Savings in production do not always mean drastic cuts. Often, it's about finding inefficiencies that are overlooked at first glance. And that is where the greatest potential for improvement lies.
Three types of activities in production
Each production process can be divided into three basic groups of activities:
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Activities that add value to the product
- such as parts assembly, machining or welding. -
Activities that do not add value but are necessary
- typically product packaging or quality control. -
Accompanying activities
- These include material handling, machine maintenance and transport within the plant.
It is the last group that is often underestimated. Yet this is where the greatest scope for savings lies in the long term.
Why focus on accompanying activities?
At first glance, it may seem that material handling or machine maintenance are only minor items in the overall costs. In reality, however, they represent fixed and recurring costswhich gradually generate a large financial volume.
By streamlining these activities:
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Reduction of production lead times,
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reducing downtime,
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better capacity utilisation,
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lower operating costs.
How we look for savings in practice
At SEMA, we help companies discover and realize real savings. The most common solutions include:
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Tailor-made machine innovations - modification or development of single-purpose devices that replace tedious manual activities.
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Production layout optimization - more efficient distribution of workplaces and material flows.
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Process modifications - eliminating duplication, digitising administration or introducing automation.
By combining design know-how and practical experience from our manufacturing plants, we can design a solution that has measurable benefit.
Conclusion
Savings in production are not just about buying cheaper components or reducing investment. The greatest potential is often found where nothing seems to be happening - in the supporting activities.
👉 If you want to find out where your biggest savings potential lies, get in touch. We'll be happy to come and analyse your operation and develop a tailored solution.