Efficiency is good for any business. It doesn’t matter what you make or what price you sell it for, because you have to make sure that you do everything you can to streamline your process as much as possible.
Don’t Waste any Materials
If you waste material then this will cost you time, money and energy. This is the last thing that you need, but there are ways that you can stop this from happening. This could include recycling scraps, or even trying to optimise your process so that it uses up all of the available material. Think about it, could you use more of that sheet metal before you make the decision to scrap it? Could you sharpen your tools rather than buying new ones? Every bit of scrap you throw away really is an opportunity for you to improve your process. If your wastage comes from human error then RNA Automation may be able to help you with that.Source: Pexels (CC0 License)
Improve Training
It’s important to know that there is absolutely no substitute for real-world training. You need to take stock in your employees by giving them the training they need, and you also need to help them troubleshoot as much as they can. If everyone who works on your factory floor has a good handle on the entire manufacturing process, then they will have a way better understanding of their role and how the process works overall.
Quantify as Much as you Can
Assign a point value to every single aspect of your manufacturing process. Material costs might be obvious, but you also need to take into account man-hours, wear and tear, equipment and so much more. If you are able to assign numbers to every part of your manufacturing process, then this will make it easier for you to see which areas require some degree of immediate action.
Organise Everything
Organisation is key if you want to have an efficient workspace. Have a look at your factory floor, do you have hand tools which are easy to find? Do you have a pile of waste products that are piling up in the corner? Are materials, instructions and parts in the right place? If not, then this could be impacting your team’s overall productivity, and this is the last thing that you need.
Equipment Failure
Preventative maintenance means performing tasks in-advance so that your machinery doesn’t suffer. If you do not make the effort to do this then you may find that you experience way more break-downs and this can cause you serious issues in the future. If you are having a hard time working out what needs maintaining, then a quality software can help you with this. Invest in one which gives you the chance to monitor repairs and maintenance jobs, as this will help you to know if your efforts are paying off. Little things like this can significantly improve the efficiency of your company and you would be surprised at what a difference it can make to your bottom line.
Experiment With A New Style Of Manufacturing
Have you been working with the same outdated systems for some time? As this could certainty be holding you back from improving efficiency. There are countless styles of manufacturing that you can explore, with JIT or Just In Time often being the most productive option for your manufacturing business to explore. Choosing to implement something such as the Kanban lean manufacturing system can certainly aid you and your team in reaching efficiency levels never seen before, and finding something like the Teamhood website is a good place to start. Always do your research whenever you are considering overhauling your current operational systems, as you do not want the risk of unexpected consequences that could damage your business in any way. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a specialist consultant if you’re unsure of where to begin in terms of manufacturing style improvements, as they will be able to assess your current model while accommodating your individual future needs.
