In early summer, Micronclean’s Roman Bank facility completed one of its most ambitious upgrades to date: the installation of two new industrial washers, representing a £300,000 investment in operational efficiency and customer service. Installed and commissioned over a single weekend, with a phased validation prior to operational use, the new equipment was up and running by early the following week without missing a single customer delivery.
The investment replaces washers that had been in continuous service since 1996. In recent years, a combination of hard-to-source parts and unplanned downtime had put pressure on plant operations, particularly during periods of peak production.
“This decision to change the washers was based on hard evidence,” said Andy Kettle, Operations Director at Micronclean. “Weeks of analysis and due diligence using the 8D methodology clearly demonstrated the need for change.”
“The success of the project relied on cross-department collaboration across a range of departments, including Production, Engineering, Textile Store, Quality, Laboratory, Transport, Customer Services, IT, Cleanroom Cleaning, and Premises”.
As a result, the team was able to generate an hour-by-hour plan, which meant that despite major sections of the plant being offline during the installation, the company maintained full service to customers.
The new washers offer a range of operational benefits, including:
- Automatic weighing for consistent processing.
- Significantly reduced energy, steam and water consumption.
- Quieter operation with lower vibration levels.
- Improved control and monitoring systems.
Early results show an average 20% increase in washing capacity and an estimated 30% boost in drying capacity, significantly strengthening Micronclean’s service capability.
“This installation is more than just an equipment upgrade - it’s proof of what we can achieve when we work together,” said Andy Kettle. “It reflects our SKIEs values, our data-driven approach, and our commitment to delivering excellence to every customer.”
