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NEWS EXTRA
Vacu-Lug Raising Standards
Vacu-Lug's commitment to continuous improvement is enhancing quality and efficiency on the retread production line An increase in demand for retreads, but fewer quality casings from which to make them. That's the dichotomy faced by the retread industry today, due, of course, to the
In practice, Apollo provides a comprehensive record of everything and everybody coming into contact with a tyre as it progresses through the retread manufacturing process. By scanning in the details of each casing arriving at Vacu-Lug's Grantham production centre, Apollo also maintains a complete
challenging economic times in which we live.
While it cannot magic casings up out of thin air, Vacu-Lug has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure it does all it can when it comes to getting the most out of the available resource. To that end, the company has recently introduced an all-new audit system known as Apollo, which stands for Advanced Process Organisation Leading Leaner Operations.
history of each tyre's type, source and operating history, including the number of times it has already been retreaded (if any).
"These details are essential if we are to attain the highest quality standards," says Vacu-Lug Plant Manager Brian Barron. "For not only does the system tell us where each tyre has come from and the type of operation for which it is destined, it also helps us identify issues as diverse as
The 10th CITEXPO to be Largest to Date
production deviations and instances where additional training may be required. As such, Apollo forms an important part of our quality assurance system."
In a separate development, Vacu- Lug has also commissioned a new conveyor system at its Grantham plant to transport casings from the buffing and examination section of the factory to the building area. The conveyor has replaced a number
of old manual handling systems, and as such represents a significant step forward with regard to operating efficiency and health and safety at work. "Once again, we identified this need as part of our programme of continuous improvement, which seeks to advance our production processes, enhance the working environment and drive quality ever higher," concludes Brian Barron.
The 10th CITEXPO will again be held at Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 12, 13 & 14, 2012. The number of booked stands and floor space has already made a new record for the show.
According to Mr. Wilko Fong, Managing Director of Reliable International Exhibition Services
Co.,Ltd., he expects the number of exhibitors of CITEXPO 2012 will be over 280 occupying 24,000 square metres of exhibition space in the three halls of the Shanghai Everbright Convention and Exhibition Centre. Wilko believes that CITEXPO 2012 will continue to provide an excellent platform for the worldwide tyre industry professionals to meet and create tremendous business opportunities.
Over the past ten years, CITEXPO has become one of the most attended trade shows in the worldwide tyre industry. It has always been a successful and growing show not only because it is held in the largest tyre production and consumption market in China, but also because the visitors of this show are of high quality and in a quantity that has exceeded the exhibitors’ expectation.
Meanwhile, the 7th Automotive Testing Expo (China), an adjacent show, will be held in the following week.
Visitors who pre-register online at www.citepxo.com.cn will enjoy free admission, fast registration line, a copy of the show catalogue and a limited edition souvenir.