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ePaper created 2014-11-25, 15:27:45 | version 1.33.01
| 9 Kick-off for Roto Lean at FTR Two Roto Lean team experts recollect the start of their cooperation with FTR: Andreas Eberts, Head of Lean Management at Roto, managed the reliable investment consulting for the timber window production area, the optimisation of material flows and the reduction of produc- tion buffers in the production area as well as the adaptation of processes, logistics and workplace layout to the new procedures. “At the time, we had to work together to en- sure the successful integration of new machinery into the operating processes following the investment”, he recalls. The specific objectives: Optimise the production processes with single-piece production, counter bottlenecks in the surface treatment area, reduce processing times and increase throughput. Based on a detailed situation analysis, they then developed, discussed and implemented the nec- essary measures, says Lean Manager Matthias Bellstedt, who was also involved in the project. Ultimately, everything therefore ran smoothly. The biggest problem was managing the project during ‘normal everyday business’, stresses Gottfried Stiebitz, Foreman in the FTR Timber Window Production. Like his boss, in hindsight, he considers a competent, external contact to be a real benefit in comprehensive change processes. “I found it great to be able to search for opportunities for improvement together with specialists from Roto Lean. It protects you against ‘tunnel vision’.” Top marks for the comprehensive achievement of the objectives At the end it was clear: machinery successfully integrated, processes noticeably streamlined and optimised, produc- tion volumes and capacities significantly increased, cost structure improved and value chain enhanced. No wonder that the pros at FTR gave Roto Lean a score of ‘Very good’ at the end of it. Installation videos become a ‘click success’ on roto-frank.com Interactive and easy to follow ■■ New at Roto The installation videos presented in the July issue of Roto Inside have quickly developed into genuine ‘public favourites’. The click numbers for the training videos produced by Roto have exceeded all expectations. “A reason for this is certainly the interactive approach taken by the videos”, says Roto Marketing Manager Udo Pauly with conviction. “Anyone can directly select the precise installation sequence that is of interest to him/her and no longer necessarily has to watch the entire video.” This user-friendly interactivity is also displayed by the latest installation video at www.roto-frank.com/de/roto-glas-tec, which shows the correct installation of glazing spacer-blocks. The entire video lasts for just over two minutes. But window pros who are only looking to refresh their knowledge in one or two processing steps won’t even need to spend this amount of time. A navigation bar on the left side of the screen lets you jump to an installation sequence, such as ‘Clamp glazing rebate insert’, with a single click. Similar to the && And you can access the new video on installing glazing spacer-blocks here: www.roto-frank.com/en/roto-glas-tec/video previously produced installation videos, such as for the Roto AL 540 or Roto AL Designo aluminium systems, work- ing with the glazing spacer-blocks was filmed so as to be virtually self-explan- atory. Commentary is not required for the easy-to-follow installation steps, so the videos can be used internationally, such as for employee training sessions. FTR general manager Thomas Rösler (left) re- lies on Roto. Lean Man- ager Matthias Bellstedt is also certainly one of the reasons for this. In 1990, the qualified glazier Thomas Rösler founded Fenster- und Türenwerk Rösler, FTR, in Schirgiswalde, Saxony. About 25,000 timber and PVC windows and doors leave the company’s modern production department every year. Guaranteed technological edge Fenster- und Türenwerk Rösler ■■ Timber PVC Fenster- und Türenwerk Rösler has been working together with Roto for 23 years and since 2006 also together with specialists from the Roto Lean service team. As a result, their collaborative partnership now goes well beyond joint product development. “A win-win customer/supplier relationship”, says company founder Thomas Rösler. He talked to Roto Inside about his experiences with the six Roto Lean modules and the associated consulting. Fenster- und Türenwerk Rösler (FTR) is one of the younger compa- nies in the industry. Founded in 1990 in Schirgiswalde, Saxony, it currently has about 170 employees and sales of about 18 million euros per annum. About ninety percent of its orders come from the property sector. The remaining ten percent are contributed by dealers and private customers. The company’s long list of refer- ences primarily shows two things: the company’s strengths are new housing projects and properties with fifty or more apartment units. Their sales network extends across Germany: Munich, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Mainz, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Hamburg – the pro with ‘a passion for windows and doors’ can justifiably claim to operate nationwide. Planning – Production – Installation Thomas Rösler puts the reasons for this success down to the following: “We offer our customers a complete package under one roof. From technical consulting and planning through to the production of PVC and timber window and door elements as well as professional installation.” Despite an overall positive market assessment, the entrepreneur is far from being overly optimistic. The constantly rising cost pressures are causing him concern. So the goal of keeping production as cost-efficient as possible is constantly on the agenda. “At the same time the trend is heading towards larger and heavier elements. And the demands for heat and sound insulation and burglary protection also continue to rise”, he emphasizes, and adds: “Apart from productive technology, we also increasingly need more flexible processes and newer and more powerful machines.” Investment in the future According to Rösler, this is the reason why significant funds were once again spent in the past two years on introducing new window models, machinery and in organising the PVC and timber window production process. In particular, modernisation in the PVC area is currently running at full speed. “But, without the right industrial partner, the permanent adaptation to the market require- ments would still be impossible”, concedes Thomas Rösler. When selecting partners, he is primarily focused on product quality, but also on a high rate of deliverability and a good support service. “All of these are firmly linked with the Roto name.” For FTR, Roto is a partner who has been there from the word go, since the start of production in 1991. Roto NT has also been a Reports on positive re- sults with good humour: Gottfried Stiebitz. The foreman at the FTR tim- ber window production praises the know-how of the experts from the Roto Lean team. permanent part of the production process since its introduction in 1999. The hinge-sides E5, K, Designo and Power Hinge are used depending on the respective project requirements. The Roto Patio Z Tilt& Slide range, the Roto Patio Fold Fold&Slide innovation and the Roto Safe multi-point locking range are also used in FTR models. Know-how creates added value Moreover, Thomas Rösler also believes that the services provided by his partner Roto are “almost just as important” as good prod- ucts: “We have now completed a number of certification tests at the Roto International Technology Center (Roto ITC) in Leinfelden. These tests checked for air permeability compliance with DIN EN 1026/12207, water tightness compliance with DIN EN 1027/12208 and security in various RC classes. We also performed tests in accordance with the TBDK provisions.” According to him, the only service that provides even greater added value than the Roto ITC is the Roto Lean consulting and service package: “It is a truly unique support service.” And Thomas Rösler knows what he is talking about: FTR is now work- ing together with the consultants from the Roto Lean team for the fourth time. Saxon persistence In short, the history of cooperation reads as follows: 2006 – In- vestment consulting and initial manufacturing optimisation project in PVC window production. 2010 – Investment consulting for new timber production. 2011 to 2012 – Second optimisation project in timber window production. 2013 – Start of the third optimisation project in the PVC sector. Thomas Rösler is convinced: “The last optimisation leads into the next optimisation.” He wants to make sure that FTR customers benefit from progressive, efficient and thus competitive production technologies and procedures in the future. So is the partnership with Roto likely to continue? “Never change a winning team”, chuckles Thomas Rösler. And what is he looking for from Roto in the future? “The key thing is that we constantly work together on technological progress. With functional and secure system solutions and comprehen- sive service, I essentially only expect what Roto has already stated as its mission – ‘comprehensive cooperation, close to the customer’.”