• APS Group is a marketing solutions provider, established in 1961.

• Operating from numerous locations across the UK and Europe, APS is building a strong presence through the development of on-site services, account management and fully-equipped creative studios.

• APS is committed to the identification and application of emerging manufacturing technologies and processes, in order to add value to its clients and maintaining its environmental responsibilities.

Pressing on with a LEAN Manufacturing Journey:

“Unlike other OEE Software programs specific to print manufacturing, TrakSYS gave us the

flexibility of having full site ownership. It was extremely important that we had the ability to test and control the

data recorded, to develop our OEE initiative.

Cimlogic and TrakSYS was an ideal solution for us, as they developed a customised package that suited our

production needs, whilst seamlessly integrating with our existing MIS system.

The system will be further developed to assist us on our LEAN Manufacturing journey.”

CASE STUDY

How Cimlogic helped APS put the Power into Print

Company Profile• APS is embarking on a LEAN Manufacturing journey and

sought a solution to measure and improve the efficiency of its existing manufacturing equipment.

• As part of its LEAN Manufacturing activity, APS adopted overall equipment efficiency (OEE) as a key performance metric.

• Previously APS collected data such as average machine performance, and it was important that the company expanded this knowledge by measuring and managing OEE through the information generated in real-time.

• A key requirement was to integrate standardised data collection on all existing kit and to improve visibility of performance. Individual reports were available on some machines, but the same reports could not be generated on finishing equipment such as gluers and guillotines. Accurate, real-time reporting was required in order to drive continuous improvement efforts forward, and to have maximum impact on the business.

The Business Requirements

Steve Goodall - Production Director, APS Group

Cimlogic Ltd, 11 Baildon Mills, Baildon, Shipley, West Yorkshire BD17 6JYe: enquiries@cimlogic.co.uk t: 01274 599 955 f: 0870 762 5559

www.cimlogic.co.uk

• Cimlogic conducted a trial using its mobile productivity solution LEANTrak™,  to demonstrate the capability of the complete performance management software, TrakSYS™. The system was set up and recording data in under 4 hours, providing instant meaningful data on a 10 colour printing press.

• Following the trial, Cimlogic deployed a full TrakSYS™ Performance management software solution, initially encompassing two ManRoland 10 colour printing presses. Operators had the ability to factually measure downtime through using the innovative EVENTTrak™ Terminals.

• Operators were presented with real-time information on the shop floor, giving them the tools to make an instant impact on the days production and efficiency.

• A Lean Manufacturing team was formed as part of a Six Sigma programme, which included the development of a new office dedicated to the recording and visual management of performance, creating an instant picture of production.

• KPI reports presenting metrics such as OEE, TEEP and MTBF were instantly accessible to the Lean Manufacturing team, providing the visibility to make good business decisions such as using available machinery time in the best possible way and reducing non value added steps and waste.

• Future built-in capability in the TrakSYS™ system to collaborate information with APS’ MIS system, and leveraging the already in-built capabilities of its MIS System.

“TrakSYS was installed quickly, without disrupting ongoing production and provided

instant real time performance data needed to record and improve our OEE.

We now have the ability to justify future capital expenditure of manufacturing equipment, as we can measure the performance of our machinery

and have the facts be able to identify assets which are under performing”.

Rick Snelson - Director of Print Services, APS Group

The Cimlogic Solution

• APS saw a 22% improvement in OEE in first 4 months.

• APS can accurately review its top loss reasons in real time.

• Quality and performance issues can now be interrogated and reviewed against individual suppliers of raw materials.

• Non chargeable, wasteful activities were reduced to just 8.4%, freeing up additional production time.

• Ultimate buy-in from equipment operators in improving efficiencies was achieved, from top down (the directors’ office to the shop floor).

The Benefits

Outstanding manufacturing solutions