In any type of factory environment, one of the key goals for managers and leaders is to achieve high levels of productivity throughout the working shifts. In the manufacturing industry, regardless of the scope of operations, high levels of productivity generally contribute to improved efficiency and higher levels of profitability. There is a great need for high productivity in modern factories as competition now takes place on a global scale. A competing company can be based in another country and may benefit from lower labor costs or other advantages. If their products can be shipped to the consumer for a lower price and still with similar quality levels, they will likely gain a larger market share. Put simply, achieving high levels of productivity allows firms to compete at an international level. In this article, three ways to cultivate high levels of productivity in a factory environment will be discussed.
Low maintenance equipment
In any factory, minimizing downtime is a key concern in the goal of achieving high levels of productivity. It is estimated that one hour of downtime in a factory environment can cost as much as $260,000 in lost potential earnings. It is, therefore, vital to keep all machinery and equipment running smoothly and with minimal need for maintenance and repair. One example of how this is achieved in a factory is by using low-maintenance equipment and components. For example, many factories use a side channel blower to transport various gasses used in production processes. These devices are commonly used in food and beverage manufacturing, medical technology, and the textile industry, amongst many other applications. Side channel blowers are designed to transport high volumes of gas and often have no maintenance requirements whatsoever due to their construction. Their minimal maintenance needs mean this is one part of the factory infrastructure that will not need to be accessed on a regular basis. Components such as these are used throughout a modern factory, all with the overall idea of achieving low maintenance levels and, therefore, reduced downtime.
A highly trained workforce
While efficient modern equipment plays a key role in achieving high levels of productivity in a factory, so too does having a highly trained workforce. Many factory tasks require the use of specialist equipment and the need to obtain consistent standards of output quality. Skilled staff will be able to work to higher levels of output while also being highly consistent with their working tasks. In addition, a highly trained workforce will be able to operate machinery safely and effectively. This can dramatically reduce the likelihood of industrial accidents occurring (which may require production lines to be halted) and malfunctions taking place with equipment due to improper use or maintenance.
Reduce waste levels
As a brief final point, factories can enjoy improved overall productivity by seeking to eliminate waste at every stage of their production processes. It is currently estimated that 20% of every dollar spent in manufacturing is wasted through inefficient processes. This can severely impact the profitability of a factory, and as such, steps must be taken to minimize waste. Factories can utilize some scrap materials for other processes, cut down on packaging, and recycle unusable waste products to lower their waste levels.