Technical Services Case Study
Falon Nameplates employs 20 people in Bedlington, Northumberland, and manufactures high quality bronze and aluminium name plates. The company generates an annual turnover of £500,000.
Manufacturing Concerns
The company has recently acquired a high efficiency induction furnace to speed up the melting process. However, the viscosity and pouring problems were causing a 35% defect rate. Following a referral from NEPA and the Carbon Trust, NAMTEC was asked to provide assistance via MAS North East.
MAS Diagnostic
A NAMTEC specialist believed that the process settings and subsequent controls were the key problem areas. Following sample analysis and evaluation, NAMTEC made some specific recommendations for temperature settings, process timings and procedures.
Results
Using the recommendations from NAMTEC, Falon Nameplates was able to reduce the reject rate from 35% to approximately 5%, saving the company £10,000 per month in lost revenue.
“Without the assistance of MAS North East and NAMTEC we would have spent a lot of time and money trying to resolve our problems. We were too close to the problems and needed external experts to look at our processes and put us back on track. This was achieved very quickly and without any pain.” - Kenneth Moore - Managing Director
