The last thing every company would want to experience is disruptions in their supply chain and battle inconsistencies in operation processes.
Imagine one of your equipment breaks, you can’t find your raw materials, or you’re suffering from infestations, and your production team is still trying to figure out what to do next or find proper solutions when things go awry. It would be unproductive and inefficient–and generally, it’s a nightmare.
Through this blog, we would like to highlight the importance of setting up a standard operation process for your production, especially for these top 5 key areas in manufacturing.
Standard Operation Processes in Manufacturing
Acquiring and producing your products at the right time is crucial to maintaining customer loyalty and satisfaction, but so is keeping your staff on track and everything else in place. With the fast-paced business landscape, everybody is playing catch up, and things get overwhelming.
That is why we set standard operation processes in place. It serves as a structural framework that guides your staff, giving them the knowledge and tools to consistently accomplish deliverables on time while maintaining an organized workplace or production floor.
Handling Raw Materials and Storage
Ensure the products you produce are top-grade by verifying the quantity against your purchase orders and inspecting the quality upon receipt of your raw materials. Should there be any problems, such as spoilage or missing items, you will save your team time and allow them to handle the issue beforehand.
How you store your raw materials will also affect your stocks and upon use, your product. After inspecting them, it would help if you categorize your raw materials and label them. Especially with their name, batch number, and expiry date if applicable.
Then, store your raw materials in designated areas according to their requirements such as temperature, humidity, etc. You may also opt to use a first-in-first-out (FIFO) inventory management system to ensure you use older materials first.
Equipment and Operation
More than minimizing your production downtime, having a standard operation procedure for your equipment ensures the safety of its users.
Regularly check your equipment and set them up by following specific procedures outlined in its manual. Make sure it’s clean, calibrated, and in good condition before using them.
It’s crucial to conduct routine checks during operation to monitor your equipment’s performance and adjust them when necessary and after shutting down your equipment, follow established cleaning procedures.
Quality Control
Conducting thorough inspections of your finished products guarantees they meet quality standards before you pack and distribute them.
Plan and collect a sample product to inspect it for visual defects, dimensional accuracy, and adherence to specifications. Then document your observations and results.
If you see any damage, take corrective actions, rework or disposal, and document any changes made according to established procedures.
Packaging and Labeling
Pack and label finished products according to regulatory requirements and customer specifications.
Consider your product’s attributes and shipping requirements to select appropriate packaging materials or containers and check them for defects and cleanliness before use. Follow set instructions for packing, including quantity, arrangement, and protective measures.
Check labels if they contain correct product information, batch numbers, expiry dates, and regulatory compliance markings before applying them. Conduct a final check to verify labels and packaging before releasing them for distribution.
Cleaning and Sanitization
Finally, prevent contamination and ensure product safety by regularly maintaining a clean and sanitized storage, equipment, and workspace.
Assess the usage and risk associated with different areas and types of equipment, then establish cleaning schedules. Use the appropriate cleaning agents and sanitizers approved in food, pharmaceutical, or industrial settings.
If there is a need to disassemble your equipment, make sure to follow detailed cleaning and rinsing procedures. Double-check for residue, debris, or signs of contamination.
Document relevant details such as cleaning activities, date, time, and personnel involved, and verify completion through visual inspections.
In conclusion, standard operation processes are critical to maintaining efficiency and consistency in manufacturing products. And, keep your customers satisfied when you ensure product quality and on-time delivery.
Your current and future staff can work more efficiently and increase their productivity with a well-structured framework set to follow. Ultimately, investing in standard operation processes is an investment in the long-term success of your business.
Photo by Kataryna Babaieva and Mikhail Nilov via Pexels