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INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURER STREAMLINES MATERIAL FLOW
Cooper B-Line is an Illinois-based manufacturer of electrical,
mechanical and telecommunication supports. Its Reno manufacturing
facility specializes in the racks, runway and related component kits
used in the telecommunications industry.
Until the new system was installed just over a year ago, the Reno
facility had no conveyor materials handling equipment in place.
"Basically, we were building loads on the floor and moving
everything around by forklift truck," recalls Matt Emerson, Cooper
B-Line's facilities engineer.  "After we built a pallet load, we
would have to wait around for a forklift and driver to move it before we
could start working on the next order."
The new conveyor system has resulted in an operation that is not only
more productive, but also more ergonomic. It incorporates both standard
conveyor equipment from Hytrol and a unit specially customized for the
Reno facility by FloStor.
Material flow at the Reno manufacturing center is now streamlined and
efficient and manual handling is kept to a minimum. The installation at
Reno is a good example of how standard conveyors can be effectively
integrated with customized units to deliver multiple benefits.
"We're now seeing throughput levels that are 30 to 35 percent
greater than what we had before the system was installed," says
Facilities Engineer Emerson. He adds that the Reno facility now averages
about 150 racks per line in an eight-hour shift.
The new conveyor system also has enabled Cooper B-Line to more
effectively secure the pallet loads. Operators can control the
positioning of the pallets as they move through the banding machines.
This results in more precise banding and enhanced load security.
Finally, workers can do their jobs more efficiently and with a lot less
strain. The heavy-duty chain transfers move the loads effortlessly onto
the takeaway lines. And the adjustable crating stations allow workers to
crate and secure orders with minimum bending and maximum access to the
load.
For a comprehensive review of this project, contact
FloStor for a full-color extended reprint.
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