FLEXO INSIGHT - Lesley Hide

In the last issue of Converting Today I talked about the absolute need to optimise the Flexo Process, drive up efficiency and reduce downtime and waste, says Lesley Hide, MD of EFTA, who has been meeting up with some manufacturers across the UK.

On my travels through the UK I have been privileged to see some of the most efficient converters in Europe. Many have, over the past 2 – 3 years been able to invest in the latest state of the art machinery equipped with many features that will allow them to take advantage of built in systems aimed at reducing set-up time and waste. But not all of them do have the latest equipment – some do, but some don’t. What they do all have in common though is an understanding of what makes an efficient printer from a manufacturing perspective. Without exception the most efficient converters I have seen have

¦¦ Immaculately tidy factories – with a place for everything and everything where it should be;

¦¦ Very clean factories – no random ink spillages on the floor or overfilled waste bins or tools littering the place up;

¦¦ Extremely clear and unambiguous job instructions and procedures to follow to minimise set up times and waste and maximise ‘right first time’;

¦¦ A commitment to regular equipment maintenance;

¦¦ Clear targets and performance indicators, well displayed for everyone in the factory to see and not hidden away in a manager’s drawer;

These are just the visible bits. The underlying philosophy of these companies is one of constant improvement or ‘kaizen’. Never satisfied with the status quo, the search for the next improvement is always on. Why? – well undoubtedly the commercial pressures we, as an industry face, have a major part to play – but the stability of the flexo process now allows companies to focus on the incremental improvements in manufacturing performance that will differentiate them from the rest. It also affords companies the opportunity to really get their employees involved in improvement. No longer a top down approach but getting everyone involved should give greater employee satisfaction, commitment and hopefully enjoyment at work as well as improved financials.

EFTA will be focusing its work in the areas discussed aove over the next few months.