Fan Housings
Case Study:
Lamplas – Improving GRP Fan Moulding Supply for Elta UK.
Lamplas has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver high-quality GRP components efficiently and reliably.
When Elta UK, a leading manufacturer of ventilation and air movement solutions, faced challenges with their existing supplier of GRP fan mouldings, they turned to Lamplas for a solution.
The issues included poor product quality, long lead times, and inconsistent deliveries that disrupted operations.
Lamplas successfully secured the contract by offering superior manufacturing processes and supply chain reliability, ensuring a steady and high-quality supply of over 20 GRP fan mouldings.
Challenge: Resolving Supply and Quality Issues
Elta UK faced several critical challenges with their previous supplier:
- Poor Quality: The mouldings received were substandard, impacting product performance and customer satisfaction.
- Slow Lead Times: Delayed shipment containers created bottlenecks in production schedules.
- Inconsistent Deliveries: Containers often arrived missing essential components, further disrupting operations.
Lamplas needed to address these issues while ensuring an efficient transition and maintaining a steady supply of over 20 distinct fan moulding designs.
Solution: Leveraging VPI and Strategic Manufacturing
Lamplas proposed a comprehensive solution that combined advanced manufacturing processes, efficient tooling, and inventory management:
Tendering with the VPI Process
Lamplas selected the Vacuum Pressure Infusion (VPI) process for production. This method was ideal for creating smooth, high-quality mouldings, both externally and internally, which was essential for optimal performance and easier handling and assembly.Reverse Engineering Existing Parts
To address the lack of detailed specifications, Lamplas reverse-engineered the existing parts, creating precise tooling designs that met the functional and aesthetic requirements.Tooling Program for Priority Components
A structured tooling program was initiated, focusing first on the most critical and frequently required components. This ensured a swift start to production for the highest-priority items.Stock Level and Supply Chain Management
Lamplas established a regular supply schedule and built up an agreed stock level, allowing Elta UK to call off components as needed. This eliminated the lead-time issues and ensured a consistent flow of products.
Results and Impact:
The collaboration with Lamplas provided Elta UK with several significant advantages:
- Improved Product Quality: The VPI process delivered fan mouldings with superior surface finish, structural integrity, and performance.
- Reduced Lead Times: By manufacturing locally, Lamplas drastically reduced lead times compared to the previous overseas supplier.
- Reliable Deliveries: Regular shipments and agreed stock levels ensured that all required components were available when needed, eliminating disruptions.
- Cost-Effective Solution: The efficient manufacturing and inventory management practices reduced waste and minimised overall costs.
Conclusion:
Lamplas’ expertise in GRP manufacturing and its commitment to quality and reliability made it the ideal partner for Elta UK. By addressing the challenges of poor quality, slow lead times, and inconsistent deliveries, Lamplas not only met but exceeded client expectations. This case highlights Lamplas’ ability to provide tailored solutions that enhance supply chain efficiency and product performance, further cementing its reputation as a trusted industry leader.
How we Manage your Projects
Working closely with you at the design stage, to help develop your ideas into manufacturable components.
Translating designs through robust product development, into high quality finished products.
Producing patterns made by the traditional hand method, or cut by CNC for more complicated and accurate shapes.
Our processes include hand-lay, spray-up, RTM closed mould and solid surface casting.
