Shorter Lead Times For Saunders Diaphragm Valves

Published: 18th November 2015 | Issue 35 Share article:

Saunders®, part of Crane ChemPharma & Energy, has set up in its historical facility in Cwmbran South Wales, a new delivery system which is aiming to provide short lead times matching the expectations of industrial diaphragm valve customers.

The system builds upon the experiences of “lean” manufacturing in the automotive industry, and is based on a linkage process between customer demand, stocking and manufacturing capabilities, and suppliers’ capacity.

Starting with identification of the parts with highest demand parts, and with the target to ensure at least 75% of the current demand is available on short lead times, we have defined quantities of semifinished parts which have been built as a “buffer stock”. Held in-house or at the sub-supplier level to allow us to deliver the finished valves within the target lead times, the stock has been organized in a visually managed “Kanban” bin system which allows for replenishment driven by demand for that part.

Additionally, we have added product lines into the short lead time system which in the past have proved problematic from the delivery point of view as glass lined valves and check valves. Glass lined diaphragm Shorter Lead Times For Saunders Diaphragm Valves valves are the valves of choice for high corrosive as well as abrasive fluids, and our tilting disc, lined NX check valves are an important piping component to prevent fluid reversal, particularly with corrosive media and slurries.

Another important improvement has been the decision to stock all the actuation as finished component parts, leveraging the modular design of our ES modular actuators which allows “late” configuration of the actuator according to different size and power requirements. This will enable us to support the demand for actuation, particularly for demineralised water system overhauls, together with our large range of rubber lined and plastic lined valves.

These new additions and extension of availability, complete a large product range encompassing rubber (Butyl, hard natural rubber, soft natural rubber, Polychloroprene) and plastic (PFA, ETFE, PVDF, PP) lined diaphragm valves, capable of meeting the most demanding duties in the Process (Chemical, Fertilisers, Mining, Steel) and Power Industries.

The result has been the capability to deliver almost 2700 different saleable parts in 4, 6 and 8 weeks ex works, corresponding to 77% of our current sales. This has been possible thanks to the building of a buffer stock of 1,100 semi-finished parts inhouse, which has taken several months to fill and arrange.

The new set up has been implemented from 1st October 2015 and communicated to channel partners and key customers electronically and via video conference, together with a simplified version of the current price list which includes the item quantities up to which the short lead times are guaranteed. We have also developed system reports to monitor customer satisfaction and for early detection of any issues. We expect that this improvement, together with the current stock held at distribution level, will boost the capability to serve the market demand for diaphragm valves, representing a competitive advantage of the Saunders UK manufacturer.

Crane ChemPharma & Energy
Tel: 01633 486 666
Web: www.cranecpe.com

Search related articles:   Crane ChemPharma & Energy, SaundersIssue 35Diaphragm Valves / Pinch Valves

Recent magazine news articles