Productive practices promise efficiency boost at Wilsanco

The introduction of more efficient work practices by Dungannon-based Wilsanco Plastics has resulted in extra machine capacity that is expected to realise additional sales of almost £500,000 per year.

The company is now achieving more from the same input of staff and machinery, thus improving Wilsanco’s market competitiveness.

Wilsanco Plastics, which manufacturers packaging for the food industry, achieved the efficiencies after taking part in a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) programme run by Invest N’s Business Support Services.

Jerome Kerr, Factory Manager at Wilsanco, said: “Working with Invest NI’s Business Support team we identified the need to maximise staff capacity and flexibility and fully exploit the potential of our latest investments in machinery. This will allow us to meet the increasing demand from customers for smaller batches and quicker delivery.”

Through the TPM programme Invest NI supported the company in employing an experienced consultant who worked with staff in the key manufacturing areas to look at reducing changeover times. Changeovers were identified as being a major factor affecting flexibility, delivery performance and capacity. By the end of the programme the company had achieved a 50% reduction in print changeover time and a 50% reduction in tool changeover for the moulding team.

“We are now committed to continuous improvement and the adoption of best practice techniques right across the organisation," he added.

"We hope to work further with Invest NI to identify other areas where we can reduce changeover times and so respond more quickly to our customers. As well as the impact on the bottom line we’ve benefited from the positive team-building experience of the project."

Peter Mc Carron, Business Improvement Service, Executive in Invest NI said it was essential for companies to "maximise equipment and staff output to be able to compete profitably on a global basis".

(SP)