Control Concepts for Washers The control concept for washers has been expanded with the new B-Touch platform. This new platform has a modern graphical user interface (GUI) which is now used in all Belimed Life Science systems. The novel control philosophy has created a standardized interface with a simplified connection to higher-level control systems via SCADA links as well as meeting the new requirements for Industry 4.0 readiness. This represents a major component of customers’ data integrity requirements. An intuitively managed user interface ensures simple operability and a lower error incidence rate. The necessary training costs for new and future operators are also lower as a result. Shared modular use for sterilizers and washers from the Belimed Life Science AG program reduces spare parts stock levels while increasing system availability. First Washers from the Grosuplje Site The relocation of washer activities from the Mühldorf site (Germany) to Sulgen (Switzerland) and Grosuplje (Slovenia) was completed as planned. In 2019, investments were made in production expansion, assembly, and the certification of cleaning systems in order to further streamline process lead times. The first systems to be designed in Sulgen and manufactured in Grosuplje were delivered to customers in 2019. Successful ERP Rollout On April 1, 2019, the Life Science Solutions Business Unit successfully rolled out a new ERP system without any significant problems. The Business Unit thus boasts a modern IT infrastructure.
Broader Certification and Validation Requirements In response to customers’ calls for stricter certification and validation of systems, the decision to set up installation and commissioning teams in Sulgen and Grosuplje marked a further milestone in efforts to complete challenging customer projects on time and to the required quality standards. Service The large stock of systems from Belimed Life Science AG installed across the globe over a period of more than 40 years is now leading to increased demand for conversions and retrofits of systems still in operation. In order to meet this demand, Belimed Life Science has set up a specialized service department that focuses on upgrades and retrofits. This team is charged with meeting increased demand for system availability. A growing secured service environment also promotes the sale of new systems. Given the strong demand for the service offering, this area is expected to make a positive contribution to EBIT as early as 2020. Outlook Product modularization will continue and be concluded in 2020. This will enable customer projects to be processed more efficiently in future and with less project risk. Engineering and manufacturing process upgrades should cut general project lead times by around 20 %. Additional resour ces in Slovenia are to be built up in order to relieve the cost structure. A further increase in the service offering to include new products such as enhanced customer support for system and process certification and validation will be a mainstay of the future direction of the Life Science Solutions Business Area.
Metall Zug Group Annual Report 2019
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