Simba streamlines operations with Motorola two-way radios

To improve productivity and run its plant more efficiently, food manufacturing giant Simba has embraced the wireless world and purchased portable two-way radios and a base station from authorised Motorola dealer Signal Network Telecom.

"By using two-way radios, we now have immediate access to the maintenance and process managers responsible for the output and productivity of the plant," says Chris Bitzer, maintenance manager at Simba. "This means we can instantly address any problems in the plant and react rapidly in an emergency situation".

Simba`s manufacturing plant operates on a 24-hour basis, churning out some 30 tons of potato chips per day. Machinery downtime due to breakdowns or emergencies in the plant impacts directly on output, resulting in decreased productivity and financial loss, so response time is critical.

"We also had a problem with our silos, where the operator could not check whether the chute was clear before opening or closing it. This meant having to come all the way down from the top of the silo, resulting in a loss in production time. With two-way radios, the operator can communicate with a colleague on the ground, saving time and increasing the safety of the operation," explains Bitzer.

There are many entrances and exits in the plant, making it difficult to trace a particular person. "We originally had a PA system in the plant, but the high levels of noise made communications incoherent," he says. "We then tried cordless telephones, but they were costly, had a poor battery life and required excessive maintenance. It was also difficult to control incoming calls and reduce the level of abuse of calls or unnecessary calls. With two-way radios we can control the type of communication and who has access to that communication. Another major benefit is their extended battery life and significant reductions in the cost of communication."

James Hackett, owner of Signal Network Telecoms adds that the radios are tough enough to handle extended use in hazardous environments. "Motorola`s two-way radios are designed to perform in extreme conditions and cope easily with high levels of noise in a factory environment. The voice compression X-PAND technology is unique to Motorola two-way radios, ensuring crisp and clear audio quality," he concludes.