**Glenamaddy**: Rockwell Automation’s Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform™ is helping West-Bake Ltd., an Irish baked-goods manufacturer, digitise operations. This transition from paper-based records aims to improve inventory control and efficiency as production capacity increases to meet rising demand across Europe.
Rockwell Automation has announced that West-Bake Ltd., an Irish baked-goods manufacturer, has implemented the Plex Smart Manufacturing Platform™ to manage its expanding operations effectively. The company is based in Glenamaddy, County Galway, where it operates a modern 44,000 square foot bakery dedicated to producing a variety of baked goods, including muffins, cookies, and cakes, for customers across Europe.
The adoption of the Plex platform is part of West-Bake’s effort to transition from traditional paper-based records towards a robust digital management system. This move aims to enhance inventory and quality control processes as the company’s production capacity increases to meet growing demand. Åsa Arvidsson, regional vice president for the central, east, and north regions at Rockwell Automation, commented, “Our Plex solution is ideal for companies with big digital aspirations looking to optimise and future proof their operations. Our consultative approach at West-Bake helped identify operational improvements, and from there we were able to tailor and deliver a solution that offered the best possible control, management, insights, and return on investment.”
Initially, West-Bake sought an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution. However, following a comprehensive project-requirement capture and a walkthrough of the bakery by Rockwell Automation’s team, it became evident that implementing the Plex manufacturing execution system (MES) and quality management system (QMS) would have a more substantial positive impact on the business. The anticipated return on investment from the MES is expected to cover the costs associated with the ERP investment, which has been further supported by the implementation of the QMS.
PJ Shanks, IT manager at West-Bake, expressed optimism regarding the digital transformation. “By digitalising our inventory and quality records, we anticipate significant time, effort and cost savings,” he stated. The new system is expected to provide more accurate records and streamline supply chain and inventory management processes. Moreover, the ‘train the trainer’ approach that Plex offers will enable West-Bake’s team to independently configure the system for future product lines, new recipes, and additional manufacturing processes. With these integrated systems, relevant data generated throughout operations will be readily accessible in real-time to all internal stakeholders, facilitating improved decision-making and efficiency.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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