrew Newton, Managing Director, Magnet Schultz, said: “We are delighted with the results that lean manufacturing has achieved with our available resources – MAS South East has really kick started our lean journey and we’re keen to continue our learning ensuring that the lessons stick and remain fresh. Using our own internal expertise, we are now planning the lean transformation of future product lines, formalising new product introduction processes.”
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