Visit the Machine Building Systems web site

Stocking solutions speeds fastener supply

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jan 5, 2005

The latest line-feed stocking solution from Serco Ryan has delivered substantial savings in administration costs and staff time at a UK market leading static holiday home manufacturer.

The latest line-feed stocking solution from Serco Ryan has delivered substantial savings in administration costs and staff time at a UK market leading static holiday home manufacturer.

Serco Ryan staff are on-site monitoring stock during production hours and use a new wireless system to instantly order required components from Serco's main distribution warehouse.

The company produces over 4000 homes annually using ten separate assembly lines, all of which are continuously fed by Serco Ryan with over 200 different types of tools, fasteners and fixings.

"The line-feed stocking and digital ordering system has been designed to simplify product ordering and minimise delays in production caused by shortage of components", explains Serco Ryan General Manager, Jerry Howe.

"Thanks to our extensive range and stocks, we can guarantee delivery of the 200-plus fasteners, fittings and even production consumables needed, directly to the ten production lines exactly when they are required".

"Our staff constantly monitor line-side bins of fasteners and fixings and use a new mobile phone based barcode readers to instantly order new stocks from the main computer at the branch, removing the need to hold expensive stocks and saving all the associated paperwork costs when dealing with multiple suppliers".

Added benefits of the line-feed stocking system included the removal of three operations traditionally used in the assembly process.

Items such as cupboards and doors would have the required fastener kits assembled in the stores and sent to the production line, disassembled and then fitted, however the new system removes these labour intensive operations and saved on storage space.

The company produces in excess of 4000 holiday homes annually which includes seven models each available with over 36 standard optional extras, from foldaway beds to full gas fire ranges.

The company had previously used Serco Ryan for supplying components such as the 9-million-plus screws used annually, but has now extended that with the line-feed system to include fixtures and fittings from hinges and toilet roll holders to handles and cutting tools.

The system has reduced the paperwork for these purchasing areas to one invoice a month, has guaranteed delivery, helping it to significantly reduce costs and exceed production targets.

The 200-plus fasteners, fixings and consumables supplied to the company represent only a small selection of the range available from Serco Ryan.

The company's stock exceeds 80,000 separate product lines, all of which are accessible through a nationwide network of over 40 branches.

In addition to JIT/DLF and Kanban supply management services, Serco Ryan also provides impartial technical advice, including engineered fastening solutions and manufacturing cost reduction studies.