Average Quantity
Harford Control assists manufacturers in achieving precise measurement and monitoring of average quantity, ensuring consistency and compliance with quality standards.
Average quantity systems – reducing overfill & wastage
The average quantity system of weights and measures for packaged goods was introduced in 1979 and is used throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. The current regulations – the Weights and Measures (Packaged Goods) Regulations 2006 – cover packaged goods that are sold by weight or volume and apply to both foodstuffs and non-foodstuffs. The rules apply to packages that are made up without the customer being present, intended for sale in pre-determined constant quantities, by weight or volume.
Optimise resources & achieve higher customer satisfaction
While the Average Quantity System protects the consumer from purchasing underfilled product, it mainly benefits you as a manufacturer by accepting the imperfect nature of production processes and thereby reducing overfill and wastage.
They enable precise measurement and monitoring of average quantity, ensuring consistency and compliance with quality standards. By minimising variations and deviations, manufacturers can improve product quality, reduce waste, optimise resources, and achieve higher customer satisfaction.
Average quantity control solutions – the rules
There are three key rules that a batch of packaged goods must, at the time of production, comply with:
Rule 1 (Average): The actual contents of the packages must not be less, on average, than the nominal quantity (the weight or volume that is marked on the package or label)
Rule 2 (T1): The proportion of packages that are below the nominal quantity by a defined amount – the ‘tolerable negative error’ or TNE – T1 must be less than a specified level, in general no more than 2.5%.
Rule 3 (T2): No package should be below the nominal quantity by more than twice the TNE (T2 failure)
Average quantity control for a range of industries
Maintaining average quantity is vital across various industries, including FMCG, Food & Beverage, Heath & Beauty, Pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturers. Precise control over average quantity ensures consistency in product formulations, packaging, and dosage. Companies that fail to comply with regulations risk incurring fines, legal repercussions, reputational harm, and unnecessary wastage.
Wastage Control/Volume Control
Minimisation of overfill/underfill, reducing product waste
Average Quantity Law
Compliance with European standards for precise product quantities
Live Reporting and Analytics
Real-time data insights for proactive decision-making
Cost Reduction
Transformation cost reduction and improvement of the bottom line.
Why Choose Harford Control for Average Quality Control?
A good weighing system will give you the option to choose between sequential and cumulative weighing. Depending on the available weighing scale and the product size, operators can either be prompted to weigh one product after another sequentially, or they can be asked to add another product after each weighing step, cumulatively. The key difference is that the cumulative approach avoids the repeated weighing of the same product, thus eliminating the risk of malfeasance and it is quicker.
The team at Harford have been developing and implementing weighing and weight control systems for over 45 years. We combine the benefits of Average Quantity Law with Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Process Capability, ensuring that optimum control can be achieved – even where high levels of variation exist in the process.
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FAQs
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What does average quantity refer to in manufacturing?
Average quantity in manufacturing refers to the mean value of the quantity or volume of products produced over a specific period. It provides an indication of the typical output or production volume during that time frame. Calculating the average quantity helps manufacturers understand their production capacity, plan inventory levels, and evaluate production efficiency.
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How is average quantity calculated in manufacturing?
Average quantity in manufacturing is typically calculated by dividing the total quantity produced over a specific period by the number of production units or batches. For example, if 1,000 units were produced over a month, the average quantity per day would be calculated by dividing 1,000 by the number of production days in that month.
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How can manufacturers improve their average quantity?
Manufacturers can improve their average quantity by implementing various strategies. This includes optimizing production workflows, streamlining processes, reducing setup and changeover times, improving equipment efficiency, and enhancing workforce productivity. Utilizing data-driven insights, implementing lean manufacturing principles, and investing in automation and technology can also contribute to increasing average quantity and overall production efficiency.
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What role does average quantity play in lean manufacturing?
Average quantity is an important metric in lean manufacturing as it helps identify process waste, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. By monitoring and analysing average quantity, manufacturers can identify bottlenecks, reduce cycle times, and implement lean principles such as just-in-time production and continuous flow. Improving average quantity aligns with lean manufacturing objectives of eliminating waste, improving productivity, and achieving operational excellence.
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How can manufacturers measure and monitor average quantity effectively?
Manufacturers can measure and monitor average quantity effectively by implementing data collection systems, such as manufacturing execution systems (MES) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. These systems enable real-time tracking of production quantities, automated data capture, and analysis of historical data. Regular performance reviews, key performance indicators (KPIs), and visual dashboards can also help monitor average quantity and identify opportunities for improvement.
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+44 (0) 1225 764461Harford Control Ltd is a company registered in England with Company Number 1207483. VAT No. GB 140 2121 39.