Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo full circle

Citation

(2000), "Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo full circle", Assembly Automation, Vol. 20 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2000.03320dab.008

Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo full circle

Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo full circle

Keywords: Machine tools, Pneumatics

Global woodworking machine tool manufacturer, Wadkin, has selected Festo as the sole supplier of its pneumatic equipment following a competitive tender (see Plate 2). The decision was made as a result of the automation specialist's superior technical understanding, detailed implementation methods and plans, and highly cost-sensitive approach.

The two companies have signed a five-year agreement for Festo to supply 3,000-4,000 components per year. Rather than supplying individual components, by recommending "kits of parts" on a just-in-time basis, Festo is able to reduce administration and inventory holding, while improving manufacturing efficiency and delivering substantial cost savings. The new agreement reduces Wadkin's pneumatic suppliers from 14 down to just one.

Plate 2Cutting woodworking costs takes Festo full circle

The driving force behind the Leicester-based company's initiative was to reduce material costs by 40 per cent while maintaining an increasingly high-tech and efficient approach to production. The stringent selection process compared all of the major pneumatic suppliers in all areas of business performance. It required each supplier to quote on a kit of parts comprising components equivalent to those used on a moulding machine. The seven most cost-effective suppliers were then requested to present company credentials, from which five were asked to recommend the most economical and technically suitable pneumatic solutions for two machines: a moulder and a router. Three companies made a short-list before the final selection of Festo.

Dave Bowyer, business development consultant at Festo, worked closely with Wadkin's engineers. "We looked in detail at the special applications required for Wadkin's machines, and for the highest cost areas, designed and developed a completely new product using less components and highly competitive methods of manufacture. These involve cold press aluminium tooling for making component bodies and plastic moulding for piston and piston rod assemblies. By investing in tooling capabilities, we are able to offer Wadkin a highly competitive price and deliver the returns the business requires."

He adds: "We are now carrying out on-site developments to ensure that a completely smooth transition to the new working methods takes place. Working with Wadkin is like completing the circle for Festo, as the company's origins lie in the woodworking industry more than 70 years ago."

For further details contact: Iain Burgess, Festo Ltd, Automation House, Harvest Crescent, Ancells Business Park, Fleet, Hampshire GU13 8XP. Tel: +44 (0) 1252 775000; Fax: +44 (0) 1252 775001; E-mail: Iain-burgess@Festo.com