KENNZAHLEN

• Enhanced Accuracy by Minimizing Error Rate 
• Streamlined Material Flow for Efficiency 
• Improved Planning and Construction Processes for Optimal Results
  

STARTING SITUATION

• Carpenter’s shop with ten employees.
• Established structures that have been reviewed in the context of a generational change:
  
• Manual BOM and order document creation,
• Machine programming at the machine, in the workshop,
• Employees follow the order, one individual responsible for executing all processing tasks.
• Large machine park that allows for a high level of vertical integration,
• individual construction of all workpieces.

APPROACH

• Analysis of the workshop according to the 4 main areas of efficiency: people, materials, technology and process: 
• Material: analysis of the most common furniture and the fittings used; Derivation of a dimension- and material-flexible construction standard for each furniture category (cabinets, tables,...)
• Technology: Analysis of the utilization rates per machine and the requirements from the orders in terms of materiality (solid wood / panel material, coated / varnished / oiled, ...)
• People: Setup of individual production areas (Machine centers, manual workplaces, surface treatments,... à development of a qualification matrix for each area and employee, as well as the assignment of employees to the respective areas. 
• Process: Analysis of the internal flow of information and identification of digitalization potentials. 
• Identification of further improvement potentials for the future-proof orientation. 
• List of other abnormalities such as compressed air leaks, workplace design, material flow.

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

• Developing a guiding principle for the transformation from a traditional craft business to a modern, digital and future-proof carpentry workshop: 
• Material: A construction standard for each furniture category has been developed, which can be used flexibly to the respective dimensions depending on the customer's wishes. The advantages result in faster, simpler and error-free design and machine programming.
• Technology: Concentrating the machinery on the core competence of the company (solid wood furniture) has led to a reduction in the size of the machinery, thus simplifying the qualification of employees and increasing the number of external suppliers in the event of an order. The space gained by reducing the number of machines is used to optimize the flow of materials.
• People: Moving from a single worker doing all the work to assigning workers to specific groups and production areas encourages more focused skill development and collaboration within each area.
• Process: Introduction of a design and planning software that works on the basis of the defined design standard and creates parts lists, drawings and, in a possible expansion stage, machine programs.