Sales Community
Measures taken to minimize bag breakages
Measures against bag breakages Holcim cement is packed in two-ply bags that
have
complying
been
manufactured
with
the
relevant
international standards to withstand rough handling conditions (i.e., unitized, manual). In order to minimize bag breakages during
handling,
our
company
continuously takes various measures at different stages, namely: manufacturing of bags, transport of empty bags to plants, handling and storing of bags of cement at packing plants, transport of
lorries with damaged beds and transport
The belt conveyor and the rotating
bags of cement to warehouses and
of bags in wet weather in uncovered
mechanical devices were modified and
Distributors, and handling and storing of
lorries). Meanwhile, every month, a third
the belt conveyor system and the other
bags of cement at warehouses and
party auditor audits the systems and
related machinery are maintained at the
businesses of our Distributors and
processes of the bag manufacturer and
ideal mechanical condition.
Dealers. In order to ensure preventive
provides
measures and swift and effective
improvements.
recommendations
for
we have set up a Quality Circle on bag
We ensure an extended curing period for
Puttalam packing plant, modifications
breakage reduction. The team comprises
bags to impart an additional strength to
were carried out in order to reduce the
personnel from thee Divisions, namely
the bags. We receive from the
dropping height from the spout to the
Logistics & Imports, Procurement and
manufacturer bags that have undergone
first conveyor, to reduce the deflection
Marketing & Sales.
3 weeks of curing, but we cure them
of bags when running on the belt
further for 2 to 3 weeks, achieving in the
conveyor and to lower effects of cleaning
Bags to pack Holcim cement is
end a total curing period of 5 to 6 weeks.
on bag breakages. Meanwhile, at Ruhunu
manufactured out of quality craft paper
After the roller press project, the
plant the mouth of the bag was optimized
under strict quality control measures,
temperature of cement that comes for
to avoid the bag breakages.
and to an optimum size for each type of
packing reduced by around 30%, lowering
cement based on their particle fineness.
the likelihood of bag breakages due to
At our warehouses, stacking is limited to
The Quality Circle team members visit
thermal reasons.
a maximum height ten bags in order to prevent breakages due to excessive
the bag manufacturer’s factory in order
28
At Puttalam plant, the bag storage area was renovated and enlarged. At the
remedial action against bag breakages,
to closely monitor the quality control
At both Puttalam and Ruhunu plants, we
pressure on bags while adopting the
during bag manufacturing, and also
adopt the “first-in, first-out” (FIFO)
“first-in, first-out” formula. Meanwhile,
provide the manufacturer with advice to
formula so that bags do not “grow old”.
continuous skills development of the
prevent damage during transport of new
Moreover, at both packing plants, we
loaders is carried out on correct handling
bags
(e.g.,
have carried out several improvements
of bags.
unprofessional practices include use of
in order to minimize the bag breakages.
to
packing
Holcim Voice 3/06
plants