Design software boosts stairlift profits

Bison turned to the Digital Factory team last July to help it use 3D design software to increase efficiency in its design-manufacturing process.

Consett-based stairlift supplier Bison Bede has boosted its sales by GBP 70,000 per month after calling in experts from the NEPA Digital Factory project.

Bison turned to the Digital Factory team last July to help it use 3D design software to increase efficiency in its design-manufacturing process.

This involved evaluating and adopting new digital engineering methodologies and best practice.

Bob Simms, Bison Bede Purchasing and Logistics Manager, said: "It was important to ensure that our thinking was coherent and that the software solutions adopted not only fitted into an overall company plan but were 'future proofed', at least for the next five years or so".

The Digital Factory project - delivered by the Institute of Automotive and Advanced Manufacturing Practice (AMAP) at the University of Sunderland - delivers training and technology transfer for a wide range of digital engineering technologies, from CAD to factory simulation.

Simms said: "One of AMAP's lead consultants worked with our engineering, IT managers, and RandD staff, including end-users, to establish Bison Bede's preferred working practices and 3D Design Modelling processes".

"Their final customised training material and course delivery not only provided skills training but also a route map and documentation of best practice procedures, as well as recommendations in the use of current applications and their perceived future value and integration".

"The outcome of the assistance has resulted in additional sales revenue for curved product in excess of GBP 70,000 per month as a result of eliminating bottlenecks in working practice, as well as securing employment for existing employees and the creation of two new appointments in our drawing office".

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