SQS Bathrooms Ltd are a SME who produce non-branded bathroom furniture.  Their operations starts with the the manufacture of the cabinet components to the final assembly and despatch of the units. We have worked consistently with them since they approached us in the autumn of 2007

Assemby Work Measurement

We carried out a work measurement exercise using video techniques and MOST to provide Standard Times for a number of their cabinet assembly operation. The resuts showed that they were spending 100% more time per unit than was required.  With the information provided they could target improvement activity and reduce the time to assemble a unti therefore reduce their running costs.

Operational Review

Folloiwng on from the work measurement exercise we carried out a full site operational review, looking at the methods used, the staffing levels, the outputs, the raw materials the back office activities. This consisted of a Rated Activity Sample across the entire factory producing meaningful data as a base line for fuutre business development and productivity impovements. As a result the workforce and raw material uesage has been dramatically reduced.

Production Planning

One of the outputs of the operational review was that there was  a need for a robust production planning system that encompassed stock control and daily and weekly requirements. We have developed a bespoke piece of software that produces cutting lists, build lists, pick lists and despatch lists plus management information that is used as part of the weekly planning activities.  This system has saved as an initial estimate  3 'man' days per week from their operation.

In-Process Measures

On the back of the production planning the system has been further developed to allow 'real-time' reporting of factory performance utilising barcode scanning for inputs and outputs.

Operations Control Function

Supporting the Operations Control Manager under a new management structure in the planning and monitoring of the weekly operation. This includes developing the managers in the use of the information available and to run the operation efficiently and to be able to improve productivity.