Seiki Systems, a specialist provider of real-time production management solutions, has announced that West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. has successfully implemented the Seiki production scheduling solution at its dedicated Bodmin facility.
Pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device companies around the world rely on West for standard-setting systems and device components for parenterally administered medicines. Its Bodmin facility is responsible for producing moulds and tools used in the company's numerous manufacturing sites, so accurate production planning and scheduling is essential for the smooth running of the entire group.
Paul Dunn is Plant Manager of the Bodmin facility and explains why the company needed to upgrade its production scheduling capabilities. "The implementation of a new planning and costing system has been driven by customer demand for shorter lead times and more accurate delivery forecasts. This is a very challenging combination in an environment of one-off and small batch production involving complex and variable process routes, a requirement that our existing system cannot meet."
He continues, "We needed a sophisticated and flexible scheduling system, capable of dealing with the complexities of our processes, but still user friendly. After a comprehensive assessment of a number of solutions we concluded that the Seiki system has all the functionality we require, but is straightforward and intuitive to use."
The Seiki solution comprises the assembly level Seiki Scheduler with work queues, Shop Floor Data Collection (SFDC) and touch screen PCs which work together to provide real-time updating of the tooling production schedule. It also provides the detailed time analysis by job which enables the company's SAP Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to be updated with accurate information that can then be used for job costing. The Seiki solution has also provided comprehensive on-site implementation assistance and training to ensure that the system, currently being run in test mode, is fully integrated and ready to go live at the same time as SAP.
Dunn again, "When fully implemented we anticipate having the ability to reduce lead times by optimising the utilisation of our existing resources and to be able to provide more accurate delivery times including 'what if' scenarios, together with real-time data for cost collection and analysis."
Seiki's Neil Saunders, who is the appointed account manager for West, commented on the business win. "One of the greatest drivers for the implementation of Seiki's finite capacity Scheduler is to fully extract the benefits of real-time visibility and control of the manufacturing process based on a realistic model of true available capacity. The Seiki Scheduler provides a dynamic, fast and flexible solution to a typically complex management procedure. Our aim is always to work with organisations to secure their return on investment. This means that our highly experienced team are committed to ensuring West realises the full benefits of our solution and has maximum confidence in its investment, today, tomorrow and into the future."
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