UK Window Systems has become the latest fabricator to achieve a paperless factory environment thanks to its investment in Business Micros’ EvoNet software and bar code scanning technology.

The Stoke on Trent based fabricator, which has made its name in recent years as one of the leading manufacturers of the REHAU Dimension conservatory roof system, had purchased the Evolution production and processing software several years ago and saw the EvoNet management system as the next logical step.

Richard Barlow, MD of UK Window Systems, said: “We had been delighted with the performance of Evolution and the improvements in production efficiency which it delivered. When we invested in a new Haffner SBA machining centre last year, Business Micros suggested that we could install the EvoNet system onto the Evolution platform to improve our efficiency still further and help to maximise the capabilities of the new machine.

“They worked in partnership with us and Haffner to install and commission the software and it is already generating real benefits.”

UK Window Systems is now using Evolution and EvoNet with the bar code scanning module to trace every piece of profile within its 12,000 sq ft factory. Whereas previously a paper trail existed from order processing through production to despatch, now the company has eliminated the paper and has simple, instant access to the status of any order on screen at the touch of a button.

Business Micros has set up bar code scanning stations at key locations around the factory so that every piece of profile can be scanned at each stage of the production process. Not only does this mean there is less administration involved but it also means that the performance of the new machine and the factory itself can be monitored quickly and easily.

Richard Barlow estimates that the EvoNet investment will pay for itself in just one year by saving the cost of employing an additional member of staff. He adds: “We were so busy in our order processing and admin department before we switched to EvoNet that we had reached a point where we needed to increase staffing levels. Not only have we been able to avoid that cost, but we have the additional benefit of being able to use EvoNet to access regular management information which would previously have taken many hours to prepare and analyse.”

UK Window Systems fabricates around 300 frames per week in the REHAU S706 system and between 15 and 20 REHAU Dimension conservatory roofs. It supplies trade customers across the UK.

Posted on 24th June 07