Every manufacturing business is looking for ways to improve, whether it is in the production performance of its workers, an increase in profits, or the quality of the work that is presented to the customer. There are key areas that your business could improve that would affect all of these outcomes, but it all depends on what you choose to invest in to get to the desired outcome.
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#1. Introducing shift patterns
To keep your business’s workload moving, you can introduce the concept of shift patterns– either temporarily to cover a particularly busy periodor more permanently. There are different types of shift patterns to choose from, or you could go for something a bit more bespoke so that your employees have a choice.
For instance, there is the 12-hour shift pattern, which could split your workforce in two. One half would cover the early shift (6 am to 6 pm) while the other half work the opposite hours.Alternatively, you could introduce a twilight shift to work the evenings as well as continue your day shift if you do not want your employees working throughout the night.
#2. Updating old machinery
There are some excellent reasons why you should update your existing machinery when possible. Old machinery is likely to break down more often or cause a frustrating amount of downtime. As well as being less energy efficient than updated models – or even incompatible with some newer production materials – it could mean that your old machinery is costing your business more money as time goes on.
You are likely to find that new machines now exist that may not have been available to you when you first started your manufacturing business. Machines such as rotary compressors, which are designed to make manufacturing work easier and quicker for the operatives, are now far more efficient than they used to be. As such, it is important to learn more about modern rotary compressors and how they can help your manufacturing company.
#3. Reducing idle stock
A lot of manufacturing sites find themselves harboring idle stock – whether this happens to be components waiting to be used on the shop floor or finished products waiting to be ordered by customers.
To keep your warehouse running at its most efficient, you should aim to keep excess stock at a bare minimum. You can achieve this by ordering new stock only when your inventory gets to a certain level. Only ordering the minimum amount you will need to produce your monthly orders will mean that your warehouse will likely start running faster and more efficiently. You can also clear dormant products from your warehouse shelves by offering customers discounts or special offers for a limited time.
#4. Organizing delivery zones
Create delivery zones for your delivery drivers – you can provide set days for certain rounds rather than having your drivers crisscrossing each other’s paths or even traveling backward and forward to the same area day after day.
You can do this by offering your customers discounts for deliveries on the days you want them to choose and charging them a premium for delivery days when your drivers are not in their areas. This will cut down on wasted traveling time, as well as save on gas and wear and tear of your vehicles.
