America on automation
7 January 2010
This year’s Packaging Automation Forum in America (4 May 2010) will cover optimising the supply chain at the stages where IT can add value in the manufacturing process. Presenter Jeff Russell coaches on TPM (Total Productive Manufacturing) in controls and automation at Pepsico Americas Beverages, producer of the Tropicana and Gatorade brands.
“A key area of emphasis for us lately is getting processing and packaging better integrated by better integrating IT and manufacturing,” says Mr Russell. “The idea is to have IT put in software, servers, and systems that integrate the customer order entry with the production scheduling system.”
The goal is to have data from the plant floor shape production scheduling more effectively than is usually the case. In this way it will be possible to get a lot closer to a just-in-time manufacturing model, says Mr Russell. As a result, warehousing requirements are greatly reduced, making the room to put in a new line to add capacity, if necessary, rather than build a new plant.