STORAGE FOR QUALITY Storage equipment makes workshop work better

Pump manufacturer Alfa Laval Ltd, is reaping the benefits of a new storage infrastructure in its’ Eastbourne factory. The installation, provided by System Store Solutions, has empowered employees by enabling each work area to be more self-sufficient.

The self-contained units created in the factory’s Supply Unit (SU) Assembly Shop has assisted in giving shop floor employees access to some of the tools to facilitate direct involvement in capacity planning, tooling inventory control, stock management, logistics and maintenance.

In just twelve months, the physical layout of the SU was transformed, along with the work routine, which delegates more responsibility downwards. “We want standard components stored in each area so that the Fitters become self-reliant in selecting them for the various build processes, eliminating many kitting issues.” explains SU manufacturing manager, Bill Reed.

Prior to the installation, space was always a problem in the SU. A lack of storage left bench tops cluttered with tools and parts. To create more space, Blue Fami benches, part of the Fami range for which System Store Solutions is the exclusive distributor in the UK, replaced the original wooden ones; with storage incorporated into each unit. “This has made each unit self-sufficient, giving us greater control to manage our own work,” commented SU employee, Phil Russell. The SU is better organised with component parts stored in colour-coded containers, making them more accessible and easier to locate. The additional space created by the new storage has improved the manufacturing flow, since products can now be moved more quickly to the paint shop before being transferred to the wet end build and on to the test area.

“This is a great example of the difference good storage can make to an organisation. The installation has created a better working

environment for employees and a more efficient production process by maximising the existing space,” says System Store Solutions director, David Price.

Alfa Laval Eastbourne has enjoyed a close working relationship for over twenty years with System Store Solutions, which is evident as some of the original FAMI storage cabinets, dating back twenty years, are still fully functional and in use in the Component Unit (CU) Machine Shop. Over the past two and a half years however, new storage units have gradually been installed in the CU, a project that is now 95% complete. The customised installation features cabinet drawers fitted with foam cutouts to fit the shape of individual tools. This guarantees that tools are stored correctly as they cannot be physically placed anywhere else, creating “a place for everything and everything in its place”, says Reed.

“It wasn’t really a difficult choice to make,”

Scott Ryder, HMD Kontro

News for the Manufacturing, Engineering and Aerospace Sectors from SYSTEM STORE SOLUTIONS LTD

For a number one storage solution, BEL Valves make the number one choice

Visit System Store Solutions on-line at www.system-store.com

Contact us for a free storage consultationTo arrange for one of our experts to visit your site, contact us at:

System Store Solutions LtdHam Lane, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent ME17 2LHTelephone: 01622 859522 Fax: 01622 858746E-mail: sales@systemstoresolutions.comwebsite: www.system-store.com

News for the Manufacturing, Engineering and Aerospace Sectors from SYSTEM STORE SOLUTIONS LTD

When Neil Foster, Resource and Planning Supervisor of BEL Valves was looking for the best solution provider to completely overhaul his storage system, he looked no further than System Store Solutions Ltd. Neil required both a high quality storage product range and matching installation expertise to create a superior storage facility to accommodate BEL Valves’ huge arsenal of machine tools.

BEL Valves, a division of British Engines Ltd is a major international manufacturer specialising in valves and services for the Oil & Gas and Petrochemical Industries designing and producing the complete integrated package of valve, actuator and controls for both topside and subsea applications. Valves are produced from a range of materials, from carbon steel through nickel alloys including High Strength Super Austenitic material.

The company is approved by most major oil companies, API, Lloyds, DNV and Stoomwezen and is also approved by Bureau Veritas to supply valves to the European pressure equipment directive (PED).

BEL Valves had made a substantial investment in the most state-of-the-art machine tools over the past four years to further enhance its product and service offer. Having made this large investment in new equipment, it felt only right to bring the storage system right up-to-date to accommodate the new equipment, creating an even better production facility.

Dean O’Neill, key accounts manager for System Store Solutions, project managed the new installation from design to completion ensuring that the end result met the exacting standards that System Store provide.

System Store Solutions’ knowledge, skill and adaptability allow its team to create bespoke systems for all logistics requirements.

The companys’ awareness of its customers needs means it provides an effective solution every time.

“The process went exceptionally well,” says Neil Foster. “We’ve built up a good working relationship with System Store Solutions due to the quality of their product and the ability of their staff. The facility looks impressive and we are far more organised. The storage units have been linked to a tool management system. To compare the old system to the new is like comparing night to day. We are currently investing in other parts of the plant with System Store Solutions and look forward to working with them again in the future”.

“Our expertise allows us to create innovative storage solutions whilst working to a cost effective brief,” says Dean O’Neill. “Our product range is manufactured in Italy, by market leader Fami, and is amongst the widest in the storage sector. Fami’s considerable investment in cutting edge production systems has made these products what they are today”.

“We’ve built up a good working relationship with System Store Solutions due to the quality of their product and the ability of their staff.

To compare the old system to the new is like comparing night to day.”

Neil Foster, BEL Valves

As the pioneers of magnetic drive seal-less pumps, HMD Kontro supplies standard and customer-engineered products, to demanding customers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, fine chemical, pharmaceutical and defence sectors.

Quality control is among the highest priorities for this respected and accredited supplier, and its commitment to quality recently led to the complete re-organisation of its inspection and quality management area. This required the construction of four new offices within HMD Kontro’s Eastbourne factory: a dye pen room, a leading hands office, an inspection room, and a quality clinic office.

Each of the new offices required extensive storage facilities for test equipment, tools, samples and documentation. To design and supply the equipment needed for these storage facilities, the team at HMD Kontro chose System Store Solutions.

“It wasn’t really a difficult choice to make,” said Scott Ryder, Quality Manager at HMD Kontro. “System Store Solutions has provided racking and storage systems throughout our facility for many years, and we’ve always been very happy with the quality and durability of the company’s products. In addition, we get regular visits from our local System Store Solutions engineer, who is always helpful in devising cost-effective solutions to meet our requirements.”

HMD Kontro was gratified by the service provided by System Store Solutions at every stage of the quality area re-organisation project. Very little time was needed for the HMD Kontro team to explain its requirements, and System Store Solutions produced detailed high quality drawings that gave a very clear overview of the project before construction started.

“As with most projects, we had a few problems that only came to light during the construction phase,” said Scott Ryder. “For example, the floor was not level so packing had to be made to support the installation at one end. What really impressed us, however, was how quickly and efficiently System Store Solutions dealt with these problems, with a minimum of inconvenience to us.”

Scott also commented favourably on the benefits delivered by the project. “As Quality Manager, one of my objectives was to clear a large workspace among the machinery in the workshop, and to have an inspection and quality control installation located centrally to our production facility.”

“It was very rewarding for me to sell the idea of this project to my peers within our

company,” he continued, “and, with the aid of System Store Solutions, see it come to fruition in such a smooth and straightforward way.”

The success of this most recent project has further enhanced the reputation of System Store Solutions within HMD Kontro, and the company is looking forward to working again with System Store Solutions to meet its future storage requirements.

System Store Solutions Ltd is highly visible

System Store Solutions Ltd has introduced a new innovative product line to its extensive family of storage equipment for industry. The new secure storage solution on offer is a range of innovative cabinets, fitted with high-visibility polycarbonate doors for storing tools, components and equipment.

This new high-visibility system will ease the time consuming process of tool tracking as now cabinets can be visually inspected with ease. These new, extremely durable cabinets are in direct response to customer feedback.

“The need to safeguard valuable items, whether they are tools, valuable components or costly shop-floor consumables, is growing all the time,” said System Store Solutions director, David Price. “We are constantly tuned in to our customers needs and pride ourselves on delivering the right solution for every requirement.”

As one of the most innovative storage consultants and suppliers in the UK, System Store Solutions makes any application requirement possible. Its product range is manufactured in Italy, by market leader FAMI, and is amongst the widest in the storage sector.

Customers can now benefit from the traditional strong, robust and highly versatile storage systems on offer from System Store Solutions with the added value of rapid visual accountability of all equipment; offering a new level of functionality plus enhanced security. Overall, the end result is increased productivity for the customer due to this time-saving security feature.

This product is available in a number of formats to suit any application. For more information on our new range of Hi-visibility cabinets call us now for a free consultation from one of our expert advisors.

Red Bull Technology Ltd recently extended its factory in Milton Keynes and acquired a neighbouring building to house new machining centres. System Store Solutions Ltd were commissioned to design, supply and fit the new facility with practical storage systems to aid engineers in the machine shop in what Red Bull Technology imaginatively refers to as Building Three.

As standard, System Store Solution met with Red Bull Technology to discuss the layout of the machine shop. After careful planning, suggestions were put forward that offered the best storage design to maximise the use of space, while allowing engineers easy access to tools, parts and other equipment.

It was decided that the main machine shop would house a collection of workbenches, cabinets with drawers under, stand alone cabinets for tooling, roller shutter cabinets and machine tool cabinets with sliding doors. All products were from the Fami range of industrial storage. System Store Solutions are the exclusive UK distributor of Fami, whose products are designed for some of the most demanding environments.

The machine shop housed a separate section for the tool store and setting area. System Store Solutions furnished this with ten five-drawer cabinets with specialised HSK-A63 tool holders. The holders were designed in the same shape as the tools, to enable the safe storage of this vital equipment. Two nine-drawer cabinets and workbenches were also installed.

As well as static storage, mobile drawer cabinets and tool

transportation trolleys were also supplied. The trolleys also included the specialised HSK-A63 tool holders for the secure transportation of its tooling from one side of the machine shop to the other.

“System Store Solutions offered a very professional service and catered to our every need. I was particularly impressed with the way they involved themselves at the start of the project, to offer advice and solutions on the layout of the storage. We are very satisfied with the standard of products, and our engineers are even happier that their equipment is safe and easy to find!” comments Steve Nevey, Business Development Manager at Red Bull Technology, on the overall success of the installation.

System Store Solutions are involved in a total of four projects at Red Bull Technology, including equipping the race engineering bays for the Red Bull Racing F1 Team and custom designed storage in the road transporters. Red Bull Technology wanted to standardise all of its storage and as such appointed System Store Solutions to manage all of their storage requirements. The conformity of size, colour and functionality enables engineers to easily locate tools and equipment, while offering a secure and aesthetically pleasing solution.

Red Bull’s machine shop has winning storage

“I was particularly impressed with the way they involved themselves at the start of the project, to offer advice and solutions on the layout of the storage.”

Steve Nevey ,Red Bull Technology Ltd

SUPERIOR STORAGE BOOSTS EFFICIENCY FOR BULWELL

A leading supplier of machined parts, kits, complex assemblies and integrated point of use delivery systems for the aerospace sector and associated industries, it is no wonder that Bulwell has a number of blue-chip customers.

Meeting the requirements of these demanding customers cost effectively means that it is essential for the company to maximise the efficiency of its manufacturing cells. This means that the numerous complex and expensive tools it uses need not only to be easily accessible, but also to be well protected when they are not in use.

“Storage cabinets and shelving systems from System Store Solutions provided an ideal way for us to achieve these objectives,” said Phill Hirst, Business Unit Manager at Bulwell. “They enable us to store tools and gauges in an organised way, so that the items we need can be located almost instantly, and they also make it easy to see if any of the items is missing.”

“In addition,” he continued, “the robust construction of the storage systems means that the risk of damage to the items when they are not in use is virtually eliminated. Finally, products from System Store Solutions are almost unaffected by normal wear and tear – we bought our first items from the company almost four years ago, and they look as good today as when they were first delivered.”

Because the new storage solutions make the organisation of tools and gauges so much easier, they are helping Bulwell to make substantial savings in set up time and to achieve valuable increases in efficiency and productivity.

“System Store Solutions was an excellent company to work with,” said Phill Hirst, “not only did they provide us with sound advice, they also responded very quickly to changes in our requirements. I have no hesitation in recommending the company and its products.”

System Store Solutions, the supplier of high quality storage and display systems for industrial and commercial applications, has entered into an agreement with CasC (Controlled Access Storage Cabinets) in a move that will provide customers of both companies with access to an extensive range of secure, intelligent locking, storage solutions for high value equipment and products.

Controlling access to high risk, high value or sensitive items, and protecting them from wastage, unauthorised use, theft, or even sabotage has always been a workplace problem - until now.

Controlled Access Storage Cabinets Ltd (CasC) has solved this problem using an electronic system called “Intelligent Locking”. Pre-determined programming and control systems will deny access to unauthorised personnel, with the system even restricting access to individual drawers in the cabinet on a user-by-user basis.

System Store Solutions Ltd has an extensive range of secure and intelligent storage solutions for cabinets and drawers available. The company has an impressive list of clients, including high profile major blue-chip companies in the Aerospace, engineering, motorsport and manufacturing sectors.

System Store Solutions and CasC. A new force for trustworthy intelligent locking

“The need to safeguard valuable items, whether they are cutting tools, hand tools or simply costly shop-floor consumables, is growing all the time,” said System Store Solutions director, David Price. “Our agreement with CasC is an exciting development that means that we can now supply a full range of versatile, trustworthy and intelligent solutions to meet this need efficiently and cost effectively.” System Store Solutions is also the exclusive UK distributor of the Italian Fami range of storage, workshop and transportation systems.

Controlled access storage is available with a variety of personnel identification options, including key fob touch buttons, swipe and smart cards, proximity cards, legic cards, and biometric sensors inclusive of the potential to offer retinal-scan and fingerprint capabilities.

CasC’s remote access software even provides access via the Internet, whereby a computer in head office can interrogate the system and unlock a cabinet on the other side of the world.

The CasC system is so versatile that it can be retrofitted to most types of existing storage equipment with no loss of effective performance.

When Bulwell Precision Engineers decided to streamline its manufacturing operations by re-organising its production facilities on the basis of customer-dedicated cells, the company found that storage equipment from System Store Solutions was the ideal complement for its high-technology machining operations.

“System Store Solutions was an excellent company to work with,” not only did they provide us with sound advice, they also responded very quickly to changes in our requirements.”

Phil Hirst, Bullwell Precision Enigineers