Prescott Powell Limited - Birmingham
When Prescott Powell of Birmingham moved into their new factory extension, they took the opportunity to review their tool handling operation. The conventional method of storing press tools on racking and moving them by fork lift truck was incompatible with ‘just in time’ procedures which they had adopted. As a major supplier to the UK motor industry, the need for an alternative storage and handling facility was paramount if Prescott Powell were to maintain their competitive edge and comply with EEC directives on handling.
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Limited availability of the company’s fork lift truck and an inefficient racking system, contributed to the need to make changes. Purchasing a second fork lift truck was considered and rejected. This option was initially more expensive and not cost effective in operation compared to alternative proposals.Metalrax were able to offer a solution by installing conveyor beds to store the press tools and to provide four mobile ball tables to transfer individual tools to the press and visa versa.
The layout of the factory allowed four banks of conveyor tracks to be positioned behind the two lines of presses. When a particular tool is required, it is moved from the storage track on to the mobile ball table and then offered up to the appropriate press. Tools taken out of the press are then returned to the conveyor lanes in the same way. In addition to press tool handling, Metalrax were commissioned to supply gravity conveyor to route components in plastic tote bins from press to press for multi-operational work, and then to despatch, thereby reducing manual handling.
Mr. Bob Whittock, Chief Executive of Prescott Powell commented, “we are surprised that such a simple system could be so effective. Our change over time has been dramatically reduced and our overall efficiency has been improved.”
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