NLMK Lipetsk, the flagship site of NLMK Group, has embarked on piloting an automated production-scheduling system. The system is integrated into business processes at all stages of production and sales planning. The key goals of the project are to optimize the production load and to grow output, and to improve the quality of customer service.
When a new order comes in from a customer, the system automatically determines its feasibility, and calculates the lead-time based on the current order book and capacity utilization rates, the optimal schedule and other factors. The manufactured products will be delivered to the customer just in time.
Vyacheslav Vorotnikov, NLMK Lipetsk Managing Director, said: “The introduction of a production-scheduling system is a combination of IT optimizers and a transformation of business processes encompassing our sales, planning, production, logistics and maintenance services. The implemented solution is based on the best available planning practices for the sector. It will enable us to ensure JIT deliveries and to boost out clients’ competitive edge, and to increase our output through debottlenecking our process chain.”
The total investment in the system exceeds 1 billion rubles. The system is planned for launch in Q2. (NLMK/Ukrainian metal)