Plex Systems Case Studies Transforming Manufacturing Operations: A Case Study of Kamco Industries

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	Transforming Manufacturing Operations: A Case Study of Kamco Industries Plex Systems

Transforming Manufacturing Operations: A Case Study of Kamco Industries

Plex Systems

Technology Category	Functional Applications - Inventory Management Systems Networks & Connectivity - RFID
Applicable Industries	Equipment & Machinery Transportation
Applicable Functions	Logistics & Transportation Warehouse & Inventory Management
Use Cases	Augmented Reality Picking, Sorting & Positioning
Services	System Integration Training
Challenge	Kamco Industries, a subsidiary of Kumi Kasei, is a full-service provider of product design and manufacturer of injection, sheet molded, and Formed Fiber Felt products. The company faced several challenges in its operations. Firstly, its spreadsheet-based business processes were not meeting the requirements of major clients such as American Honda. Analyzing performance involved stacks of paperwork, which was time-consuming and inefficient. The IT department was spending too much time supporting business processes rather than providing a strong technology foundation. The year-end closing process required countless hours of overtime and took weeks to complete. Kamco's goal was to respond as quickly as possible to customer needs and tailor its business processes to the expectations of its largest clients. However, the company's existing systems and processes were not up to the task. Read More
About Customer	Kamco Industries, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Kumi Kasei and a full-service provider of product design and manufacturer of injection, sheet molded, and Formed Fiber Felt products. The company has expanded into various locations including Bradford, Ontario in 1997; Clanton, Alabama in 2000; and Guadalajara, Mexico in 2010. The Kumi North America group has achieved a combined total annual sales of more than $140 million. Kamco is one of the largest injection molding suppliers for American Honda and is committed to tailoring its business processes to the expectations of its largest clients. Read More
Customer Name	Kamco Industries Read More
Solution	Kamco began to research and evaluate cloud manufacturing solutions. The company chose the Plex Manufacturing Cloud for its manufacturing-focused capabilities and the willingness of the Plex team to work with Kamco to get its business processes up and running. With the cycle counting tools and real-time inventory visibility in Plex, Kamco dramatically increased its inventory control. The company transitioned from spreadsheets to Plex, streamlining the process of scheduling each shift’s work tasks from as much as two hours to just minutes. Kamco also streamlined its year-end inventory process, which once took weeks to complete and endless hours of overtime for Kamco employees. The company leveraged custom reports to focus on business performance and automated many key functions, which enabled the company to reduce its IT headcount from 12 employees to four. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Functional Applications - Inventory Management Systems

Networks & Connectivity - RFID

Applicable Industries

Equipment & Machinery

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Logistics & Transportation

Warehouse & Inventory Management

Use Cases

Augmented Reality

Picking, Sorting & Positioning

Services

System Integration

Training

Challenge

Kamco Industries, a subsidiary of Kumi Kasei, is a full-service provider of product design and manufacturer of injection, sheet molded, and Formed Fiber Felt products. The company faced several challenges in its operations. Firstly, its spreadsheet-based business processes were not meeting the requirements of major clients such as American Honda. Analyzing performance involved stacks of paperwork, which was time-consuming and inefficient. The IT department was spending too much time supporting business processes rather than providing a strong technology foundation. The year-end closing process required countless hours of overtime and took weeks to complete. Kamco's goal was to respond as quickly as possible to customer needs and tailor its business processes to the expectations of its largest clients. However, the company's existing systems and processes were not up to the task.

About Customer

Kamco Industries, established in 1987, is a subsidiary of Kumi Kasei and a full-service provider of product design and manufacturer of injection, sheet molded, and Formed Fiber Felt products. The company has expanded into various locations including Bradford, Ontario in 1997; Clanton, Alabama in 2000; and Guadalajara, Mexico in 2010. The Kumi North America group has achieved a combined total annual sales of more than $140 million. Kamco is one of the largest injection molding suppliers for American Honda and is committed to tailoring its business processes to the expectations of its largest clients.

Customer Name

Kamco Industries

Solution

Kamco began to research and evaluate cloud manufacturing solutions. The company chose the Plex Manufacturing Cloud for its manufacturing-focused capabilities and the willingness of the Plex team to work with Kamco to get its business processes up and running. With the cycle counting tools and real-time inventory visibility in Plex, Kamco dramatically increased its inventory control. The company transitioned from spreadsheets to Plex, streamlining the process of scheduling each shift’s work tasks from as much as two hours to just minutes. Kamco also streamlined its year-end inventory process, which once took weeks to complete and endless hours of overtime for Kamco employees. The company leveraged custom reports to focus on business performance and automated many key functions, which enabled the company to reduce its IT headcount from 12 employees to four.

Impact #1	The implementation of Plex Manufacturing Cloud brought about significant operational improvements for Kamco. The company gained better control over its inventory, reducing instances of idle presses due to lack of inventory. The transition from spreadsheets to Plex also streamlined shift scheduling and year-end inventory processes, saving time and reducing the need for overtime. The automation of many key functions allowed the company to reduce its IT headcount, freeing up employees to return to the business divisions where they were best suited. Kamco also improved its line side labeling process, resulting in faster delivery times and greater reliability. The company is now able to meet the certification requirements of different countries more efficiently and effectively. Kamco has also embraced innovation, using tablets, RFID container tracking, robotic assemblies, and digital tools on the shop floor, with Plex serving as the hub that ties together all the information from these systems.

Impact #1

The implementation of Plex Manufacturing Cloud brought about significant operational improvements for Kamco. The company gained better control over its inventory, reducing instances of idle presses due to lack of inventory. The transition from spreadsheets to Plex also streamlined shift scheduling and year-end inventory processes, saving time and reducing the need for overtime. The automation of many key functions allowed the company to reduce its IT headcount, freeing up employees to return to the business divisions where they were best suited. Kamco also improved its line side labeling process, resulting in faster delivery times and greater reliability. The company is now able to meet the certification requirements of different countries more efficiently and effectively. Kamco has also embraced innovation, using tablets, RFID container tracking, robotic assemblies, and digital tools on the shop floor, with Plex serving as the hub that ties together all the information from these systems.

Benefit #1	Streamlined monthly close to two days and year-end close to two weeks
Benefit #2	Streamlined shift scheduling from two hours to just minutes
Benefit #3	Minimized assembly line stoppages caused by lack of inventory

Benefit #1

Streamlined monthly close to two days and year-end close to two weeks

Benefit #2

Streamlined shift scheduling from two hours to just minutes

Benefit #3

Minimized assembly line stoppages caused by lack of inventory

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Overview

Transforming Manufacturing Operations: A Case Study of Kamco Industries

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit