English - Nooteboom Giants on the Road Magazine English - Nr. 6 - 2019 | Page 49

COMPONENTS
■ 
Automated production of components reduce the lead time of trailers
The extensive automation of the
production of components offers
many advantages. First of all, the
lead times are reduced significantly.
In many cases even from weeks to a
few hours. Automation also makes
the production flexible and the
components meet very high quality
standards.
Raymond: “At first some of
our employees were afraid that
automation of the production
would put their jobs at risk. That
idea has disappeared completely.
We have to automate because in
the coming years it will become
increasingly difficult to find skilled
technical personnel. Our employees
now understand the need for
automation, because the quality
is improved and with the new
machines some of the demanding
and dirty jobs can be avoided. I can
safely say that everyone - from
management to engineering and
production - is extremely satisfied
with the steps we have taken. This is
important progress.”  ■
■ 
In the background the towers in which the steel plates for the laser cutting machine are stored
49