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Automating manual processes has been a huge help over the last few years and we ’ re now looking to expand automation across all our manufacturing sites
foreign supply by increasing grain storage . Some countries are aiming to double current capacity .”
Alongside international expansion , Cimbria is continuously investing across all areas of the business . “ We ’ re constantly looking for ways to improve our production capabilities and we ’ re making the necessary investments to make that happen ,” Patrick explains . “ If we go way back , we used to develop our own machines for manufacturing and , although we still use some of them today , we began to focus on robotization around ten-to-15 years ago .
“ Automating manual processes has been a huge help over the last few years and we ’ re now looking to expand automation across all our manufacturing sites . There ’ s often a perception that if you automate , you can ’ t be as flexible , but we ’ re automating processes and simultaneously increasing flexibility by responding to customer demand and driving down lead times .”
Seeds of success
“ We invested in a production planning system very early on in our history , which has helped us load capacity more efficiently ,” Patrick continues . “ The next step is what we call ‘ Project SEED ,’ the implementation of our new , single ERP system across our sites so all locations will run in parallel to one another . Not only is seed one of the main products our equipment is treating or processing , but it ’ s also the seed of a system we ’ re planning to develop and grow in the future .”
Thomas elaborates : “ We recognized that our IT is critical to our future success and is the foundation for our ERP project as we continue to upgrade our technological surroundings . We ’ re gradually becoming a technologyheavy company by focusing on automation , additional sensors , and IoT connectivity .”
“ Although our key focus is to drive automation across the factories , there ’ s much more to explore within the realm of technology ,” Patrick concludes . “ We recently invested in cobot technology in productive environments , for instance , as well as investigating the wider use of laser welding rather than traditional methods .”
With continued investment in equipment and technological solutions , there is no limit to Cimbria ’ s plan for global expansion . By placing customers at the core of its operations , the business has created a strong , longstanding reputation that it is sure to maintain moving forward . ■
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