Window and Door May-June 2012 : Page 36

Quanex Technical Services Group Helps Customers Increase Effi ciency Up To 50 Percent With more than 200 years of collective experience in the insulating glass (IG) and fenestration industry, the Quanex Technical Services group comprehensively assesses window manufacturers’ operations, including design, development, installation, training and maintenance. These evaluations help customers become more productive, improving the company’s overall competitive position. Quanex’s productivity experts educate customers about lean IG manufacturing processes and offer quality assurance audits, durability testing, application training, troubleshooting on the production line and investigative research for continuous improvement initiatives. Also, the team puts together recommendations to scale production up or down depending on seasonal and market demands. “We’ve helped customers achieve greater production effi ciencies for up to a 50 percent improvement, including scrap reductions that directly impact an IG manufacturer’s bottom line,” said Kevin Zuege, Technical Services Director with Quanex. “Our experience and expertise with the window manufacturing process helps our customers be more competitive in the marketplace.” To begin the assessment, the team performs a productivity audit to understand the current status and establish baseline metrics. This audit mainly focuses on the direct labor, including the measurement of IG Units per Man-Hour (UPMH) or the number of units produced in a given time period per the number of production line employees. This baseline number is compared to the Average Weighted Cycle Time, which is the average cycle time based upon the percentage of product mix (double-or single-hung sliders, casements, patios, and picture and specialty shape window units). The numbers are then compared to the best practice fi gures, which assume that a double-hung door is typically a 30-second cycle and a patio door is a 45-second cycle. In addition, the productivity experts observe to see if people are ready, tools are available, equipment is properly functioning, and unit inputs are in order and ready for use. The Quanex team takes all of this into account and determines where improvements can be made. A standard productivity recommendation includes down-time analysis, potential layout changes for the production line and gaps in inputs. Quanex meets with the customer to discuss ways to improve the process and increase effi ciency. For example, this discussion would include additional operator training, recommended fl oor layouts, equipment updates or information system changes. Let Quanex help you take your business to the next level with high-performance products and technical support. Visit www.quanex.com for more information or to contact a representative. To receive the Fenestration Focus electronically, please e-mail your info to Marketing@Quanex.com

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