Vehicle cover maker Covercraft to deploy more Eton 4000 system
04 Oct '05
3 min read
Eton Systems workshop
At first I was reluctant due to what they perceived as a high price tag. But they decided that they needed to strategically invest in speeding work through the factory, tracking work-in-process, and achieving the flexibility to manufacture different items at the same time.
Lichtmann added that after experiencing the cost, time, and inventory reduction benefits of the first system, Covercraft immediately decided to equip a new plant in Wichita Falls, TX in 2000. When they decided to look for another plant, their first call was to Eton, Even though they didn't even have the facility yet, they could not imagine opening it without Eton.
Currently underway, the latest addition at Wichita Falls will increase the number of workstations to 32. A third loading station, which will be integrated with one of Covercraft's single-ply cutting machines, is being added to load parts directly from the cutter into the production system.
A new automated sorting and handling system will also be used to process components for silk-screen printing such as logos on car covers. This innovation will deliver products to a sorting area where products with like logo types can first be automatically batched for more efficient processing.
Sweden based Eton Systems AB is the innovator and world's leading supplier of the Unit Production System (UPS), the renowned productivity and management system developed specifically for use in the sewn-products industries. Eton's UPS automates material flow through the production process and minimizes material handling for each operation throughout the manufacturing process.
Vehicle covers marketer Covercraft was opened for business by Bob Lichtmann in Southern California's San Fernando Valley. At that time, it was just a 2-man operation, manufacturing custom-patterned car covers for street rods, the import sports car market and aftermarket automotive parts suppliers.
marketing@alchempro.com
