Bott invests to support lean culture

The investmenthas been in a Salvagnini P4-2516, a machine tool which forms sheet metal used to process Bott’s range of workshop and in-vehicle equipment. The P4 is used to fabricate punched sheet metal into a range of high density drawer cabinets, storage cupboards, workbenches, wall panel storage and tool display systems. An off-line terminal and universal tool set reduce set-up times for individual programmes and this, combined with integration to Bott’s CAD system, allows the company to minimise lead times for its bespoke products and prototypes. The plant is part of Bott’s lean manufacturing programme, and the P4’s increased output will further improve the company's current lean objective – to reduce downtime and improve delivery performance. “This new plant represents a step-change in the early stages of the production process," said Andrew Poole, Bott’s engineering manager. "That, in turn, improves the efficiency of our entire manufacturing process, enhancing the quality and service experienced by our customers. Approximately 60 per cent of our products include sheet metal formed by this machine, so it is a fundamental part of our operations.”