Product category:
Pneumatic Actuators, Motors, Accessories
News Release from: Festo
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 20 April 2000
Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo
full circle
Global machine tool manufacturer in the woodworking industry Wadkin is consolidating the supply of its pneumatic equipment by selecting one sole supplier from a base of 14 suppliers.
The drive to reduce costs while maintaining an increasingly high-tech and efficient approach to production is a challenge that many manufacturers face in all areas of industry Vendor reduction is an increasingly common commercial strategy but sourcing from a single, proficient supplier can deliver substantial cost savings and propagate a mutually beneficial business relationship that inspires co-operation and confidence
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 5 Mar 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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These considerations were the driving force behind the decision by Wadkin, a leading global machine tool manufacturer in the woodworking industry, to consolidate the supply of its pneumatic equipment by selecting one sole supplier from a base of fourteen suppliers.
With a target of reducing material costs by 40%, the Leicester-based company issued a competitive tender to compare all the major pneumatic suppliers in all areas of business performance.
The stringent selection process required each supplier to quote on a kit of parts comprising components equivalent to those used on a moulding machine.
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Ultra-Thin Slide Cylinder introduced
Festo has introduced an ultra-thin slide pneumatic cylinder into its miniature cylinder range.
The seven most cost-effective suppliers were then requested to present company credentials, from which five were asked to recommend the most economical and technically suitable pneumatic solutions for two machines: a moulder and a router.
Three companies made the final short-list.
In the final analysis, Wadkin awarded the contract to Festo, Europe's market-leading pneumatic automation specialist.
Primarily this was due to the superiority of its technical understanding, detailed implementation methods and plans, and highly cost-sensitive approach.
Dave Bowyer, Business Development Consultant at Festo, worked closely with Wadkin's engineers.
"We looked in detail at the special applications required for Wadkin's machines, and, for the highest cost areas designed and developed a completely new product using less components and highly competitive mehtods of manufacture.
"These involve cold press aluminium tooling for making component bodies and plastic moulding for piston and piston rod assemblies.
By investing in tooling capabilities, we are able to offer Wadkin a highly competitive price and deliver the returns the business requires." Festo also chose to scrutinise Wadkin's process engineering and investigate the total bill of materials and associated documentation.
With the supply of 3000 to 4000 components per year on the schedule, Festo was able to recommended the storing of 'kits of parts', rather than individual components.
These kits are supplied on a just-in-time basis, reducing administration and inventory holding while improving manufacturing efficiency and delivering further cost savings.
"We have signed a five-year agreement and are now carrying out on-site developments to ensure that a completely smooth transition to the new working methods takes place", says Bowyer.
"Working with Wadkin is like completing the circle for Festo, as the company's origins lie in the woodworking industry more than 70 years ago", he notes. Request free introductory details about products from Festo ...
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