4 Steps to an Efficient Factory Floor Layout

Any factory facility needs to have an efficient layout. Any factory or manufacturing facility needs to fulfill orders quickly, which means having a number of key components in place. So what can you do to make sure that you maintain an efficient factory floor which reduces workplace injuries and increases productivity? 

Have a Maintenance Plan

Every facility will have a different type of machinery, therefore, a maintenance plan needs to be drawn up. You need to focus on the employees to make sure they contribute what they think should be covered in this plan and how the plan works. There are so many different variables that contribute to an efficient factory floor, for example, organization and planning, which are two sides to the same coin. If you really want to ensure an efficient factory floor in this respect, industrial cleaning services can make a big difference, and it’s also a good idea to hire a maintenance manager or have an employee take responsibility for the overall upkeep to ensure procedures are being followed. 

Look at Your Factory Floor Layout

If the business has been in operation for a number of years, your layout may not be fit for purpose. Understanding the layout and how it could change as your business improves is vital. If the factory operation has grown incrementally over the years, it’s likely your layout is still working for your business in its embryonic stages. When looking at the current processes, you need to bring employees on board so they can share their frustrations and see how you can adjust to the workplace. Flow is everything, so having relevant departments compartmentalized or connected will make for an efficient working environment, as well as having designated storage so workers have easy access to materials can make a big difference. 

Reviewing Systems and Processes

You need to have a good look at your current systems and processes and understand how they are being used. Taking the time to see how they can be improved or optimized will make a big difference in your return on investment. Technology is something that needs to be addressed on a regular basis, which means looking at your software and ensuring that what you are using is having a positive impact on the process. While it may not be necessary to incorporate automation, there will be aspects where automating certain routine tasks can improve the output, while also reducing errors and waste products. 

Empowering Your Employees

The final piece of the puzzle is to ensure that your employees are more autonomous and responsible in their workload, which will increase productivity. Encouraging your employees to identify certain barriers to their workload that can improve their daily tasks is going to help in so many ways. There are other things you could do, such as setting up a mentoring program in your business, which will ensure that they have far better insight into the bigger picture. 

An efficient factory floor operation is always going to make a big impact on your employees and their work, so it’s time to prioritize it.