Interview with Jos Hensen

Start on time with the Manufacturing Execution System

“Suppose you, as a food manufacturer, get your raw materials in a big bag and throw it in a silo. You then want to be sure that you organize it ‘first in first out’ and that your tracking & tracing is properly arranged. Many companies think too simply about this, if you think about an MES in time you avoid many problems.”

Jos Hensen advises industrial companies in the field of Manufacturing Execution System (MES) , the coordination of the automation of your machines with the automation in the office (ERP). According to Jos, this is often considered too late, but fortunately also often on time: “We were recently involved in the construction of a plant for vegetable oil, we were called in on time and together with the technologists we were able to make real hits. As a MES advisor you really feel your value, too often you are only called after all the machines have been arranged.”

Why is a MES often considered too late?

“Companies that want to build new food factories often have ambitious plans, they want to expand or take a new market. Then of course they think about location, permits, architects and they talk to the machine suppliers. A lot of time is spent on this, but it is also closest to the people involved in the construction: management, process technologists, production managers, you name it.”

“The control is usually supplied by the machine suppliers, people often think about the connection to the ERP system late. But that is important, because everything is regulated in it: ordering raw materials, quality control, storage, orders, consumption, yields, hours, you name it. Then a MES is important.”

What are the benefits of starting a MES on time?

“Once you’re at it, companies see the benefits of an MES, so you create a good framework for your suppliers. Once you have the overall picture, you can explain to the suppliers what they do and do not have to do, and you can then present them with a clear scope.”

“Unfortunately, companies often start late with the MES, often the first machines are already driven in when they start using it. It is then difficult to obtain capacity from people, to properly formulate the ‘requirements’ and to select, specify and test a supplier. The factory is almost ready, so they start without a MES and start building things in the machine control anyway. I have experienced several times that the factory is started with paper administration, only after a while is the MES looked at. That’s a shame, I think.”

Why should companies involve MES advisors on time?

“If we are involved in time and can think along from the entire factory, we can also give good tips about streamlining the processes, so that they can be properly automated later. If you come late, you will suffer later.”

“We do not interfere with the process itself, that is the craftsmanship of the manufacturer. But we do look at integral revenues and losses, for example, in the ERP, for example, the timely ordering of raw materials. We also do not advise on machines, but we do set minimum automation requirements, for example. We have to be able to put the right things in and get them out.”

“So my plea is: involve MES experts in building new factories in time, so that automation integrates seamlessly. They are often only involved at the last minute, which MES ‘we’ll do later’. You have to start on time. I’m not saying that to get customers, I really think so. I’ve seen it go wrong too many times.”

Do you have any questions about this case or are you curious about what Greywise can do for you. Please contact Jos.