VBG GROUP invests for quality and delivery capability

VBG GROUP chooses to locate  new production at home in Sweden  – a possibility thanks to major invest- ments in modularisation and new  production systems! OVER 6.3 MILLION EUROS INVESTED FOR EVEN HIGHER QUALITY In conjunction with the modularisation of large sections of the production programme the VBG GROUP has invested over  3.6 million Euros in the last few years in a completely new and very flexible production plant in Vänersborg, which has  significantly increased capacity and enhanced quality without needing new staff.

The advanced machinery has automatic wear compensation and fully automated flows between the production cells. Each cell delivers finished components that  can go directly to assembly, or on to the advanced surface treatment plant that has already been in operation for several years – yet another investment in quality for just over SEK 2.6 million.

                    

‘‘The modular production system and our unique corrosion protection provide our customers with even higher and more consistent quality than it has ever been possible to achieve before,” explains Sten Söderros at VBG GROUP. MORE RELIABLE DELIVERIES AND HIGHER CAPACITY As opposed to many others VBG GROUP has chosen to keep a whole month’s consumption of all module components in stock, instead of having it ‘in transit’. This contingency is an important success factor, continues Sten Söderros: ‘‘Delivery and reliability are decisive in our industry.

Sten Söderros, VBG GROUP

Downtimes cost our customers large amounts of money, but by doing it like this we can guarantee that we can always deliver. We cut down on our tied-up capital through efficient production and by production flows that are induced and controlled by customer orders instead – we build what the customer orders.

IN-HOUSE MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS
VBG GROUP has conducted an extensive survey of costs for the manufacturing of coupling components in several  different countries. In many cases it has proved to be more beneficial in an overall perspective to produce at home.      ‘‘It’s easy to forget peripheral costs for travel, administration, logistics and extra quality control checks when you out-source your production to subcontractors a long way away. The high degree of automation, quality and delivery reliability  guaranteed by our new plant means it’s more profitable for us have in-house manufacturing in Vänersborg. The new  Vänersborg plant has become so efficient that we can also deliver to several of the European subsidiaries in the VBG GROUP, who are now getting some of their key components from us in Sweden”, continues Sten Söderros.

SAFER AND BETTER QUALIFIED JOBS
”We have also been able to eliminate more simple work tasks like picking, lifting and moving things, and to replace them with qualified jobs. Even if there are no more of us than before, the jobs our employees do are both safer and more stimulating,” concludes Sten Söderros.

For further information, please contact: Sten Söderros, VBG GROUP TRUCK EQUIPMENT AB, tel. +46 (0)521-27 77 00.