Ekro
“The cooperation with IB Food-Machines is perfect thanks to good coordination. They stand out because they do what they say. A deal is a deal and that is kept exactly. I enjoy the current machines a lot and they also offer us maintenance contracts.”
Martin Koelen, Manager Operations @ Ekro/VanDrie Group
What is Ekro looking for?
New saws are requested by Ekro’s production department. That request reaches Martin Koelen, the operations manager of VanDrie Group (which includes Ekro). Among other things, he oversees safety during this production. Worker safety comes first, followed by food safety; production speed comes next. These are important requirements for new machines; so are the saws. The request and these conditions are forwarded to the food producer’s project office.
There they know that several other departments of the VanDrie Group are already working with saws equipped with the BladeStop system. The boning plant, among others, already relies on it. These saws have a double detection system: when they come into contact with bare skin, or when a hand in a glove gets too close, the saw stops within milliseconds. Martin Koelen is enthusiastic, because safety is met in any case: “After contact with the saw, a band-aid is enough, instead of losing your fingers.” But which supplier provides Ekro with the right Kolbe and Thompson saws with BladeStop system? That turns out to be IB Food-Machines. Raymond Idink, Ekro’s project manager, says, “IB Food-Machines was the only one with a saw that met our safety requirements.”
What solution does IB Food-Machines offer?
A safe saw is one thing, but the machines must also fit within the existing production environment. In Ekro’s case, customization is required. IB Food-Machines can provide this, which Koelen says contributed to the ultimate choice of this supplier. To give an idea: during a shift, the four saws are in constant use. Therefore, a conscious decision was made to buy eight so that the machines for the evening shift can be cleaned during the morning shift, and vice versa. This is ideally done in the same hall and no longer at a different location, which saves a lot of time. Koelen compares this to a Formula One pit stop.
In order to make the above scenario possible in-line, adjustments appear to be necessary. Idink: “The new situation was drawn completely in 3D. Based on this, IB Food-Machines adapted the frames of the saws, among other things, so that they could easily be put in-line.” The trackwork and personnel positions also had to be adjusted. The fact that IB Food-Machines is actively thinking along in this gives Ekro confidence: a supplier who is more than just a box-shopper.
How is the collaboration going?
In addition to thinking about the new situation, and supplying the saws, IB Food-Machines also provides staff education and training. After all, to work with BladeStop saws, you must first go through the safety procedure. Otherwise, the machine won’t work. According to Idink, this takes getting used to, especially for people who have been in the business for thirty years. They suddenly have to work differently. New employees must also be thoroughly familiar with this procedure, which fits seamlessly with the VanDrie Group’s safety-first principle.
In addition, Ekro can of course rely on a maintenance and service contract. Twice a year, each machine is completely examined and optimized. Brake blocks and clamps are replaced by IB Food-Machines; an operator can easily fit a new saw blade himself. Faults are solved as quickly as possible due, on the one hand, to the presence of spare parts and, on the other, because Ekro’s own technical service department can solve first-hand faults itself. Is additional help needed? Then IB Food-Machines service technician is standing by.
A word about safety first and then speed: in this Ekro did not have to choose. Because an operator feels more comfortable with the safe saw, he dares to work faster. So production goes up, while safety remains guaranteed. That’s a win-win situation!
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