P&G aims to up processing efficiency
engineering analysis and optimization systems to Zarpac, a company
specializing in performance-enhancing software for processing and
packaging. The move is part of aims by the consumer giant to
improve manufacturing equipment performance, writes Simon Pitman.
The agreement allows P&G's optimization approaches, developed in conjunction with Los Alamos National Labs, to be integrated with Zarpac data collection & analysis software products.
The P&G tool set integrates a revolutionary analysis approach that changes the way equipment systems are designed, started up, and optimized on an ongoing basis. Zarpac claims that embedding these routines in a user-friendly data collection & analysis software package can provide real-time guidance on optimal equipment speeds, improvement opportunities, and performance trend analysis.
P&G has been investing heavily in these kind of technologies during the course of the last ten years - a move that has helped to rope-in manufacturing costs and increase efficiency. The bottom line is that P&G has significantly boosted its profits during the course of the last five years.
Such initiatives have been spearheaded by P&G's External Business Development organization, which was established to enable the company to maximize the value of its technologies, know-how and trademarks by seeking mutually beneficial deals with external partners. The unit also helps find external technologies, products, and capabilities that can be used to drive growth on P&G's core businesses.
"As manufacturers improve their supply networks to create new sources of value for consumers and retailers, we must first get the fundamentals right, including getting the best performance from our equipment," said Keith Harrison, P&G's global product supply officer.
According to Harrision, the Zarpac software has provided a powerful interface that can drive improvements on the manufacturing floor.
Zarpac says it is 'easy to use' interfaces allow plant floor staff and management, easy access to critical performance data specific to their individual equipment, lines/area and plant overall.
Currently the company supplies its software, systems engineering and plant visualization solutions to a variety of industries. Besides the personal care sector, it also serves the food and beverage as well as the pharmaceuticals and chemicals industries.
