Peikko
Pinja’s production data collection and control system supports decision-making and investments in Peikko Group’s international factory environment.
Pinja’s production data collection and control system supports decision-making and investments in Peikko Group’s international factory environment.
Founded in a barn in Lahti in 1965, the steel manufacturer has grown in just over 50 years to Peikko Group, an international company. Today, it operates in more than 30 countries in Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East.
Peikko has been using Pinja’s machine monitoring since 2007. That’s when Machine Track was deployed at the Finnish factories in Lahti, and is now being upgraded in phases to the newer production data collection and control system Gema. Currently, Peikko has certified production in 12 countries, with production facilities operating quite independently around the world.
Peikko has been using Pinja’s machine monitoring since 2007. At that time, Machine Track was introduced, which is now being gradually upgraded to the newer production data collection and control system Gema.
Following positive experiences, all Peikko’s factories will be upgraded to Gema during 2022.
Digitalized production data is an excellent tool that will help to make better and more dependable decisions in the future, both in daily management and in making investments.
Gema produces reliable data that are available to all operational staff and their managers on a daily basis.
Over the years, Peikko’s activities have expanded, and the needs for further development have grown. According to Markku Koponen, who works as a sourcing director at Peikko Group, the goal is to be a pioneer in the industry.
– The construction sector is relatively conservative, and change is often slow. At Peikko, we want to be visionary trailblazers, because our innovative products really make building easier, faster and safer.
According to Toni Naukkarinen, CTO, the same aspiration is also evident at the operational level, where production is fine-tuned to meet customer expectations and needs. This work will be supported by Pinja’s Gema system.
– We constantly aim to get a better and more real-time picture of the entire production, globally. Digitalized production data is an excellent tool that will help us make better and more dependable decisions in the future, both in daily management and in making investments.
Gema has been tested in practical use at the factory in Russia during 2021, where some of Peikko’s key production lines are located. Testing in a real factory environment was a success, and it has convinced experts in Finland and at local level.
The system evaluations placed great emphasis on the usability of Gema. For example, monitoring the status of a machine or line and the ability to customize the reason codes for associated anomalies helps escalate usage to the operational level. According to Naukkarinen, usability is particularly important for people working in production. If the system is perceived as difficult or unclear, even the best system is not used, which leads to losing out on potential benefits.
– In our experience in Russia, Gema has produced reliable data that are available to all operational staff and their managers on a daily basis.
According to Naukkarinen, this gives operators clarity in their daily work and support to managers in their decision-making. The system’s reports make the data available in an understandable and visual format, reducing the uncertainty resulting from the interpretation of observations. At the same time, the number of incorrect conclusions is reduced and confidence in the usefulness of the system is increased.
Following positive experiences, all Peikko’s factories will be upgraded to Gema. In addition, new factories will be included in the monitoring during 2022.
– Consistency is important to us. We ourselves use the term One Peikko, which I think is a great reflection of our culture and means in practice that, regardless of the place or person, the same values are reflected throughout our business. We have harmonized our quality systems and the location and method of production. This helps us operate in an international environment and share best practices – Koponen concludes.
Sharing best practices is important, especially in a multi-plant environment. In practice, this means sharing experience and practices, and learning together. This is a challenging goal that requires effective cooperation between people. The task is facilitated by a low organizational structure and strong culture of collaboration. Communication between factories is generally fast and open.
– If differences are found in the indicators between factories, the reasons can be discussed together, as the monitoring will be consistent. The system provides reliable data on availability, production volumes, utilization rates and manufacturing speeds, among other things.
Naukkarinen and Koponen both agree that the pursuit of production efficiency will become even more important in the future. Alongside the recruitment of competent and motivated staff, Peikko sees the increase in automation as an opportunity for the future.
The investments are large, and it is therefore important that they help achieve the production targets set and thus meet the expectations of Peikko’s customers. Gema plays an important role in verifying the success of investments.
In the future, the lead-time, i.e. the time it takes to manufacture a product and deliver it to customers, will also become even more important. According to Naukkarinen, it is already noticeable that a customer’s need can evolve quickly, and the factories must be able to meet that need. This places even higher expectations on production and its development.
Naukkarinen and Koponen thank Pinja for their professional support in development projects and good customer service spirit.
– It’s rewarding to work together when the other party understands the way we do things. This kind of a group structure has its own challenges and therefore, for example, the implementation of large acquisitions requires collaboration both internally and with a partner. Each case is different, and the opportunities and challenges are unique. We feel that we are listened to and that our needs are taken into account.
Pictures © Peikko Group.
Gema by Pinja is an easy and cost-effective way to develop production according to Lean principles.