Manufacturing Today Issue - 215 August 2023 | Page 75

______________________________________________________________________________________________ BBS Automation
A high speed Kahle System designed for the assembly of a medical device
company to look at the number of hours quoted against those worked ; likewise , estimated material costs compared with actual . That type of standard practice informs where a project is at any one time in terms of budget . At BBS , however , we add another scheduling layer called a burn rate . The hours used and material spend are layered with a detailed production plan that is created at the beginning of a project to provide a comprehensive visual tool that shows you how you ’ re ‘ burning .’ It quickly identifies if there is an issue early on in a project . The beauty of that is the sooner you identify an issue , the quicker you can reach a resolution . As such , our burn rate tool has allowed us to make significant advances in project delivery and profitability ,” he enthuses .
Sustainability is also a critical factor in BBS ’ operations , as Tom explains : “ Simple things , like lights in all the offices are set on sensors . Equally though , from a manufacturing perspective , we look to design with sustainability in mind and our customers are increasingly supportive of this effort . This often necessitates flexible automation systems . Today , we are looking at equipment that can be repurposed , and that supports sustainability . Additionally , BBS Automation explicitly supports all goals and demands of the UN Agenda 2030 , focusing as an industrial company on the global areas as an international economic player .
“ I think people in manufacturing understand the value of automation , in that it enhances competitiveness on a global scale . By remaining competitive , organizations can preserve jobs and employ locally . While there may be some fear and misunderstanding surrounding automation , the idea that robots will eradicate jobs simply isn ’ t the case . We ’ re bringing people into the business and providing the tools and technology that not only make the work more interesting but also facilitate the development of enhanced skill sets . As well as improving individuals ’ personal
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