Even small details, such as the correct use of consumables, are essential for optimizing the production environment. If these are used according to the needs and requirements of the company, this has an impact on the number of consumables used or the working time required for a specific task, among other things. The amount of complementary solutions used, such as chemicals, paints or varnishes, can also be minimized in this way.

Purpose-optimized wipe prevents domino effect

Choosing the right wipe plays a key role when it comes to achieving increased productivity, higher cleaning efficiency, consistent quality and reduced consumption of cleaning materials. A wipe that is not optimized for its purpose can have far-reaching consequences in the daily production process. For example, when cleaning machines, conveyor belts or rough surfaces, it is important to clean them free of lint and residue. In the worst case, foreign bodies in machines and systems can lead to safety risks, downtimes and production losses. If the wipe does not meet the individual cleaning tasks, the consumption of the wipes is also significantly higher. If liquids have to be wiped up or heavy soiling removed, absorbent cloths with a textile-like structure are recommended. "Our WypAll X80 Plus wipes absorb more dirt per wipe than textile cleaning cloths, large rolls or other similar products. The result is less wastage of cloths and a reduced amount of waste," explains Nadine Woll, Marketing Manager at Kimberly-Clark Professional.

Save time and walking distances

Even if manufacturing specialists select their consumables carefully, they often fail to consider how they are actually used. As a result, the quantity, use or delivery method is not properly aligned with the actual need. For example, if industrial consumables are not provided at the point of use, waste is created through movement. If an employee spends just ten minutes per shift fetching consumables, this adds up to several thousand hours per year for 30 employees per shift. With flexible and mobile systems, this type of waste can be easily eliminated. "For example, we offer the mobile and closed WypAll wipe dispenser for our quarter-folded WypAll wipes for high cleaning requirements. Users benefit from various placement options. This means the wipes are always to hand. The dispenser is also economical to use and protects the contents from contamination," reports Nadine Woll. In addition to provision, the form in which materials are dispensed is also important in the production process. For example, when tearing off a wipe from an unperforated roll, it is easier for lint to accumulate. This can have serious consequences, especially in the food industry. Pre-cut products solve this problem while ensuring controlled consumption and preventing waste. Companies also benefit from a reduction in their disposal costs.

The use of pre-soaked wipes - here with the Kimtech Wettask bucket - reduces the consumption of chemicals. (Pictures: Kimberly-Clark Professional)

If solvents and chemicals are provided in open buckets, waste increases due to evaporation, which also represents a potential hazard for employees. In addition, there is a higher risk of spilling or splashing the agents. Similarly, when wiping cloths, paper towels or cleaning rags are immersed in solvent containers, too much liquid is often absorbed, which is no longer released by the cloths. To counteract the increased consumption of chemicals, the use of pre-soaked wiping cloths is recommended. With the Kimtech Wettask bucket from Kimberly-Clark Professional, users should be able to reduce their solvent consumption by at least 20 percent. The flexible provision of the refillable and airtight system at the respective place of use is a further advantage to enable employees to travel short distances.

"On the basis of plant inspections, we determine where hidden inefficiencies are concealed. This involves examining how products are used as part of a complex production and value chain. With the insights gained, Kimberly-Clark Professional delivers the right solutions that meet the specific requirements of the environment and processes. It is important to localize the problems precisely, achieve improvements and avoid domino effects," says Nadine Woll. cs