Smarter products and processes from Quantum CAD give Smarta Systems the leading edge in a flourishing market
The Benefits
“You can’t argue with a 33 per cent increase in productivity!” says John (who was naturally reassured by Quantum CAD’s insistence on measurable, quantifiable results). “Quantum CAD has also enabled us to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in scrap, a 71 per cent increase in delivery - and the overall gross added value per person has risen by 20 per cent. Everyone feels good about the changes."
Changes in legislation simultaneously presented Smarta Systems with both threats and opportunities. By working collaboratively with Quantum CAD it has transformed its processes and its competitive propositions…
The client
Smarta Systems Ltd designs and manufactures products and control systems for people with mobility problems. It has a worldwide reputation for its range of products to assist drivers with disabilities, and leads the field with an increasing portfolio of electronic controls and devices to aid independent living. It is BS EN 9001:2000 accredited and supplies hospitals, house builders & refurbishers, social services, schools and care homes.
The Challenge
The market for aids to independent living is burgeoning. Not only has social development increased the focus on specialist help for less mobile people, but also The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 brought it to greater public and commercial attention. It addressed the need for more widespread and consistent compliance with creating working, caring and social environments which are equally accessible by able-bodied people and those with disabilities.
When the Act was revised in 2005 and enforcement grew more prevalent, competition increased yet again from both domestic and foreign markets.
Smarta Systems needed to ensure it was ahead of its game. As John Rees, managing director says: “Although we were strong and competitive, we needed to review and develop our processes, particularly in terms of our technology. We wanted to explore ways to reduce materials costs for existing products while streamlining our production lines to allow us to adapt to future needs and opportunities. There are a lot of good players in this market. We have to continually match and surpass them.”
The Solution
Smarta Systems evaluated a number of possible partners and during the selection process was impressed by Quantum CAD’s holistic approach to manufacturing excellence. “Quantum adopted a very consultative approach to our situation,” says John. “There was clearly a lot to be gained through a wide-reaching review rather than just a simple piecemeal outsourcing solution.”
A number of opportunities were identified and implemented. The manufacturing processes of current products were adapted significantly to allow higher-yield production and a reduction in failure rates across several lines. A project to introduce innovative new prototype models was considered ‘revolutionary’, enabling a far more rapid route to market than previously possible for new products, and fully within increased compliance requirements. Finally, a new supply chain was identified and implemented, giving Smarta Systems a reliable and cost-effective end-to-end process and added reassurance in a rapidly-changing market.
John said: “The Quantum team shared their vast and invaluable technological expertise which has led to huge improvements in current production and even better, more feature-rich models as we move forward.
“They are unerringly professional, always keep us informed of progress and consistently deliver work to the very highest standards. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to others – but not to our competitors!”
“You can’t argue with a 33 per cent increase in productivity!” says John (who was naturally reassured by Quantum CAD’s insistence on measurable, quantifiable results). “Quantum CAD has also enabled us to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in scrap, a 71 per cent increase in delivery - and the overall gross added value per person has risen by 20 per cent. Everyone feels good about the changes."
Changes in legislation simultaneously presented Smarta Systems with both threats and opportunities. By working collaboratively with Quantum CAD it has transformed its processes and its competitive propositions…
The client
Smarta Systems Ltd designs and manufactures products and control systems for people with mobility problems. It has a worldwide reputation for its range of products to assist drivers with disabilities, and leads the field with an increasing portfolio of electronic controls and devices to aid independent living. It is BS EN 9001:2000 accredited and supplies hospitals, house builders & refurbishers, social services, schools and care homes.
The Challenge
The market for aids to independent living is burgeoning. Not only has social development increased the focus on specialist help for less mobile people, but also The Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 brought it to greater public and commercial attention. It addressed the need for more widespread and consistent compliance with creating working, caring and social environments which are equally accessible by able-bodied people and those with disabilities.
When the Act was revised in 2005 and enforcement grew more prevalent, competition increased yet again from both domestic and foreign markets.
Smarta Systems needed to ensure it was ahead of its game. As John Rees, managing director says: “Although we were strong and competitive, we needed to review and develop our processes, particularly in terms of our technology. We wanted to explore ways to reduce materials costs for existing products while streamlining our production lines to allow us to adapt to future needs and opportunities. There are a lot of good players in this market. We have to continually match and surpass them.”
The Solution
Smarta Systems evaluated a number of possible partners and during the selection process was impressed by Quantum CAD’s holistic approach to manufacturing excellence. “Quantum adopted a very consultative approach to our situation,” says John. “There was clearly a lot to be gained through a wide-reaching review rather than just a simple piecemeal outsourcing solution.”
A number of opportunities were identified and implemented. The manufacturing processes of current products were adapted significantly to allow higher-yield production and a reduction in failure rates across several lines. A project to introduce innovative new prototype models was considered ‘revolutionary’, enabling a far more rapid route to market than previously possible for new products, and fully within increased compliance requirements. Finally, a new supply chain was identified and implemented, giving Smarta Systems a reliable and cost-effective end-to-end process and added reassurance in a rapidly-changing market.
John said: “The Quantum team shared their vast and invaluable technological expertise which has led to huge improvements in current production and even better, more feature-rich models as we move forward.
“They are unerringly professional, always keep us informed of progress and consistently deliver work to the very highest standards. I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending them to others – but not to our competitors!”