Article | December 23, 2021
Every manufacturing company aims to be as efficient as possible to maximize profit. However, it's difficult to determine where you stand and what targets to establish unless you can precisely measure your efficiency. Manufacturing KPIsplay an important role in this process.
Keeping track of many indicators without considering their commercial worth is a waste of time.
“Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted”
- Albert Einstein
But connecting goals to measurements is a certain way to track progress and improve processes. So let's get started with how to choose the most appropriate key performance indicators(KPIs) for your business.
Manufacturing KPI 2022: How to Choose the Right One?
Why are KPIs called “Key” Performance Indicators? While any statistic can be used to assess performance, KPIs are the most critical. Hence they are called key performance indicators. Companies' priorities while selecting their company KPIs may differ substantially depending on the industry in which they operate.
“Strategic-operational KPIs alignment gives the organization a powerful tool to use when implementing change.”
― Pearl Zhu
A corporation should not track more than ten manufacturing KPIs to avoid overblowing processes. So, manufacturing efficiency, customer satisfaction, lead times, etc., should all be included.
Depending on your business nature, you must select your KPIs. However, each of those indicators must meet a set of criteria before being considered meaningful.
So, what is a decent KPI for manufacturing?
It gives objective and clear data on progress toward a certain goal
It measures efficiency, quality, punctuality, and performance
It allows for tracking performance over time
It helps in decision making
It should be the one that matches the company's long-term objectives
It has to be measurable and quantifiable
It must be realistic and actionable
Following that, let's have a look at the most important manufacturing KPIs for 2022, which will assist you in better understanding your manufacturing business and formulating a growth strategy in line with that understanding.
Most Critical Manufacturing KPIs in Order of Priority
Despite the fact that manufacturers should also monitor general key performance indicators (KPIs) such as sales revenue, net profit margin, and so on, the manufacturing business demands the tracking of specific manufacturing metrics. Below are some of the most important manufacturing key performance indicators (KPIs).
Work-in-process
Using this manufacturing KPI metric, you can see how much value there is in products still in progress. It assists manufacturing organizations in determining how much of their working capital is locked up in incomplete products and can aid in identifying supply chain managementdifficulties.
You can compute the Work-In-Progress (WIP) by using the formula provided below.
Return on Assets
This manufacturing KPIseems to be more about financing than manufacturing. Yes, it does. However, financial measurements are just as vital as production ones. A firm cannot exist unless it generates revenue, and this indicator measures how efficiently your company uses its assets and generates revenues.
The Return on Assets (ROA) of your company can be calculated using the formula below.
Cost Per Unit
It is critical to understand the overall manufacturing cost per unit. You can't appropriately price a product without it. This manufacturing KPIdivides total manufacturing costs by the number of units produced. Materials, overhead, depreciation, and labor are standard costs.
Demand Forecasting
Companies utilize this manufacturing statisticto forecast future raw material needs to satisfy client demand. Unfortunately, this statistic is more challenging to employ because it is mainly dependent on unpredictable external circumstances. The basic formula is:
Where:
The seasonal factors are distinct
Average demand is calculated as:
Lead Time
A company's lead time, also known as order cycle time, is an important KPI. It shows how swiftly your organization processes orders and meets client requests. It is time it takes to complete an order from confirmation to delivery.
Long lead times can imply process inefficiencies that produce bottlenecks and excessive expenses. Conversely, short lead times are important since they allow you to respond to consumer needs swiftly and efficiently.
The total lead time can be divided into smaller segments as follows:
The time it takes to manufacture a product from start to finish
The time it takes to deliver a product from stockto a client
The time it takes suppliers to deliver products to manufacturers
By segmenting the lead time, you may more precisely identify the areas where inefficiencies in the process occur.
Toyota’s Four Key Performance Metrics
As a company, Toyota places a high focus on environmental protection. Toyota's vehicles are designed to use less fuel and produce less waste.
Regardless of the company's size, Toyota is committed to protecting the environment. Toyota's 'Earth Charter' was created in 1992 as part of the company's Global Policy initiative. It was Toyota's first overseas facility and the UK's first ISO14001-certified car manufacturer. Waterborne paints were utilized for the first time and zero waste was sent to landfills. In 2009, Toyota Manufacturing UK did not use any incinerators.
Toyota has developed a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) for each of its major production areas. There are four key performance metrics: energy, water, waste, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Since its start in 1992, Toyota Manufacturing UK has attempted to mitigate its environmental impact. The figure below illustrates the environmental KPIsfor the Burnaston plant. Each year, Toyota sets new goals to improve its results.
79% reduction in vehicle energy consumption
62% reduction in waste per car
76% reduction in VOC emissions per car
79% reduction in water consumption per vehicle
Final Words
You can use the aforementioned manufacturing KPIsto construct your manufacturing KPI template, but keep in mind that the manufacturing metricsyou need to track may differ from those listed here. The first prudent move any business can make while examining its operation is to identify and track the relevant KPIs. Also, in manufacturing, there are several different KPIs, phrases, and abbreviations need to be understood and used where it makes the most sense.
FAQ
What is manufacturing KPI?
A manufacturing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) or metric is a well-defined and measurable indicator that the manufacturing sector uses to evaluate its performance over time and compare it to that of other industries.
What are the key KPIs for manufacturers?
On-Time Delivery, Production Schedule Attainment, Total Cycle Time, Throughput, Capacity Utilization, and Changeover Time are some of the key manufacturing KPIs.
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Article | February 1, 2022
A strong supply chain in manufacturing reduces interruptions, which may cost delivery businesses substantial time and money, as well as degrade their brand.
Maintaining consistency is important in any form of business. However, the important question that remains to be answered here is how to achieve consistency when the driving factors seem to be out of the company’s direct reach.
“The future of manufacturing is a critical enabler of economies.”
– Kathryn Wengel
In this article, we'll highlight the five ways to create a strong supply chain that helps any business reduce the risk of disruption and, finally, cost. Furthermore, we will discuss the supply chain leader, Cisco Systems, and how it ranked first in the Gartner supply chain top 25 for 2021.
How Supply Chain in Manufacturing Is Different
A well-functioning organization requires an effective supply chain. However, supply chain management in manufacturing is even more vital.
Below are the three reasons why supply chain management is different and vital in manufacturing.
Products are more complex than they have ever been
Brand owners no longer manufacture their own products
Manufacturing is becoming more technologically advanced
5 Ways to Build a Strong Supply Chain
Strengthen Your Relationships
Strong relationships require both parties to be transparent and to continually aim for mutual benefit. Manufacturers in supply chain management must recognize the significance of building strong associations with vendors and should act likewise.The primary benefit of a great, healthy vendor relationship is that it enables you to maximize the value of your business. The more familiar you are with your suppliers, and the more familiar they are with you, the more likely you will receive personalized service, preferred pricing, and exclusive terms.
Effective supplier connections assist your business in the following ways.
Delivery of high-quality materials on time
Production goes off without a hitch
Take advantage of incredible deals
Excellent service
Saving your business time and money
Expand Your Supply Chain
Maintain good working relationships with multiple vendors to ensure the efficient operation of your supply chain. This encourages healthy competition, which might lead to reduced prices and better service. A diversified supply chain enables you to look outside the confines of your organization while also fostering innovation and more creative approaches.
Diversification of your supply chain provides flexibility, allowing you to adapt to changing market trends and consumer expectations. By diversifying your regional supply base, you may be able to provide more competitive rates on a local level.
Maintain Accurate Data
Both you and your supplier will inevitably suffer losses if your numbers are incorrect. Make sure your estimates are based on correct data or numbers and that you've taken into account all possible demand scenarios before drawing them. Collaborate with suppliers in the formulation of projections using your strong supplier ties. Under-and over-delivery and over-stocking can be avoided, and the likelihood of higher freight charges for urgent orders can be decreased.
Organize Integrated Systems
To make informed decisions at all levels of your business, you need a system that collects, integrates, and analyzes data. Supply chain integration is the process of establishing coordination and expanding connectivity across the whole supply chain, from procurement to production planning to logistics.
Advanced technological solutions have made supply chains more efficient and simplified than ever before. Software automation in supply chain management also helps in decreasing the stress on employees, minimizing errors, and improving resource utilization by utilizing high-quality software.
Always Have a Plan B
The risks associated with your supply chain can be reduced significantly, if not eliminated. An effective disaster recovery strategy is a contingency plan that must be prepared keeping in mind all the worst possibilities. There are numerous approaches to mitigating supply chain interruption, including regionalization, segmentation, and supply chain diversity.
Cisco Systems Tops the Gartner Supply Chain Top 25
For the second consecutive year, Cisco Systems is ranked first in Gartner's supply chain top 25. In addition, Gartner reports that the IT company's agility and competency in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) efforts prioritized critical infrastructure for hospitals and vaccine research. Cisco's sustainability standards are integrated into its supply chain business processes to ensure continual improvement and the generation of significant change necessary to manage ESG.
Cisco established two new targets for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reductions after reaching specific, ambitious targets one year ahead of schedule: A 30% reduction in supply chain GHG emissions, and by 2025, 80% of Cisco's component, manufacturing, and logistics suppliers will have a public GHG emissions reduction objective.
Final Words
A supply chain is a vital component of nearly all forms of business. If you are facing difficulty in effectively controlling your business's supply chain, consider the techniques suggested. The manufacturing supply chain process flow must be well-designed and well-executed to successfully complete the production cycle. Today's technology enables you to transform a complex supply chain into a simpler one that aids in risk anticipation and reduction. However, utilize this technology wisely and keep in mind that interpersonal relationships remain a critical component of supply chain success.
FAQ
How to build a strong supply chain?
When developing a robust supply chain, flexibility, data, future thinking, integration, and innovation are some of the most significant factors to be kept in mind. Moreover, keeping a backup of everything is critical.
What factors characterize a strong supply chain?
Visibility, optimization, achieving the lowest feasible cost, punctuality, and consistency are key factors of a successful supply chain.
What is supply chain manufacturing?
In the manufacturing industry, the supply chain is responsible for facilitating the transfer and transportation of raw materials into finished products.
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Article | April 1, 2022
Digital twin technology in the manufacturing industry is playing a vital role in evaluating current and future production line conditions to increase OEE, productivity, and business profitability. It has become the most critical component of industry 4.0 because it collects precise data about your manufacturing process and uses that data to help you make wiser decisions.
In other words, manufacturers can utilize digital twins to check and assess physical assets, processes, and systems in a virtual environment.
In this article, we will discuss some of the major applications of digital twin technology in the manufacturing industry. Additionally, we also have a look at how this technology helps businesses increase their ROI.
Digital Twin Technology Applications
Product Development
Product development is a long and intricate process. For example, it might take up to six years to develop and launch a new automobile model. The shift from the previous model to the new model must be seamless. A minor error during this process might have a detrimental effect on the brand's value and revenue. A digital twin software enables the integration of data between previous-generation models and the new concept's digital representations. Additionally, twinning facilitates communication between product designers, end users, and other stakeholders. When it comes to product testing, having digital twin platforms eliminates the need to wait for performance data from car trials to determine the product's performance and quality.
Design Customization
As consumers become more intelligent, and demand personalized items in a timely manner, the manufacturing industry will become increasingly competitive. According to an Industry Week Special Research Report on the future of manufacturing, industrial enterprises of all sizes place a premium on process improvement and customer relationship strengthening, while small businesses focus on addressing customer demand for product customization. To assist in the customization process, manufacturers use Twin Design Customization, which enables the virtual design and re-design of goods prior to generating a physical product that fully meets consumer specifications.
Shop Floor Performance Improvement
The shop-floor digital twin concept helps businesses to be proactive as the system is capable of identifying anomalous situations. This demands attention and process improvements prior to them escalating into a real problem or standstill.
Predictive Maintenance
Individual digital twin examples for equipment or manufacturing processes can detect deviations that indicate the need for preventative repairs or maintenance prior to the occurrence of a serious problem. Additionally, they can aid in the optimization of load levels, tool calibration, and cycle times.
Can Digital Twin Boost Business Revenue?
According to a recent study by Juniper Research, revenue from digital twins (a virtual representation of a connected physical product, process, or service throughout its lifecycle) will reach $13 billion by 2023. This is an increase from an estimated $9.8 billion in 2019, representing an average annual growth rate of 35%. The study also discovered that increased deployments of advanced sensors for data collection and technological advancements such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing are enhancing the benefits of digital twins.
So, how does a digital twin help your company's ROI?
The digital twin improves transformation efficiency by providing platforms and technologies that simulate the impact of process changes in your supply chain – in a safe, secure, and digitally isolated environment – using real-time scenario modeling generated parallel with live supply chain operations. More than a visualization, a digital twin can help accelerate innovation, foster consensus, and save time and money by iteratively modeling changes, testing how components or systems operate, and inexpensively troubleshooting malfunctions in a virtual world.
Final Words
The digital twin platforms benefit manufacturing organizations across all verticals, including supply chain management, manufacturing operations, and logistics. Thus, technology is accelerating and enhancing the manufacturing industry to obtain more positive results and, in turn, increase its efficiency and, as a result, its return on investment. The digital twin will gain popularity as businesses learn to use it to their advantage. According to a 2020 analysis conducted by Research and Markets, up to 89% of all IoT platforms will incorporate digital twins by 2025. Thus, the future of digital twins is bright, and we may witness increased use of digital twins in the next few years.
FAQ
How digital twin help businesses?
Digital twins can help businesses make better data-driven decisions. Businesses utilize digital twins to understand the state of physical assets, respond to changes, optimize operations, and add value to systems.
How does digital twin save money?
A digital twin can save time and money by iteratively modeling modifications, testing component or system functionality, and resolving faults in virtual reality.
What are the essential components of digital twin technology?
The concept of the digital twin is composed of three unique components: the physical product, the digital or virtual product, and the linkages between the two.
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Article | December 8, 2021
A digital twin is a virtual model of an object or system that comprises its lifecycle. It is updated with real-time data and aids decision-making through simulation, machine learning, and reasoning for the production system.
IoT sensor data from the original object is used to create a digital twin of the system. This cloud-connected data allows engineers to monitor systems and model system dynamics in real-time.
Modifications can be tested on the digital twin before making changes to the original system.
Considering that digital twins are supposed to replicate a product's complete lifecycle and are used throughout the production process, it's not unexpected that digital twins have become prevalent in all stages of manufacturing.
“More than a blueprint or schematic, a digital twin combines a real-time simulation of system dynamics with a set of executive controls,”
– Dr. Daniel Araya, consultant and advisor with a special interest in artificial intelligence, technology policy, and governance
Companies will increasingly embrace digital twins to boost productivity and decrease expenses. As per recent research by Research and Markets, nearly 36% of executives across industries recognize the benefits of digital twinning, with half planning to implement it by 2028.So how does this digital twin technology benefit modern manufacturing? Let's have a look.
How the Digital Twin Drives Smart Manufacturing
Digital twins in manufacturing are used to replicate production systems. Manufacturers can develop virtual representations of real-world products, equipment, processes, or systems using data from sensors connected to machines, tools, and other devices.
In manufacturing, such simulations assist in monitoring and adapting equipment performance in real-time. With machine learning techniques, digital twins can predict future events and anticipate potential difficulties.
For maintenance, digital twins allow for quick detection of any problems. They collect real-time system data, prior failure data, and relevant maintenance data. The technique employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to predict maintenance requirements. Using this data, companies can avoid production downtime.
Digital Twin and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in manufacturing
Using digital twins and AI in production can enhance uptime by predicting potential failures and keeping equipment working smoothly. In addition, there are significant cost savings in the planning and design process as digital twins and AI can be used to replicate a specific scenario.
Maintenance is another area that has seen significant progress with the use of digital twin manufacturing. A Digital Twin powered by AI can predict when a piece of equipment will fail, allowing you to arrange predictive maintenance that is not simply taking information from OEM manuals but can significantly cut maintenance expenses along with reducing downtime.
Using the digital twin, it is feasible to train virtual workers in high-risk functions, similar to how pilots are trained using flight simulators. It also frees up highly skilled workers to upgrade the plant and streamline operations.
General Electric Created the Most Advanced Digital Twin
General Electric Company (GE) is a multinational business based in Boston that was founded in 1892. It has developed the world's most advanced digital twin, which blends analytic models for power plant components that monitor asset health, wear, and performance with KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) determined by the customer and the organization's objectives. The Digital Twin is powered by PredixTM, an industrial platform built to manage huge amounts of data and run analytic algorithms. General Electric Company provides extra "control knobs" or "dimensionality" that can be utilized to improve the operation of the system or asset modeled with GE Digital Twin.
Final Words
Given the numerous advantages of digital twin manufacturing, the potential for digital twins to be used in manufacturing is virtually endless in the near future. There will be a slew of new advancements in the field of digital twin manufacturing. As a result, digital twins are continually acquiring new skills and capabilities. The ultimate goal of all of these enhancements is to create the insights necessary to improve products and streamline processes in the future.
FAQ
What is a digital twin in manufacturing?
The digital twins could be used to monitor and enhance a production line or perhaps the whole manufacturing process, from product design to production.
How digital twin benefit manufacturers?
Using digital twins to represent products and manufacturing processes, manufacturers can save assembly, installation, and validation time and costs.
What is a digital thread?
A digital twin is a realistic version of a product or system that replicates a company's equipment, controls, workflows, and systems. The digital thread, on the other hand, records a product's life cycle from creation to dissolution.
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