Page 16 - Industrial Technology July 2021

DESIGN ENGINEERING

THINK FASTENERS FIRST

FASTENERS & ADHESIVES

WHEN JOHN F. KENNEDY VISITED THE NASA SPACE CENTER IN 1962, HE INTRODUCED HIMSELF TO THE
CLEANER AND ASKED WHAT HE WAS DOING. THE CLEANER REPLIED “WELL, MR. PRESIDENT, I’M HELPING
PUT A MAN ON THE MOON.” THERE ARE PARALLELS IN MANUFACTURING, WHERE EVERY PERSON,
REGARDLESS OF THEIR FUNCTION, AND EVERY COMPONENT, REGARDLESS OF ITS SIZE, CONTRIBUTES TO A
LARGER PICTURE. WAYNE CORCORAN OF VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY (VMI) PROVIDER TFC, EXPLAINS
HOW CONSIDERING C-CLASS COMPONENT SUPPLY EARLY CAN SET MANUFACTURERS UP FOR SUCCESS.

s companies gear up for growth post lockdown, the crucial factors are minimising inventory and locating it supply chain specialists may suggest a central store
many are launching initiatives to expand existing in the right place. solution. While this is an adequate option in many cases,
facilities, open new ones or simply optimise their it does mean valuable time is lost as employees walk from
Acurrent processes. When building a new facility Making the best of limited space their station to the central store to collect the required
or expanding an existing one, fasteners – like NASA’s If space is tight, it becomes more important to avoid components. In many cases, it is more efficient for the
janitor – may seem like a less glamorous component overstocking of components. A third-party supply chain fasteners to be delivered direct to the point of use. While
compared with machine tools, robots or connected partner can assess the site to determine both the it is possible to work around space constraints if needed,
software solutions. However, there is a lot to be gained by minimum and maximum levels, to make sure there is a thinking about fastenings as part of facility design can
considering C class components at an early stage. sufficient supply of parts to prevent downtime, but not so ensure you have space for all the components you need.
Considering fastener supply early when designing a many that it will take too much space. They will assess
new facility enables manufacturers to best manage the your site and interpret historic data to understand the Two specific examples from the field
available space. For example, in a facility without a needs of your business and devise a strategy. For example, TFC worked with a start-up as it moved into
dedicated fastener storage space, the manufacturer must When choosing a partner to manage your supply base, a multi-million purpose-built facility, where fastener
retrospectively devise an effective way of delivering it is important to know that it offers flexible, tailored supply was not prioritised up front. As a new company, it
essential components to the line, to the right work area, at solutions, which can maximise the opportunities for your had usage data on what parts were needed, but it was not
the right time. Luckily, there are ways to work around this; business. If there is limited space at the point of use, specific to the points of use in the new facility. TFC worked
closely with the customer to devise tailored
VMI solution for its fasteners, consumables
and personal protective equipment. After
gaining a detailed understanding of the
business, TFC suggested a two-phased
approach, first installing a central stores
VMI solution, before moving to direct to
line once satisfactory output volumes were
achieved.
In another example, TFC was called in
to help a manufacturer who was opening a
new site. The customer had historical data
on usage from other facilities, so TFC could
assess minimum and maximum levels and
implement a solution that suited the
available space. Close collaboration with
the customer was essential to deliver a
solution that worked around space and
manufacturing requirements.
C-class components may not be the
first thing to mind when thinking about
growing a business, but we encourage you
to think fasteners first. Just like every
employee at NASA directly contributes to a
mission’s success, a managed solution for
C-class components can make a big
difference.
An experienced VMI provider like TFC
can guide you through the process, consult
you on the options and devise and
implement a plan, so your business can
grow, thrive and focus on what you do
best.
MORE INFORMATION: www.tfc.eu.com

16 INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY • July 2021