Factory Efficiency
Harford Factory Efficiency Solutions help manufacturers streamline operations, improve resource utilisation, enhance process control and gain real-time actionable insights for continuous improvement. These solutions include Energy Tracking, Material Consumption, Labour Tracking and Monitoring, End-to-End Traceability and Factory Stats (Mobile Apps).
Factory Efficiency Solutions for Optimal Manufacturing Performance
Optimal Factory Efficiency is crucial for manufacturing organisations aspiring to operational excellence and thereby maintain competitive advantage.
Our research into the ultimate Factory Efficiency and discussion with independent company accountants confirms that manufacturers do not always pay sufficient attention to the ‘bottom line’ of their audited accounts. This is especially true during periods of high demand and high inflation.
Manufacturers are often so pre-occupied with increasing or sustaining turnover (revenue), that they pay insufficient, sometimes scant attention to nett profits. Sudden increases in raw material costs, energy costs, mandated salary increases, tax increases, all pushing against fixed selling prices (retailers refuse to accept increased prices), manufacturers can often find that they have achieved substantial increases in sales turnover, but nett profits have either flatlined or even reduced against the previous year.
Benefits of Factory and Manufacturing Efficiency Solutions
Harford efficiency solutions offer a comprehensive set of features and benefits. Labour tracking and monitoring solutions help manufacturers enhance operator accountability by tracking the amount, fluctuations and types of labour. This two-way information and total operational engagement ideally supports the ‘Connected Worker’ methodology.
End-to-end product traceability provides manufacturers with real-time actionable information from the shop floor to the top floor, enabling instant rectification of problems or improvement actions. Factory Stats (mobile apps) provide real-time insights into factory performance and are accessible anytime, anywhere. Staying connected and viewing performance on the go.
Energy Tracking
Energy tracking solutions enable accurate tracking of energy consumption at different levels including granular site, department, line, area, and individual machines. Material consumption solutions help factories effectively track and monitor components, materials, and finished products to enhance efficiency.
Materials Optimisation
‘You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear’ (Rev Jonathan Swift, 1801)
Most will appreciate that a consistently good finished product begins with consistently good quality raw materials. Such reproductible high quality does not happen by accident or coincidence, but by hard work and a persistent demand for high quality raw materials. This hard work and constant application of agreed standards is made much easier by the use of Harford’s quality and LIMS modules.
Measurement is easier, control through applied standards is easier, visibility is instant and shared with the operations team. It’s paperless, but still has full traceability of all entered and calculated results.
Labour Tracking and Monitoring
Labour tracking and monitoring is as important as raw materials tracking, as both labour and materials optimisation have the greatest impact upon bottom line profits.
Harford labour tracking and monitoring solutions help manufacturers ensure the appropriate amount of labour is assigned to use each line, track fluctuations in labour numbers and record different types of labour i.e. employee labour and agency labour. We not only help manufacturers enhance operator accountability but also encourage a culture of positive change within the factory.
End-to-End Traceability
All Harford’s information is measured, analysed and displayed, in real time, through easily understood screens available from the shop floor to the top floor, enabling instant rectification of problems or improvement actions, to sustain and improve performance. This instant visibility puts your team firmly in control and leaves them in no doubt as to the most effective actions to take and when to take them.
Factory Stats (Mobile Apps)
Harford Factory Stats (Mobile Apps) provide real-time insights into your factory’s performance, accessible anytime and anywhere. Managers can easily monitor top-level KPIs (i.e. OEE, wastage, quality PPM, etc.) on iOS or Android systems. Stay connected and view performance globally, regionally, or even at the line level, all on the go.
Why Work with Harford Control?
Over several decades, Harford Control has worked tirelessly with a wide range of factories across five continents to help optimise their production performance.
With the Harford Manufacturing Execution System (MES) tailored to individual needs, it becomes easier to reduce errors, find the hidden wastage and consequently become more efficient, whilst continuing to deliver consistently high quality products, thereby making each business more profitable and sustainable.
Most manufacturers are facing ever increasing input and transformation costs with few opportunities to increase the output price to their customers (High Street Multiples).
This encourages manufacturers to look more deeply into their production processes to find the hidden costs, eliminate wastage and thereby improve efficiency without compromising quality.
The problem of rising input costs and fixed output costs is nothing new and will not end. Therefore performance improvement to drive down transformation costs must be continuous for the business to sustain its market position and avoid losing its place on supermarket shelves to the competition.
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FAQs
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What is factory efficiency?
Factory efficiency refers to the ability of a manufacturing facility to produce goods with minimal waste, optimal resource utilization, and maximum output. It involves streamlining processes, reducing downtime, improving productivity, and minimizing costs while maintaining high-quality standards.
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Why is factory efficiency important?
Factory efficiency is important for several reasons. It directly impacts profitability by reducing operational costs and increasing output. It enables manufacturers to meet customer demands effectively and deliver products on time. Improved efficiency also enhances competitiveness, allows for better resource management, and supports sustainable manufacturing practices.
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How can factory efficiency be improved?
Factory efficiency can be improved through various measures such as implementing lean manufacturing practices, optimizing workflows, investing in automation and advanced technologies, conducting regular performance analysis, training employees, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. By identifying and addressing bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and waste, manufacturers can enhance overall factory efficiency.
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What are the benefits of improving factory efficiency?
Improving factory efficiency brings several benefits, including increased productivity, reduced operational costs, enhanced product quality, shorter lead times, and improved customer satisfaction. It allows manufacturers to utilize resources effectively, optimize capacity, minimize waste, and respond quickly to market demands, resulting in improved profitability and a competitive edge.
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Can factory efficiency be measured?
Yes, factory efficiency can be measured using key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Overall Equipment Efficiency (OEE), production yield, cycle time, downtime, and quality metrics. By monitoring and analysing these metrics, manufacturers can assess the performance of their factory operations, identify areas for improvement, and track progress towards achieving efficiency goals.