In parallel, the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) has been put in place, further increasing competitiveness through the improvement and digitalization of all processes of the company.
The IVACE (Valencian Institute of Business Competitiveness) has awarded Solera a recognition for the improvement in competitiveness within the industrial digitalization field of small and medium sized companies.
In order to implement Lean Manufacturing through out, we have worked and educated our staff in all of our centers, guiding all workers towards continuous improvement, incorporating and using their knowledge and experience.
To adapt to Industry 4.0 (I 4) methodology, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) have been installed on all machines. Monitors and touchscreens control the interface and connection of MES, the quality system, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), the production sequence tool and the general plant management systems. Operators report their activity in real time allowing the full integration and reporting of the actual production process permitting immediate trouble shooting.
The analysis of the collected data has been an essential tool in order to convert Solera’s production centers into intelligent factories, real time tracking and monitoring against the established targets now being possible. These results facilitate fast decision making and corrective actions where necessary permitting a fast and improved outcome.
With the Lean Manufacturing strategy and our digital transformation we have implemented Lean culture throughout the company, improving and standardizing all our processes thus allowing us to advance to the full implementation of the I 4 concept. Additionally, in line with our environmental compromise this has also facilitated the reduction of paper usage by 80%.
The resulting effect has permitted Production and Logistics to be more flexible and environmentally committed on a global basis, being prepared to adapt effectively to the imposition of an increasingly demanding worldwide market.