TECH
PRODUCTION PROWESS
Meet the Tees firm which is improving production line processes for a range of world-renowned products
WORDS : SARAH WALKER
Marks and Spencer cakes , a Mulberry Handbag and black and white camera film reads like a very random list of distinctively different products – so it ’ s difficult to see what they could possibly have in common .
However , the answer is not too far away at Billingham-based Tascomp , which has installed and adapted its world class manufacturing efficiency system PlantRun for a range of companies manufacturing all these products – and more .
All companies are under relentless pressure to make their products better , at the same time as producing them more efficiently and at the lowest possible price .
This is where PlantRun comes in , with state-of-the-art digital tools to replace time-consuming paper-based data capture processes on machines and production lines .
This digital data is turned into useful reports that can be sent directly to the relevant people and acted upon in seconds .
PlantRun can automatically collect performance data directly from machines , lines and even manual operations – with some systems that capture every time someone picks up or puts down a particular tool – before transforming this into accurate , live information .
Ashley Tizard , managing director of Tascomp , explained : “ PlantRun improves the efficiency of manufacturing production lines and plant machinery .
“ We have put the system into all different kinds of manufacturing environments .
“ Of the different kinds of businesses we work with , some are companies people will have heard of like Stannah Stairlifts and others are more obscure , but the coverage that we have with PlantRun across the manufacturing sector is immense .”
Sometimes , as with Marks and Spencer cakes , people know the product PlantRun has been involved with – but not the company behind them .
BBF is a major manufacturer for a lot of supermarket desserts and cakes – including
Improving output – Tees firm Tascomp is working with world-renowned names to improve manufacturing efficiency systems .
Marks and Spencer .
Last year , Tascomp worked with BBF to implement a PlantRun production and equipment efficiency system at its Hull site .
Based on the rapid improvements already achieved , it is expanding the system to sites in Blackburn and Bradford .
Another success for PlantRun includes introducing tablet-based recording of quality issues at Mulberry handbags , linked to large screen TVs which visualise the data .
Tom Breingan , UK production planning manager at the firm , said this had motivated staff and provided a focal point for everyone involved with production .
Ashley said : “ Our work is very broad across small , medium and large multinational companies , who all have to improve their manufacturing processes .
“ If they are not moving forwards , they are moving backwards .”
With all companies focused on continuous improvement , Tascomp is a
High tech – Tascomp has installed and adapted its world class manufacturing efficiency system , PlantRun , for a range of global companies . key player supporting businesses to look at their manufacturing lines and identify how they can increase throughput .
Tascomp has also introduced PlantRun to steel giant ArcelorMittal , the printing division of greetings card retailer Card Factory , a manufacturer of titanium products , HGV trailer manufacturer Lawrence David and a manufacturer of electronic boards for engine management units , to name but a few .
And while the use of digital technology may make it seem PlantRun is something new , Ashley explained : “ The original version of PlantRun was developed more than 32 years ago .
“ Since then , it has evolved to embrace the emergence of new technologies several times , with the result being an advanced system that can now instantly record what is going on in real time on any production line .”
As well as having clients across Europe , the US , South Africa and Saudi Arabia , Tascomp is keen to develop its links with local industry .
PlantRun is a key feature in the Industrial Digitalisation Technology Centre ( IDTC ) at Teesside University , which showcases cutting edge ‘ Industry 4.0 ’ technologies to local SMEs .
“ Even though we do work all over the world , we would like to support local companies with our technology , to improve the regional economy and help the next generation achieve their ambitions with well paid jobs ,” Ashley added .
Find out more about PlantRun at plantrun . co . uk .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 55