The term “downtime” has a few different connotations and can even be viewed as a positive thing for busy workers or parents who need some “downtime” or rest. However, when applied in the packaging industry, downtime is a costly and unwanted occurrence. In the manufacturing world, downtime can be described as time that machinery should be running, but isn’t. Instead, money is spent on employees, electricity, and many other components, only to have the machinery itself not functioning properly. Every minute of downtime that your own company experiences equates to lost revenue, so it is important to use these tips to minimize your downtime and maximize your profits.
Make Sure Employees Appreciate the Cost of Downtime
Your employees are responsible for keeping everything running smoothly, so they need to have a thorough understanding of downtime and its costs to the company. When employees receive clear communication from their managers, they feel included in decisions and are more likely to take actions to increase productivity. This equates to better machine servicing and the production of more goods, thereby minimizing downtime.
Keep Machinery Serviced and Updated
It’s no surprise that the less packaging machinery is serviced, the more it will malfunction. Every jam, break, and issue leads to downtime while the problem is fixed, which in turn cuts into your profits. Regular preventative maintenance can prevent a great deal of these malfunctions by keeping machinery running smoothly. Also take measures to ensure that all machines have the most up-to-date technology and improvements.
Give Employees Incentives
Rather than penalize employees when excessive downtime occurs, put that type of effort into rewarding and incentivizing employees when everything runs smoothly. Not only does this boost morale, but it also gives employees a tangible reason to work harder, follow instructions, and motivate each other. The incentives can range in size and cost, but what matters is that their hard work is being recognized. As a result, your company will enjoy a stronger bottom line.
For help with your own cartoning, tray forming, and casepacking machinery, contact Econocorp Inc. in Randolph, Massachusetts. As a recognized worldwide leader in packaging, Econocorp can help to improve and streamline your own processes to maximize your efficiency.
