Smarter Efficiencies
Dean Hodges, sales and marketing director of Business Micros (Aluminium) Ltd, suggests that the future in fabrication for aluminium windows, doors, shop front systems and curtain walling lies with smarter operational efficiencies through investment, training and better software.
The UK is the world’s sixth largest manufacturer measured by output amounting to £150 billion per annum to the economy and this is around half of all UK exports. When it comes to investment in plant and machinery, this amounts to £16 billion per annum in the sector, part of a total investment of £120 billion which covers manufacturing, construction and service companies.
These may be significant numbers but the facts remain that companies need to invest to stay ahead of the game and with it improve their operational efficiencies and that includes aluminium systems fabricators. Ifcnvestment in machinery alone only addresses some of the improvements in operational efficiencies as the processes and software that go with it have also got a major part to play.
In some instances software within the window industry is just seen as a means to generate a cutting sheet, but for those smarter companies it is seen as the hub of the company and the means in which to improve processes from data entry through to direct machinery links for optimisation. Manufacturing methods in the early 20th century suggested that if there were problems and difficulties then the solution would be to throw more labour at it. Yet the Japanese economy boomed following the introduction of smarter working methods and machinery automation.
It must also be noted that there are differences in general between the PVCu industry and the aluminium/industrial sectors for windows, doors, shop front systems and curtain walling. Ignoring the obvious differences in the number of market players in each sector, when it comes to the manufacturing and fabrication of aluminium, products are mechanically jointed by means of crimping, while PVCu windows are generally welded.
When it comes to software the PVCu industry relies on specialist 3rd party software suppliers such as our sister company Business Micros, where as the aluminium sector has in the past relied on the software supplied by the systems company, until now. Some of the software packages supplied by the systems companies are limited as their key skill set is product systems much in the same way that Microsoft stick with software and haven’t diversified into hardware.
Furthermore fabricators manufacturing more than one system have in the past been forced to enter data in multiple times leaving room for both greater error and the additional time needed. There’s an IT term called GIGO which stands for Garbage In, Garbage Out so if the data entry isn’t correct in the first place then the entire production process is likely to be adversely affected. Being able to process designs across several systems eliminates the need for multiple data entry and makes for greater operational effectiveness.
So what can software contribute to ‘smarter efficiencies’ for the aluminium fabricator? Effective software needs to have the ability to manage several systems companies’ data given the fact that many of the leading fabricators use several systems. This should also facilitate the production of accurate multiple quotes for different systems, all from a single data input. Given the nature of the commercial work undertaken by such fabricators, cross section drawings with direct links to AutoCAD and the calculation of ‘u’ values and structural analysis will also be required. Finally, links to CNC machinery and automatic saws will also add to the ‘smarter’ approach as we’ve demonstrated when working with the likes of Elumatec and Promac (Emmegi).
The importance placed on helping fabricators become more effective is also reflected by the machinery companies and Elumatec’s forthcoming in-house show will add to this premise where they will be showcasing the latest CNC machinery, automatic saws, corner crimpers etc. Last years’ show was a huge success with several partners sharing the opportunity including BM (Aluminium) and several leading aluminium systems companies.
Software and machinery are two of the key ingredients in making smarter efficiencies and effective management and training may be considered a third. Training in particular has often been neglected across the industry and is something that the collective construction industry is working hard to address as the recent Skillbuild initiative from Construction Skills has shown.
We have as an industry always been focused on material costs and not necessarily on operational efficiencies which can generate significant cost savings. But just as importantly they can also contribute to fewer mistakes, better product quality and more accurate management information. There’s no better time than the present to implement smarter operational efficiencies and make your good business an ever better one.
Posted on
29th Jan 09
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