SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC OPENS THE FIRST SMART FACTORY IN NUEVO LEON
By Enrique Martinez
August 2, 2019
Schneider
Electric, a French leading company in the energy sector, began operations in
the first Smart Factory with digital industrial processes at the forefront in
the market.
Schneider Electric has launched different intelligent factories in the entire world in countries like China, France, India, Indonesia, Philippines and now, Mexico. These are a central component in the digital transformation of the supply chain, in which supply chain digital tools are used, in which digital tools are used in all operations to provide integration and visibility of end to end and improve the performance of their operations.
“We have important plans for this Factory, that is why, by the end of 2019, we anticipate increasing between 20 and 30 percent its workforce, obtaining a 100 % growth of its invoicing regarding 2018 and transfer some production lines to that location, therefore today we announce an additional investment of nine million dollars for the execution of such projects,” said Enrique Gonzalez Haas, president and general director of Schneider Electric Mexico and Central America.
Schneider Electric team in Monterrey has successfully tested different digital solutions, has improved its workforce for IoT and has been implemented in the company’s global manufacturing network; these include 1,100 employees in two production lines that manufacture products like engine control centers, lighting panels, and security switches.
Regarding alliances with universities and associations, the Smart Factory of Schneider Electric has collaborations with the Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Tec Milenio, the Tecnologico de Monterrey, and the Universidad del Valle de Mexico, by promoting different programs such as conference teaching, workshops, and seminars, as well as professional practices. The plant has quality certifications like ISO9000 and ISO14000 and it is a member of the Association of Manufacturing, Maquila and Export Services in Nuevo Leon.
HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITIZATION
Juan Carlos Pena, director of operations in the new Smart Factory, said that the corporate program of Schneider Electric is named “Life is On” and is aligned to Fourth Industrial Revolution, living the digital era.
“It is important because digitalization represents growth. In 2017, 964 billion euros were invested in connected products and 25 % of profits come from there. Schneider has created a smart architecture of products and solutions in six domains where Schneider is an expert. Our digital transformation model must provide those benefits and have also the priority of helping our customers in their transformation,” he assured.
The manager indicated that the plant manufactures control panels of elimination and send them to distribution centers; if any customer requires something, in particular, he can enter on a part of the system and configure it, being ready to be produced in 24 hours.
“We are talking about millions of combinations in configured products. We also manufacture engine control centers, these products are customized and designed specifically to fulfill certain characteristics of customers and we can monitor in real time in which part of the process they are and when they will arrive at the customer, as well as its transformation,” he noted.
Up to now, the plant has improved productivity by 10 % and has reduced customers' complains by 80 %, by using their equipment up to 20 % more useful.
“When a great amount of data joins with analysis, information based in data can improve productivity and efficiency in a company, in addition to promote new digital business models using the safe and reliable cloud of Microsoft Azure, and the experience of domain and the operational technology for energy management and automation of Schneider Electric,” he said.
Currently, the plant has four production lines and will continue implementing others this year. It is about the first plant born and built with the EcoStruxture concept and the first one in North America to have those specifications.
“The operation has more than 2,000 products connected that help us to illustrate processes, they help us to obtain data that storages in the cloud and through applications help us make better decisions and implement our processes. We have better management of the production floor, more efficient processes in quality and time, more efficient operators, committed and empowered to make decisions. Our processes are more reliable, safe and we have energy savings,” he noted.
UNDERLINING THE IMPORTANCE OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT
Meanwhile, Cesar Garza Villarreal, mayor of Apodaca, assured that investments like Schneider Electric endorse the global leadership of the company and the strategic and competitive location Nuevo Leon and Apodaca represent.
“This is an event of great public interest, the best development strategy is employment and productive investment. More than 1,300 people will earn a living here to assure a better life quality for their families,” he noted.
The mayor revealed that Schneider already has six operation plants in Apodaca and said that the productive work, competitiveness, and savings are the means through which Mexico will continue growing.
“We have to continue complying with innovation, in the production line with trained and responsible work, just as this plant is doing it, we all will continue promoting the economic growth of the country from our functions,” he ended.
RECUADRO AZUL:
With EcoStruxure modules, the Smart plant in Monterrey anticipates several productive benefits, including:
Reduction in maintenance costs by 30 %, while general equipment efficiency increases by 7 percent.
Agile management with an investment return (ROI) of less than one year through process efficiency.
Increase in process efficiency, above 10 percent.
Implementation in most critical machines, as the paint system, the welding robot, and the electric boards, monitoring critical variables
Reduction on maintenance time.
Significant improvement in safety during maintenance intervention through Augmented Reality Applications.
Energy efficiency: 10 % additional savings on an already optimized consumption level.
CO2 footprint reduction in 377 tons.
Optimization of administration of facilities maintenance of 10 % in the workforce and spare part pieces costs.
Preventive
vs. corrective maintenance increase.