It’s easy to think of a manufacturing line as some kind of wider picture puzzle with various slotted elements to figure out. But it’s more like a machine itself, in need of continual maintenance, staff management, and logistics. While you rely on each manufacturing component, they are arguably one of the least important measures in the system, because without your correct attendance, policies and engineering, it wouldn’t function at all, like an out-of-service train rusting in its lot.
For this reason, keeping manufacturing working smoothly will also require a systemic view. From using transponder repair services with Houghton International https://www.houghton-international.com/service/transformer-repair-services/, to cleaning your line, enforcing regular safety checks and knowing when to halt production, it’s important to make sure everything is in place before you press the button to begin production.
In this post, we’ll discuss three systems that keep your manufacturing process, and why you shouldn’t operate without them:
Logistics
The logistics of your manufacturing line will determine if it can operate with care. For instance, a healthy supply of raw materials must be scheduled, stored and prepared so that it can be used in your manufacturing process. This means working out reliability clauses with suppliers and having backups on hand. It also means being able to transport and load certain items carefully from place to place, safely, and with caution. For instance, qualified forklift drivers working in your warehouse must follow stringent safety protocols to ensure logistics are well-designed, but also safe in a busy, moving environment.
Human Resources
Human resources is essential to plan for, because people are the most important element of your manufacturing line, even if it’s mostly automated. Regular safety review, accountability checks, allowing staff to report if they feel bad or need time off work (an unfocused employee in a manufacturing line can be a dangerous thing), all of this can be curated and enforced by your human resources department. Moreover, they have the power to promote or discipline based on performance, and the latter especially if basic safety features, like the upkeep of maintenance or the replacement/proper storage of safety gear has not been followed. This way, you ensure the people working your line are the best for the job, and always trained correctly.
Inventory Management
Of course, without good inventory management, then tracking the products coming and going from your manufacturing line, calculating the number of items at various stages of production, and ensuring your warehouse is properly stocked will be harder to do. A scan system that can tag labels will help you keep appropriate counts, as will many stage checkers that allow you to properly understand where a miscount may have occurred will all be worth your time to plan.
With this advice, we hope you can keep your manufacturing process keep ticking over in the best way; giving you the time and space to optimize, develop efficiency, and also ensure safety at all levels, which is always the most important thing.
Join the conversation: