Together towards a smarter production

Nexans Sweden is continuing its journey towards more data-driven production, with better resource utilisation and less process scrap. Thanks to an initiative driven by our employees, we can reduce variations in material consumption and use our resources more efficiently.

Manufacturing processes always generate a certain amount of waste, for example during machine start-up or changeovers. However, by working more systematically with data, routines and processes, it is possible to reduce both process scrap and the variations in material consumption that can arise between different types of products or production conditions. This is precisely what the new initiative addresses: Understanding, visualising and improving material flows so that resources are used optimally and variations are identified at an early stage.

Industry 4.0 as an enabler
An important part of this work is applying the principles of Industry 4.0. This includes using more reliable, near-real-time data to gain better insight into where deviations occur and how processes can be optimised.

Data helps us move from manual monitoring to a more predictive and proactive way of working, in which digital tools support both analysis and decision-making, enabling improvements to be implemented faster and with greater precision.

Facts, standards and continuous improvement 
Ida Ignell, who has a background as an operator, now leads the initiative full-time. Together with colleagues from several functions, she is working to integrate efforts to reduce scrap and material variation into daily improvement work, strengthen data-driven management with reliable information that enables more accurate decisions, and create robust standards and working methods that are both practical for production in Grimsås and aligned with the Group’s guidelines.

The goal is clear: the right amount of resources from the outset, stable processes, and production that is both efficient and resource-smart.

Employees driving development
Last year, Ida took part in MyTrainee – Nexans’ internal training and development programme. Having completed the programme, she now has the opportunity to lead one of Nexans’ initiatives aimed at reducing process scrap, improving resource efficiency and enhancing process control.

  – It is challenging, but above all it is very rewarding to work with colleagues from different parts of the organisation and contribute to real change, says Ida Ignell.

Engagement and competitiveness
By taking a more data-driven and structured approach to material flows, the initiative creates better conditions for reducing process scrap and increasing resource efficiency. It improves cost control, delivers even more consistent product quality and strengthens competitiveness.

For customers, this means even more stable processes, greater predictability and a partner that actively pursues continuous improvement in line with the industrial standards of the future.

  –  The driving force comes from our committed employees and effective cross-functional teams. When we improve how we use our resources, it has an impact on several levels at once – both for us and for our customers, says Jenny Nyström, Sustainability Manager at Nexans.