Managing Automation - November 2008 - (Page 19)

Advertisement company PROFILE CDC Factory C-Suite Viewpoint David Gallagher , Managing Director, Greencore Group plc, UK Operators and supervisors at a Greencore Group facility discuss their shift’s performance at the CDC Factory console. Q: What business challenges drove you to look for an innovation like CDC Factory? A: We were launching a three-year cost reduction initiative to be driven upward throughout the organization. We already had the operational suite that gives senior management its information, but we lacked information for the people lower down the chain that can really affect the next five minutes. CDC Factory is quite different from any other factory performance management system than I have seen in my career. It is by far the most user-friendly, and it gives us the ability to take the holistic approach we wanted. Q: What were the factors that made this initiative a success? A: From the outset, we communicated that Operations would own and drive the project, because they would be using CDC Factory. We also communicated to the workforce that we wanted them to pressurize the management team a bit more through this initiative. We expect them to do more to improve operations, and less to simply cope. We know this worked well because now I have become more of a ratifier and less of an instigator. That is exactly what we set out to achieve. Q: What are the bottom-line benefits of using CDC Factory? A: We have had several. We have seen an improvement in labour variance by 5%, with the same volume, as a direct result of the workforce’s ability to review its own performance targets. We also had a net gain of 2% resulting from yield improvements, which came about by standardizing our working practices and reducing in-line waste. From the more accurate information we now get from the shop floor, we are doing a better job of bringing our products to market with more intelligent costing and capacity planning information. What is impressive about these improvements is that our operators had a direct hand in making them — these were not top-down mandates, but workforce-led changes that we continue to build upon for future improvement and growth. LOG IN TODAY AND DISCOVER: • Rich Editorial Content • Product Showcases and News • Case Studies • White Papers • Podcasts • User Forums • And much more! www.managingautomation.com/CDCPPS CDC Factory Two Concourse Parkway Suite 800 Atlanta, GA 30328 USA Phone: +1 770-351-9600 www.cdcfactory.com http://www.managingautomation.com/CDCPPS http://www.cdcfactory.com http://www.cdcfactory.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Managing Automation - November 2008

Managing Automation - November 2008 Contents Take 1 At One-Year Mark, Wonderware President Focuses on Empowering Plant Operators Oracle Demos Fusio Apps, Reveals Delays Baan Founder Says BPM Will Replace ERP Emerson Talks Wireless at Annual User Group Event Merger Complete, Intercim Focuses on Collaboration Notes Cover Story: The New Supply Chain Reality Special Report: Keep Out Integration: The On-Demand Interchange Industries: Ending the Endless Waves of Paper Product Scan Advertiser Index Next

Managing Automation - November 2008

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