Bangkok--27 Feb--Core & Peak
Leading automotive manufacturer standardizes on Intermec mobile computer 730 and Intermec scanner VT1800
Thai Summit Auto Parts Industry Co., Ltd., one of the major part manufacturers in Thailand for the automotive, motorcycle, electrical appliance and agricultural engine industries, has standardized its bar code-based tracking system for raw materials and finished goods with Intermec mobile computer model 730 and Intermec scanner model VT1800.
With its rapidly expanding business, the Thai Summit Group needed an efficient tracking system to manage inventory and raw materials with complete visibility. Prior to implementing the Intermec bar code system, Thai Summit Group relied on its employees to track and collect data manually, as high as 95 percent of the work.
From manual to digital
After many rounds of reviews, Thai Summit Group felt confident enough to pilot the Intermec bar code system. The trial was successful for the company and the employees. The Intermec bar code system has rectified many shop floor problems (e.g. mistakes when entering data manually) and most importantly, helped employees increase productivity and in turn, improved the speed of operations.
The Group implemented two Intermec bar code projects, namely the Finished Goods Bar code project and the Raw Material Bar code project. Both projects utilize Intermec’s 730 mobile computer and VT1800 scanner.
The bar code projects help keep track of every transaction in the factory involving the flow of raw materials which can be divided into three parts, including input process, work-in-process and output process. Currently, the Finished Goods Bar code project, which keeps track of the output process for finished products, and the Raw Material Bar code project, which keeps track of the input process for incoming raw materials from over 300 suppliers, have both been successfully implemented. The work-in-process project is still in the phase of process design and defining controlling points.
The Finished Goods Bar code project was the first phase of development and implementation for the Intermec bar code system because the value of the output process or finished goods is ranked the highest above all other processes. The products are stationed at inventory stores divided into seven areas in accordance to the product types or OEM customers, such as Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Toyota or Nissan. These stores use the bar code reader in the Intermec 730 mobile computer to handle incoming and outgoing flows of materials from the inventory. The handheld scanner reads the bar-coded tags on the production division containers and transmits data wirelessly to the database server, which updates the centralized ERP system. Product cards are installed on users’ terminals and scanned with the VT1800.
The Raw Material Bar code project was then implemented to track the incoming raw materials from over 300 suppliers. The Group uses the Intermec VT1800 to scan bar codes shown in delivery bar code sheets attached to suppliers’ tax invoices for every shipment, to affirm the data in populated in previous purchase orders submitted by the Group’s procurement division.
“We needed the bar code readers to be highly durable and resistant to damage, that can tolerate our tough factory environment. For all the competing offerings we have evaluated and researched, Intermec can fulfill our demanding requirements with user-friendly and convenient products. Its Mobile Computer 730 is ideal for non-portable products and urgent shipments, while its Scanner VT1800 is ideal for reading the bar codes in bar code delivery sheets,” said Mr. Preecha Phuasuthi, Department Manager, ERP Project, Thai Summit Auto Parts Industry Co., Ltd. “The Intermec bar code readers help us minimize human errors, enhance data integrity and accuracy, while speeding up our work processes. In fact, if the data checking program is properly designed, we can even skip the Visual Check process to just scanning by automated programs.”
Thai Summit Auto Parts is already planning to expand the bar code system to 10 companies of Thai Summit Group in the near future.
About Intermec
Intermec Inc. (NYSE:IN) develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include RFID, mobile computing and data collection systems, bar code printers and label media. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations. For more information about Intermec, visit www.intermec.com
About Thai Summit Auto Parts
Thai Summit Auto Parts Industry Co., Ltd. and group of companies are one of the major part manufacturers in Thailand for the automotive, motorcycle, electrical appliance and agricultural engine industries.
With the leadership of President Pattana Juangroongruangkit, Thai Summit Group grew continuously since its establishment on March 16, 1977. Today, the group comprises of 30 companies in parts manufacturing, including press parts, assembly parts, plastic injection parts, plastic blow molding parts, aluminum die-casting, wiring harness, chassis, stamping dies, assembly jigs and tooling. The group has production facilities in Samutprakarn, Laem Chabang, Rayong, Ayudhya, Nakornnayok and Malaysia. Total sales of the group exceeds 20,000 Million Baht for 2005. Thai Summit Auto Parts Industry has sales of 6,000 Million baht for 2005 with a current staff strength of 4,000 employees.