In this exclusive article, the Head of NBC (Nordic Baltics Countries) Torbjörn Lundberg from SMC shares insights on the ever-evolving world of automation and its profound impact on various industries.
In an increasingly complex industrial environment and with fierce competition, every step of production must be optimized and questioned. The lack of time today is a cramped sector for many companies and something that can stand in the way of further expansion. Focusing on the core business and instead outsourcing selected parts of the production to an external partner can be a way to become more efficient and competitive. The time can instead be invested in an increased production rate or used for product and process development, marketing and developing new customers.
Some industries are far ahead in the streamlining work
In some industries, it is natural to maximize efficiency by outsourcing larger or smaller parts of production to contract manufacturers. Outsourcing things that are outside the company's own core business is simply a natural way to have more time for direct value-creating activities.
Within e.g. the automotive industry, several different sub-assemblies are purchased via subcontractors. Everything from cable-packages to entire dashboards will be assembled and ready to be screwed into the chassis – then just connect. One would not dream of going back to the time when each instrument and each part was mounted separately.
Production optimization for machine manufacturers
Also, for a number of actors other than car manufacturers, there can be great advantages in outsourcing certain work steps, it is just a matter of taking the time to question and challenge current methods. For many machine manufacturers, for example, production could be optimized by outsourcing the assembly of standard products to a supplier who is an expert in doing that type of work. Just because you can do something does not actually mean that you should do it!
What are the gains for a machine builder by buying sub-assemblies instead of parts and components?
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Simplified purchasing procedure; just an article number – for the whole assembly
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Time saving: possibility of just-in-time solutions and delivery to the place where the machine is built
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Space saving: no inventory needed
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Cost efficiency: thanks to fast and experienced assembly personnel at the sub-assembly manufacturer, usually many times faster than own personnel and thus at a lower cost
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Flexibility: with varied workload you only pay for the assemblies that are done and have no fixed costs
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The right dimensioning, good-looking solutions, tested and ready to use
Potential areas for efficiency improvements
One area worth taking a closer look at is the installation of automation components, where the opportunity to buy ready-made solutions becomes an important added value for those who assemble their systems themselves. This frees time to develop new machines, review processes, make customer visits and plan marketing activities. Or it gives an opportunity to increase production capacity and meet the need that already exists. No matter what the time is used for, it is often crucial for a company to be able to expand.
SMC has many years of experience in designing and assembling automation solutions for various applications, a service that we have chosen to call Customized assembly. In addition to a large time saving for the customer, the service also entails space savings because the need for storage and installation area is reduced, as well as increased flexibility with varied workload as you only pay for the assemblies that are actually done. In addition, the cost is usually lower than if you do the assembly yourself due to the SMC staff's extensive experience and custom of assembling this type of subsystems.
We have developed a guide to show how our assembly services can optimize the operations of manufacturing companies and provide time for more value-creating activities. Our hope is that with the help of the guide you will be able to identify the areas where your company can become even more efficient and thus increase productivity!
Download the Guide here
Some areas that the guide touches on and that are suitable for streamlining are:
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Components in dusty and dirty environments - install in a cabinet
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Components scattered on machine stands - collect on a mounting plate
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Multiple recurring components - pack together in one machine kit
The guide also gives you information on what savings and efficiencies you can count on if these types of production work are outsourced to a partner such as SMC.
