Filtrona’s filter manufacturing plant in Jarrow UK is the group’s European hub for filter production and development. It is a place where production efficiency and quality control are imperative. The proven FlexLink FRS technology increased quality control and product traceability at Filtrona. 

Filtrona previously operated a LIFO (Last in First Out) reservoir. The system provided poor traceability and due to the flow of product through the system, faulty products could potentially be immobile in the reservoir for days. Before the installation of the FlexLink FIFO Reservoir System (FRS), products were manually fed directly into the dual filter making machines. The FlexLink FRS technology has been developed with the support of a global FlexLink network and offers the market a cost efficient alternative to existing FIFO reservoirs.

Further product changeovers were complicated and messy, resulting in unnecessary downtime and production inefficiency. Quality checks and monitoring production flows through the process were complicated and time consuming.      

Easy and efficient operator access
Three FlexLink FRS units have been successfully installed at the Filtrona Jarrow site. Each operating as independent reservoir systems to provide a continuous product flow into three independent machines. The solution at Filtrona was designed to allow for easy, efficient operator access. This was achieved via a series of operator access points along the system. 

When asked about the FlexLink FRS installation and the results it has achieved for Filtrona at Jarrow, Mr David Bowden Engineering Manager stated; “It quite simply gives us better traceability, and that is critical in ensuring the high quality of our products.” 

Improving flexibility and reducing WIP 
The FRS operates on a First In, First Out basis, where products are fed into the system between production processes and transported through the FRS Reservoir providing consistent product flow.  Each FRS unit contains two cells which accommodate for two separate product in-feeds. The FRS units provide an advantage over traditional reservoir systems, by allowing both units to be fitted into different machine layouts as required. 

Impressed with the FlexLink proposal for a FIFO system and confident in their proven track record within the industry; Mr. Bowden highlighted the extended benefits of the FlexLink FRS installation at Filtrona, Jarrow go beyond their current capabilities; “We now have the flexibility to directly link machinery, and therefore reducing WIP and the associated waste.”