Turning wasted minutes into productivity gains
PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES AUTOMATION BY THE HOUR
GUIDANCE AUTOMATION
Turning wasted minutes into productivity gains
How a simple shift in thinking is helping manufacturers overcome hidden inefficiencies without risky investments.
In a medical equipment factory, five welders were often drawn away from their stations for material handling. Analysis revealed just 10 minutes of every hour was spent on their craft. The rest? Walking to collect parts or deliver finished goods.
Then came a simple change: a single autonomous vehicle to handle material movements. Suddenly, welding time tripled to 30 minutes an hour. The result was a threefold increase in output, without hiring extra staff.
A similar issue was found in a cushion factory, where 50 machinists spent several minutes each hour walking materials across the floor. It seemed minor – until the figures were calculated. Those short trips added up to more than 30 lost hours every day, the equivalent of four additional employees. Automating transport didn’ t remove jobs; it gave machinists their time back.
These inefficiencies hide in plain sight. For decades, manufacturers have accepted them as unavoidable. But as the UK pushes to reclaim its spot among the world’ s top manufacturing nations, they’ re costing billions in lost productivity.
So why isn’ t automation everywhere? Three reasons: high upfront costs, fear of complexity and uncertainty over who to trust. Traditional automation often feels like a gamble – big capital outlay, uncertain ROI, and the risk of idle equipment.
That’ s why a new approach is gaining traction: Automation by the Hour. The idea is simple: pay only for the hours a robot works. No huge upfront investment. No long-term commitment. And the risk? It’ s shared. If a robot saves you six hours of labour, you only pay for three – the rest of the savings stay with you.
The technology is deployed at your site for six months and fine-tuned to your workflow. If it’ s not the right fit, you walk away – no strings and no commitment.
The goal isn’ t to replace people; it’ s to let them do what they do best – skilled work that adds value. Because when you stop paying people to walk and start letting them produce, those wasted minutes become your biggest opportunity.
Get in touch and discover how flexible automation can unlock productivity in your operation.
Call us on + 44 116 243 6250 or email us at: enquiries @ guidanceautomation. com
No CapEx or fees ROI within an hour
For further information, please visit www. guidanceautomation. com
96 PECM Issue 76