Uform, a leading manufacturer and distributor of a wide range of doors and accessories for the kitchen, bedroom, and furniture sectors, partnered with the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub (SMDH) to monitor and optimise energy usage across their 20,900 square meter factory.
From a small family business established in 1993, to a market leading manufacturing and distributor, Uform’s continued focus is on putting the customer at the forefront of everything they do, ensuring an unparalleled level of service and a world class buying experience.
Siutation
The project began with an initial energy assessment using Uform’s half-hourly energy data collected over four years and analysed through SMDH’s Energy Insights tool. By uploading Uform’s energy tariffs and shift patterns to the Manufacturing Data Exchange Platform, the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub were able to generate detailed insights and trends in energy usage on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis.
A base load was established, categorising usage beyond the threshold during non-working hours as "phantom load" and exceeding the base load during working hours as "working load."
Solution
Uform was equipped with three user-friendly energy dashboards that enabled the identification and monitoring of baseload, variable load, phantom load, carbon tracking, and energy benchmarking. These features allowed Uform to pinpoint areas for energy reduction and compare the recently increased production levels with associated energy costs.
This analysis helped identify particularly energy-intensive periods and evaluate the effectiveness of various interventions.
Successes
Building on the success of this initial project, Uform engaged with the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub ‘Lighthouse’ partners, Devtank and Output Industries, to explore the potential of real-time monitoring for further enhancing data-driven insights, energy optimisation and resource efficiency within the factory.
Currently, Uform is undertaking a 6-month collaborative project with the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub to monitor machines, processes, and environmental factors in real time. This initiative will enable Uform to make more informed production decisions. The project includes the provision of hardware, software, and technical support through the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub, allowing Uform to integrate IoT and sensor technologies, unlock valuable data insights, optimise processes and evaluate the benefits of these advanced technologies.
Quote from the Company
Uform’s Philip Woolsey said: “Collaborating with the Smart Manufacturing Data Hub has been incredibly beneficial for Uform's Industry 4.0 journey. Over the past five years, we have invested significantly in upgrading and streamlining our facilities and this partnership is the next step in optimising and digitising our factory. Data -driven manufacturing aligns perfectly with our sustainability and net zero strategy, enabling us to further enhance efficiencies and prepare for a digital future.”