“Our objective is to supply easily accessible process information to further enhance our data driven decisions for continuous improvement of our manufacturing plant processes.”
Energizer is a global leader in the dynamic business of providing power solutions with a full portfolio of products including Energizer® brand battery products; Energizer® MAX® premium alkaline; Energizer® Ultimate Lithium; Energizer® Advanced Lithium; Energizer® Recharge® batteries and charging systems; as well as portable flashlights and lanterns.
Energizer has long used statistical process control (SPC) software as part of the quality monitoring program for its manufacturing processes. In recent years, the company decided that significant opportunities for improvement could be gained by implementing a new, more capable, shop-floor SPC system.
Specifically, Energizer anticipated benefits through using dashboards and real time charts at workstations, utilizing custom reports to give engineers and managers an overview of where the process stands and where to assign resources, while potentially integrating the quality system software with other enterprise systems that already existed within the company.
Energizer undertook an extensive investigation and production-floor trial evaluation to find software that would best deliver on these desired benefits. Ultimately, Energizer selected WinSPC as the software system to be implemented for its global operations.
The core function of the WinSPC system at Energizer is to capture key quality check data from every applicable process and product in Energizer’s facilities.
This allows engineers and managers to utilize the most recent information for making effective decisions. WinSPC is being deployed to collect data for a variety of characteristics such as weights and dimensions, for go/no-go decisions, visual checks, and for a host of process parameters. “Our objective is to supply easily accessible process information to further enhance our data driven decisions for continuous improvement of our manufacturing plant processes,” said Denise Reasoner, one of Energizer’s Staff Quality Assurance Engineers who is leading the implementation of the software globally.
A key factor in selecting WinSPC was the ease of use for operators, administrators, engineers and managers. Energizer undertook a hands-on, multi-week trial to test whether operational and administrative tasks were easily accomplished.
Energizer confirmed that with WinSPC it was easy to install the software and setup checks, enter data, switch between checks, analyze data, export data to external systems, create visual displays and generate customized reports. Energizer was also able to extend these advantages and flexibility by using custom written applications in conjunction with WinSPC to simplify historically complex and time-consuming measurement processes.
Energizer also identified the importance of having real time displays of operations available on the factory floor and remotely.
Energizer plans to utilize WinSPC’s alerts to minimize the time it takes for key individuals to be notified and to respond to critical quality events. Being able to view a summarized status of all the controlled parameters will help focus the people who respond on immediate needs instead of spending time in data scanning and basic evaluation.
“Having WinSPC clearly display the data will lead to a better understanding of our day-to-day process performance as well as support root cause analysis, allowing us to quickly put effective corrective actions in place, driving improved product quality and cost,” summarized Reasoner.
Another key need was for Energizer’s Quality Assurance Engineers to have remote access to view and analyze data across multiple lines and processes and among facilities. WinSPC satisfied the requirement to provide current and comparative status for how plant processes were performing by supplying a way to standardize quality practices among locations.
Because WinSPC is being deployed internationally, Energizer will be utilizing WinSPC’s multiple language support and the ability to switch between languages at any location.
About DataNet Quality Systems
DataNet Quality Systems empowers manufacturers to improve products, processes, and profitability through real-time statistical software solutions. The company’s vision is to deliver trusted and capable technology solutions that allow manufacturers to create the highest quality product for the lowest possible cost. DataNet’s flagship product, WinSPC, provides statistical decision-making at the point of production and delivers real-time, actionable information to where it is needed most. With over 2500 installed facilities worldwide and distributors across the globe, DataNet is dedicated to delivering a high level of customer service and support, shop-floor expertise, and professional Continuous Improvement, Six Sigma, and Lean Manufacturing services.