We’ve come a long way…

The last few years have seen one of the leading leisure vehicle manufacturers Elddis Ltd transform the way in which they produce their side panels for their caravans and motorhomes.

Back in 2004 Elddis Ltd realised its vision to implement a one-piece flow production line to revolutionise side panel production.

Elddis Ltd has invested over £1,000,000 into new production facilities and in Summer 2007 the project was completed. Elddis Ltd now boasts a modern production facility in an area called laminating shop 1. The area now includes manipulator lifts, laser framing technology and heated presses. This has enabled Elddis Ltd to increase the quality of the products and improve material control throughout the laminating shop.

The first stage of the investment started in 2004 with the installation of a new CNC machine (computerised numerical controls). This allows precision and accuracy in the cutting and shaping of the side panels once they have been manufactured. The benefits of using CNC technology are immense; it controls the amount of waste the factory produces whilst improving the safety of the employees.

Stage two saw the introduction of a reversing spray line; this is where the aluminium is added to the laminated side panels, they are then glued together ready for the heated press. At this point in the investment two lasers were also installed, these lasers map out where the features of the panel need to be in the first stages of manufacturing allowing employees to construct the foundations of the laminated panels. In the past a series of templates were used to plot out the features of the panel, by using the lasers it has reduced the set up time on the side benches

The third stage is now complete, a new heated press has been installed, this speeds up the process allowing Elddis Ltd to manufacture better quality laminated side panels more efficiently. Previously the through put time for a side panel was in excess of 7 days now a side panel can be completed within 48 hours.

The one-piece flow production line produces all of the laminated side panels. The investment has not only improved the efficiency and quality but has also reduced the amount of manufacturing floor space allowing a safer working environment for the employees.

The whole project was part of Elddis Ltd’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Steve Ford, Managing Director of Elddis Ltd is pleased with the progress in the past year “It’s great to see the results of the investment paying off, through continuous investment and improvement we can continue to provide the best products to our customers and a better working environment for our staff”

Brian Jackson, Laminating Shop Manager is happy with the results of the investment. “The process is much better, giving us better control of material flow. The reduction in stock and better use of the floor space has improved the Health & Safety in the area”.

But Elddis Ltd don’t intend to stop now; they are currently investing a further into the second laminating shop and the motorhome production facilities giving Elddis the flexibility to manufacture to meet supply demands. More news on this will be posted in Elddis News in the near future.

Published: 07/12/2007