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 With turnover in the first quarter of 2010 almost 60 per cent higher than 12 months ago and in excess of 100 totally new components being processed so far this year through the Reading facility of Rodmatic’s Multico and Hytek divisions, the company’s focus on cost reductions and productivity improvement has meant tool costs have been maintained within 2009 levels.
Said managing director Brian Steatham: “Even while introducing new work our focus on productivity and eliminating waste has become a major contributor to control of expenditure and improving competitiveness. By installing two automated vending cabinets, for instance within our 30,000 ft² workshops, it has helped control the 1,700 different tooling elements we have on our books. As a result we have improved cash flow but also introduced better control, improved efficiency, eliminated shortages and created gains from time lost when setters would normally search for items they needed.”
The vending system uses password entry and requires works order number input for any withdrawal or deposit of tooling. This has closed the loop with weekly reporting giving the management team greater awareness of day to day activities. In addition, problems are now highlighted such as excessive or unaccountable useage of an item and the identification of slow movers or dead stock that would normally stagnate within the stores area.
As Mr Steatham maintains: “The effects of recession has put a new focus on the business and has encouraged us to devote time to look at areas for improvement in support of our 38 multi-spindle autos in the Multico operation and CNC turn-mill, sliding head lathe, wire EDM and vertical machining centre cells in the Hytek division.”
The higher efficiency gains have not only led to the winning of new contracts but also according to Mr Steatham: “Enabled us to provide a more predictive service to our existing customers.”
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