Josephine Coombe, from Nulogy, underlines the ways that smart factories are delivering big for FMCG
In the rapidly evolving world of FMCG, external manufacturers and contract packers carry the important task of bringing their customers’ packaged products to market with speed and excellence. Effectively managing this responsibility requires an impeccable operation that balances production efficiency, adaptability, and data-driven decision-making.
Many contract packing providers, however, continue to manage their operations through legacy systems or spreadsheet-based workflows – which fail to provide the necessary level of data needed for a truly effective operation. And, for those that rely on production machinery, the inability to track machine downtime can be costly. After all, how can you optimise your efficiency if you aren’t aware that efficiency issues exist?
Without the ability to address challenges such as machine downtime, lack of production visibility, and low overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), an external manufacturing business faces an uphill battle to remain competitive.
So, what is the solution?
Traditionally, many contract packers rely on line leads to report downtime events. This approach often results in incomplete and inaccurate reporting, with analyses conducted retroactively rather than in real time. Such delays prevent businesses from addressing issues promptly and optimising line efficiency.
Digital solutions, such as Nulogy’s Smart Factory, revolutionise this process by enabling real-time downtime tracking. This proactive approach ensures production lines perform optimally and provides accurate data to identify and eliminate common causes of reduced throughput.
Designed for ease of use, business scalability, and rapid deployment, Nulogy Smart Factory connects to the production floor via the use of IoT sensor technology to provide real-time monitoring of line machinery such as weighing and bagging machines.
Nulogy Smart Factory can also be integrated with Nulogy’s industry-leading contract packing software solution to unlock a new level of data visibility that allows operators and planners alike to track daily performance and understand the causes of poor line performance as they occur.
Move at the speed of today’s market
By providing real-time data insights, the Smart Factory empowers planners, machine operators, and business owners to respond to challenges immediately. For instance, unplanned machine downtime can be swiftly addressed, minimising disruptions and maintaining production schedules. This reduces the need for reactive problem-solving and improves overall operational stability.
Harness the power of data
Data drives every decision in the world of FMCG, and one’s decision-making is only as good as the data supporting it. The Smart Factory Solution excels in feeding accurate, high-fidelity data that eliminates guesswork in one’s own operation and bolsters trust with brand customers. This level of data granularity supports manufacturers and contract packers with optimising their capacity and margins, as well as streamlining their labour allocation, and overall productivity across the board.
Simplified implementation
Adopting new technology often raises concerns about complex implementation processes. Machine monitoring systems such as Nulogy’s Smart Factory address these concerns with a straightforward setup that can be completed in days. Its user-friendly interface is designed for manufacturing teams, requiring minimal IT expertise. With 80% of its features ready to deploy out of the box, the solution ensures rapid time-to-value, making it accessible for businesses of all sizes. This simplicity and scalability make the Smart Factory Solution an ideal choice for businesses looking to embrace digital transformation.
Become a smart Factory today
As the FMCG sector shows no signs of slowing, improved systems for digitalising and optimising the production line will be critical in ensuring that external manufacturers and contract packers stay ahead of the game. By minimising machine downtime, enhancing production tracking, and boosting the OEE of co-packers, contract manufacturers, value-added 3PLs, packaging suppliers, and manufacturers, these technologies are redefining what is possible for FMCG businesses.
Josephine Coombe is the Chief Commercial Officer for Nulogy
