As a design-build firm, Storee Construction works in both new construction as well as improving or upgrading existing facilities. In both cases, making the most use of the space is critical when trying to keep pace with your competitors. This includes eliminating waste, improved processes, and increased cycle efficiency.
In some cases, boosting production is just a matter of cutting out unneeded steps on the shop floor. If the manufacturing process can be improved simply by moving equipment around the factory floor for better workflow, it’s a simple solution. Other ways of eliminating waste throughout the production cycle are more involved and need more forethought.
Before any changes or upgrades are made, however, we will do a thorough audit of your building, your processes, and project management. Storee Construction does this to make sure we have a fuller understanding of what your facility does and what improvements you actually need.
For example, will minimizing cycle time during the production cycle cause issues elsewhere along the line? Or does it make sense to make alterations at another point to gain valuable time? We’ll oversee every recommendation from beginning to end to make sure it’s feasible for you, your workers, and Storee Construction.
Consolidation
Even if you’ve been making the same product for the past half-century, improvements in technology, packaging, and even delivery may affect how you do business. With these changes in mind, Storee Construction is able to make changes in your facility to remove unneeded steps or eliminate different processes.
Will updated equipment improve how your facility operates and reduce waste? Can a new piece of equipment do the same work as two existing pieces of equipment? Or will an improved production process render some machinery obsolete? These are the questions we ask when finding ways to improve efficiency.
Automation can be used to consolidate the time it takes to manufacture a product. This isn’t true for all production applications, such as custom pieces ordered by a client. In this case, the lead time is difficult to shorten. But for mass-produced products, money spent on automation can be earned back in reduced cycle time, allowing you to manufacture more products.
Implementing Technology
While you may not have figured out how to use your smartphone to operate the lights inside your home, that same technology can do wonders for your facility. By tracking your production throughout the cycle time, you are able to study analytics to see where waste can be cut.
Many manufacturing, production, and industrial plants are also using sensors to track crews on the workflow. Although some may feel this a bit too close to “Big Brother,” this technology pays immediate dividends on streamlining processes and even improving safety around the building.
Drones can be used to give a different perspective on how the facility floor or help spot potential issues that are difficult to reach. Energy efficiency practices or alternative energy supplies like solar power will start saving money immediately. Improved technology on equipment will keep maintenance schedules up-to-date, preventing costly downtime.
Bigger isn’t always better. Even with small changes or additions, Storee Construction will give you the information you need to make smart decisions for the present and down the road. When it comes time for expansion, you’ll know what you need and how to implement it.
Safety Concerns
Running a lean manufacturing process will certainly save you time and money, in theory, but in practice could cause safety issues for the people on the floor or operate the equipment. Shortened cycle times are important, but not at the expense of serious injuries or even death.
With thoughtful design, any injury is preventable. This includes making sure equipment is well-maintained, proper signage is in place, and safety protocols are followed. At Storee Construction, we include safety measures with every design-build project we’re involved with.
This could be replacing outdated equipment, improved “safe zone” markings for pedestrians, or just double-checking catwalks to make sure they are properly secured. Injuries, no matter how they happen, will cause production to stop, lost man-hours, and lower morale in your crews. Not to mention the cost of insurance, disability payouts, or even fines.
