“With POMS MES we were able to increase dispensing productivity by 15 to 20 percent in just a few weeks through improved process performance and workflow efficiency. We now have the tools and confidence through more accurate information to make better decisions on dispensing output.”
Keith Malin, Manager, Process Engineering Services, Beiersdorf, Inc.
Beiersdorf (BDF), Inc. turned to Honeywell’s POMS® manufacturing execution system (MES) to help support business growth objectives and compliance needs at its Connecticut facility. POMS MES is a proven system that controls and tracks all aspects of production, enforces good manufacturing practices to ensure predictable product quality, and provides a complete manufacturing history for regulatory compliance.
With the utilization of the dispensing functionality of POMS MES, BDF realized the following benefits:
Established in 1880 in Hamburg, Germany by pharmacist Carl Paul Beiersdorf, BDF has come a long way from making adhesive bandages to creating several high-quality skin care and beauty products. Today, BDF is a global company with over 150 affiliates and over 16,000 employees worldwide. Beiersdorf manufactures leading beauty and skin care products.
BDF produces some of the world’s best known brands for skin and beauty care such as Labello, NIVEA, Eucerin, FUTURO, Hansaplast/Elastoplast and Florena.
BDF ‘s competitive advantage is its 120 years of expertise in skin research, 100 years of know-how in emulsion technology and 120 years of experience in plaster development.
Beiersdorf manufactures leading beauty and skin care products.
When BDF started to work on improving its dispensing operations, it was confronted with efficiency issues, errors in about 10 percent of the batches and delays in information relay, resulting in difficulties in prioritization and decision-making.
BDF decided to team up with Honeywell to explore a solution that would help it meet its targets. “We feel that having Honeywell as a solution partner will help our efforts as Beiersdorf’s business continues to grow and CFR 21 Part 11 compliance issues for our product lines become more prevalent,” said Keith Malin, Manager, Process Engineering Services, Beiersdorf, Inc.
BDF was confident that POMS MES, coupled with the expertise, experience and professionalism of the Honeywell team, would prove to be the best solution.
BDF integrated POMS MES into the dispensing operations at its South Norwalk production center. The MES solution went live in January 2006 and within weeks, significant production improvements were realized. The on-time deployment helped BDF improve productivity within two weeks and shortly thereafter increase productivity by 15-20 percent. BDF also realized a 30 percent improvement in efficiency of employee workflow, freeing up staff to move to higher priority tasks.
With POMS MES, BDF has been able to better manage dispensing output and enforcement of operating practices, which has allowed products to be made right the first time (fewer batch errors). POMS MES enables plant staff to better track and record the execution of manual and automated steps, and use electronic batch records (BDF slotted to implement in early 2007) which eliminates documentation errors. Dispensing productivity has improved by 15-20 percent and BDF is very satisfied with their return on investment.With support from the Honeywell team, the operators, supervisors and engineers at BDF were able to learn quickly how to effectively use the software and ensure maximum returns.
“We are very satisfied with the Honeywell team that worked with us--from start to finish they have been very professional and helpful. The project management was strong and meticulous,” said Malin. “Honeywell was able to deliver on time and on budget.”
Following the success of POMS MES, BDF is working towards full electronic batch records implementation and the installation of Honeywell’s TotalPlant Batch, Uniformance® PHD and Honeywell’s Experion® Process Knowledge System (PKS) at its Connecticut facility. BDF’s South Norwalk facility now has the foundation to move to a more complete paperless workflow environment, ultimately supporting its global supply chain optimization efforts. The integrated POMS MES and Experion solution will help BDF deliver its products and introduce innovations better, faster and more efficiently.