There are very few manufacturing businesses that would not like to increase the productivity of their shop floor. This would not only mean more money coming into their business due to completing more orders within a given time frame but also without any additional outlay for wages. To achieve this, there are many approaches you could take. However, at the root of almost all of them will be getting these five things right.
#1 Introduce Flowlines
Flowlines are a good way of getting your employees up to speed and therefore increasing their productivity. This is where you have a group of your employees working along or around a bench, all carrying out one or more stages of a product build, each from start to finish.
The size of the products you are creating will determine the amount of space that each operative will require to complete their job roles. For this to work well, all tools and equipment will have to be kept within easy reach of the operator. This will also have to be similarly matched in speed to those who supply and who supply them.
#2 Install Conveyor Belts
To make life easier within a manufacturing site, regardless of whether or not you opt for flowlines, you should think about installing conveyor belts. Doing this will mean that your employees can just concentrate on the work being brought to them and pass it on to the next stage.
This is far quicker than navigating around a factory floor while carrying heavy or large items, as well as being far safer for your products as they are less likely to be dropped or placed in the wrong location. Companies such as fluentconveyors.com will not only help you with your search for the perfect conveyor but will also help design and install it for you. They may also be able to supply replacement parts for your conveyor when it gets old, so you will not have to undergo the upheaval of getting a whole new one installed.
#3 Zone Areas
Zoning areas are not just for your warehouse; they can be used on your shop floor as well, especially if you are in the food manufacturing niche. In a more general setting, though, having labeled shelves or racking areas close to your production areas where items that require additional work can be stored is beneficial.
These areas can also be used for orders placed on hold or benched until further notice rather than having them clog up workstations. Zoned areas can also extend to equipment and component storage so that your employees will know where to obtain certain tools that they will require to get their job role completed if they are not supplied with their own kit.
#4 Train Employees
You should never underestimate the importance of training an employee and the knock-on effect it can have on their ability to work faster and more accurately. These points added together will heighten the level of performance within your manufacturing business, especially if they are shown the fast and efficient route of completing their tasks.
No employee wants to take the long way home when it comes to getting a task done, as it not only makes it monotonous but also tedious, so taking some time to train them will be beneficial to all concerned.
#5 Create Incentives
Creating time-dependent incentives is another way to get your workers to speed up their efforts; however, unlike training, you will have to check that the quality level still remains acceptable. Rushed jobs are not usually good jobs. In saying that, many that take pride in their work will be able to increase their speed a little, and these are the ones that should be able to attract your given incentive.
You need not think that the incentive that you are to offer needs be expensive as you will find that some employees just enjoy having the reason to excel, but a voucher, hamper, or some good quality company swag may be just what is required.
