The plastics industry is experiencing strong growth, but it is also facing many challenges in terms of quality, efficiency, and production optimization. To overcome these challenges, many plastics businesses have turned to Epicor’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution and Advanced Manufacturing Execution System (AMES) solution to accelerate production processes, improve responsiveness, create flexibility, and optimize the entire production process.
1. Benefits of applying Epicor ERP in the plastics industry
Optimize supply chain management.
One of the major challenges in the plastics industry is supply chain management, especially in the procurement and storage of plastic raw materials, such as polymers and chemical additives. Epicor ERP provides a supply chain management tool that helps manufacturers accurately control the amount of raw materials needed, track transportation and storage, and minimize shortages or surpluses of raw materials. This not only helps optimize costs but also ensures continuity in the production process.
A typical example at the Arabian plastics industry company – APICO, Tanveer reveals, “Previously, we would buy raw materials wherever they were available at the time we received the order. Now that we have warehouse space, Epicor empowers us to buy using raw material price forecasts, which give us the lowest possible price. We then stock them to meet demand.”
Epicor helps improve timely payments to suppliers, helping businesses maintain strong and trusting relationships with them. Before using Epicor, payables were processed manually. Now, all trade agreements and payment schedules are centrally managed in one place.
Improve production efficiency and save costs.
Epicor ERP provides intelligent production planning capabilities and automates repetitive processes, thereby minimizing machine downtime and optimizing production time. The system also helps to minimize errors and increase labor productivity, thereby saving labor costs and raw material costs.
Ensure product quality.
Quality control in the plastics industry is a very important factor to ensure that products meet required standards and satisfy customers. Epicor ERP integrates quality control features to help manufacturers track and record quality information from each stage of production. Thanks to that, businesses can promptly detect and handle issues related to product quality.
Illustrative image. Source: epicor.com
2. Using Epicor AMES to Optimize and Improve Manufacturing Efficiency
Optimizing Manufacturing.
“Injection molding machines are a large capital expenditure,” says Ayre, a plastics manufacturer at Rutland Plastics. “So it’s important that they are always running, producing quality parts for our customers. Epicor Advanced MES allows us to find untapped capacity in each machine, negating the need to buy more.”
The complexity of the business means that thoughtful planning and scheduling are central to success. Epicor Advanced MES has helped Rutland Plastics proactively plan for tooling changes to accommodate the production of different products. “Epicor is able to manage the complexity of our scheduling and adapt to any irregularities in our process,” Ayre notes.
Improve productivity with analytics.
Epicor AMES enables analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) of each production line, helping managers identify bottlenecks, optimize operations, and continuously improve. This data helps make accurate improvement decisions based on real data, improve production efficiency, and optimize labor productivity.
Ensure product accuracy and consistency.
In the plastics industry, product accuracy and consistency are decisive factors for business success. Epicor AMES helps to strictly control the production process, from measuring and checking quality at each stage to ensuring products meet standards and strict customer requirements.
Illustrative image. Source: epicor.com
3. Integrate Epicor ERP and AMES into a Smart Manufacturing Ecosystem
One of the biggest benefits of integrating Epicor ERP and Epicor AMES is the ability to seamlessly connect across business functions, from supply chain management and manufacturing to quality control. Data from the production floor (AMES) is automatically synchronized into the ERP system, allowing managers to capture detailed information about production status and make timely decisions.
In addition, this integration also helps improve production forecasting and planning, thereby minimizing waste and optimizing resources. For example, production data from AMES can help ERP make more accurate forecasts of raw material demand, thereby helping managers make more reasonable purchasing and inventory plans.
3S Software Co., Ltd.
To successfully upgrade a business, businesses need an experienced and trusted partner. 3S will be a partner accompanying businesses on their path of development, helping businesses become more comprehensive and increase productivity at lower costs. Along with compliance with the Epicor Signature Project Implementation Methodology, it will help businesses increase production efficiency and improve profits at a very reasonable cost. 3S believes that it will always bring the most satisfaction to customers.
The 5 main solutions of 3S include:
Epicor ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning
Epicor MES – Manufacturing Execution System
BPM XSOL Solution – Business Modeling Solution
ECM DOCSTAR Solution – Digital Content Management Software
Epicor CADLINK solution – The solution allows transferring information from CAD drawings such as AutoCAD, Solidworks to Epicor ERP
More references: AMES UPGRADES ENTERPRISE PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
