Implementing Fast ‘What-If’ Predictive Simulations at Paint Producers’ Plants

1

Locations

51

Production Lines

460

Employees

€ 80 M

Revenue

This case study outlines how this paint producer overcame significant scheduling challenges by implementing QLECTOR LEAP, resulting in a marked increase in efficiency and reduction in downtimes.
Challenges
The producer turned to QLECTOR for a comprehensive solution that included:
Ineffective Rinsing and Cleaning Schedules

Existing schedules were not optimized, leading to frequent collapses.

Manual Scheduling Processes

Coordinating schedules between planners and shift leaders manually was time-consuming and error-prone.

Complex Product Levels

Managing up to three levels of semi-finished goods and buffer tanks made scheduling highly intricate.

Knowledge Bottlenecks

A concentration of process knowledge within a few planners posed a high risk to operational continuity.

Seasonal Fluctuations

Managing human resources and stock levels during seasonal peaks added to the complexity.

The producer turned to QLECTOR for a comprehensive solution that included:
Predictive Simulations

Implementing fast ‘what-if’ simulations to quickly adapt to unpredicted events.

Automated Rescheduling

Enabling automatic rescheduling of processes and planned orders to minimize disruption.

Sequencing Optimization

Reducing cleaning and rinsing times through better sequencing of production tasks.

Long-Term Planning

Developing long-term scenarios for human resources, stock, and capacities to prepare for future demands.

The producer turned to QLECTOR for a comprehensive solution that included:
Significant Time Savings

A reduction of planning time by 50%.

Reduced Downtimes

A 20% decrease in organizational downtimes.

Extended Scheduling Horizon

Moving from daily to weekly scheduling, providing a broader operational perspective.

Conclusion

The producer’s strategic use of QLECTOR LEAP demonstrates a significant leap forward in managing the complexities of chemical production. With substantial time savings for planners and reduced downtimes, the company has set a new standard for efficiency in the chemical industry.

Keep following our use cases and blog posts to explore more about how innovative scheduling solutions are making waves in various sectors and driving companies toward a more efficient future.

Matjaž Roblek, Supply Chain Director at DOMEL, attested to the advantages brought by QLECTOR LEAP, which automated the planners’ work and managed a larger number of machines more effectively, leading to a 10% improvement in inventory lead times.

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