The French manufacturer of wooden trays for fresh produce enlisted Cetim’s help to improve its organisation and maintenance procedures. As a result, the company has enhanced its production while boosting its responsiveness and quality.
With the increase in production volumes of wooden trays, the sophisticated mechanisms of CF Embal's woodworking machines were under greater strain. The family business needed to improve its maintenance organisation to prevent untimely machine stoppages.
To grow, a company often needs to increase its production rates and achieve higher productivity. With this challenge in mind, CF Embal turned to Cetim’s experts to improve its maintenance processes. As its production volume of wooden trays for fresh produce increased, its machines were under greater strain which meant that they required increased maintenance. More than a dozen machines with sophisticated mechanisms are involved in the production process, which includes debarking poplar trunks, cutting thin sheets of wood and manufacturing trays. Cetim therefore helps the family-run business to set up maintenance programmes tailored to each type of machine and to production requirements.
A tried and tested analytical method
Cetim’s experts applied a tried and tested analytical method, drawing on the experience of CF Embal’s teams and their knowledge of their processes and equipment. Based on this interactive approach, a maintenance framework was established and a suitable maintenance schedule defined for each machine and subassembly. And the results have been impressive. “Previously, maintenance work was more stressful because we were not so well organised. Now that we have a maintenance shop and established procedures, each item is in exactly the right place and we no longer do any rush work”, explained Anthony Bourdet, maintenance and technical manager. Cetim’s assistance was vital in bringing an outside perspective and methodology to maintenance. In this way, the company was able to improve the organisation of its processes and the quality of its trays. “We have set up tools that streamline the flow of information while helping us to produce better with much less waste,” added Arnaud Delebecque, head of the company.
Close collaboration with CF Embal's maintenance and production teams, using an interactive analytical method to define the required maintenance framework and establish maintenance procedures tailored to each machine and its sub-assemblies.
CF Embal benefits from the knowledge and experience of a specialist in a wide range of production processes involving a variety of machines, as well as its ability to develop an organisation and maintenance procedures appropriate to manufacturing requirements.
The technical teams have improved their responsiveness. By applying established procedures and holding regular consultation meetings, they are able to intervene on the machines at the right time. The methodology deployed has enabled CF Embal to improve its processes, organisation and the quality of its finished products.
