When it comes to improving the productivity of your warehouse and manufacturing process, there are a lot of things that come into play. However, as a businessman, you have to make sure that you spend your money somewhere you get the most value. Due to this exact reason, most manufacturing companies have installed automated conveyor systems in their plants to improve productivity. Where installing a conveyor system is non-negotiable, you still have to keep a lot of things in your mind to perfect it. From initial cost to maintenance needs, here are five things you should be looking for in a conveyor system.
Conveyor System Design
If you have a unique manufacturing process, you are going to require a proper system that can provide you with the solution that you need. In order to do that, you need to look for a supplier who can provide you with conveyor systems that maximize productivity and ensure that your employers are safe. Optimizing your conveyor design may increase the upfront cost, but the return on the investment you get will definitely be worth it.
Equipment Longevity
When you are running a business that depends on your conveyor system to work properly, a broken or worn-out system is going to kill a lot of productivity. As a business manager, you need to make sure that you are making profits all the time and need to measure your time in terms of money. If you go for an average quality unit, you will need to repair it from time to time, which will not only cost you a lot of money, but it will also cost you time. So, always go for a quality manufacturing system that can withstand the test of time.
Equipment Clean-Ability
One of the most important things that you must consider especially when you are in the food-related industry is the ease by which you can clean your system. So, you need to make sure that the conveyor system is designed in such a way that you can easily access the nooks and crannies for inspection, maintenance, cleaning, and sanitation. You need to make sure that there aren’t any spill areas in your system so that it can hold liquid products. A design that is both hygienic and functional makes sure that you don’t contaminate your product.
Cost Management
Last but not least, it doesn’t matter if you have selected the greatest conveyor system for your manufacturing plant; if it doesn’t fall into your budget, it is going to be useless. Before you look for a conveyor system, you need to ask yourself what kind of functionalities do you need and how much money you can spend on the said system. After you have made a few basic guidelines, start searching for a system that falls under these guidelines. Before you sacrifice on a lot of things, you need to have an idea about what you are willing to sacrifice and what is important so that you get the best system for the money spent.
Long Term Company Goals
Another important thing that you have to consider is the chance that you are going to grow in the future as a company. It is going to have a huge impact on your decision as you will have to buy a system that fulfills the expectations you have from your manufacturing process in the future. It will save you a lot of time and money, as you will no longer have to upgrade your system or go through the frustrating ordeal of having to look for another conveyor system.