INSIGHT
Smart thinking Always at the forefront of innovation, Raynor Foods’ S3 data project provides a constantly updated record of every event in the manufacturing process. MODERN TOOLS Raynor Foods is way more than a sandwich manufacturer. A family business established in Essex in 1988, it became an Employee Owned Trust in October 2023 – and has grown from a small local operator to £38m+ turnover, making over 40 million sandwiches, wraps, rolls and salads annually. But its latest technical tour de force demonstrates an unmatched desire to improve the sector, while also rewarding staff. The ‘Smart People + Smart Process = Smart Factory’ (S3) project is designed to drive significant carbon reduction in manufacturing by integrating innovative digital technologies and fostering workforce engagement. “S3 encourages employees to focus on KPIs and achieving them by rewarding positive outcomes,” said Tom Hollands, innovation and technical director at Raynor Foods.
“This performance-driven, gamified model appeals particularly to younger generations, increases efficiency, reduces waste and minimises the consumption of resources like energy, water and gas, measured in real time. “A standout benefit is the ability to enhance health and safety through real-time location systems (RTLS), which monitor people and assets. This drives a higher level of engagement by leveraging modern tools like gamification, reducing operator churn, along with its associated costs.” MANAGEMENT BY EXCEPTION Large businesses, especially food manufacturers, need to comply with regulations requiring CO2e measurement – and S3 provides the technology to measure and reduce CO2e emissions, aligning with key business drivers in the UK. “The project’s ability to offer comprehensive insights through data analysis helps companies cut costs and waste, while maintaining stable systems that require minimal maintenance,” continued Hollands. “S3 also simplifies onboarding and offboarding processes, automates clock-in and clock-out procedures, and enhances food safety by controlling the internal chill chain. The use of management by exception, with push notifications and detailed data analysis, ensures that any issues
can be addressed quickly, driving both operational efficiency and sustainability in one cohesive system. “In terms of S3 progression, we are approaching the final stages, with the last technical elements being refinement, fully integrating the systems into the business to operate as a standalone, streamlined platform. “At this point, all the technology groundwork has been laid and we want to ensure seamless functionality across the organisation. The next milestone is the National Demonstrator event, on the week commencing Nov 25. This will serve as the official unveiling, providing an opportunity for key stakeholders to experience operation first-hand, its benefits, plus its potential to revolutionise energy efficiency, emissions control and workforce engagement in manufacturing environments. “It marks a critical turning point, where we not only showcase the project’s achievements but pave the way for wider industry adoption.” TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE Ambition is a cornerstone of the Raynor approach, with the S3 focus on refining the technology and evolving some of the user interfaces. “We’ve been very pleased with the progress of the project and have had excellent feedback from colleagues about the game! We are knee-deep
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