Rockwell Automation Partners with BIC to Drive Digital Transformation and Efficiency through Plex MES

Rockwell Automation, Inc. the global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, proudly announces the successful one-year implementation of the Plex Manufacturing Execution System (MES) at BIC, a renowned industry leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, situated at their state-of-the-art plant in Bizerte, Tunisia.

BIC's strategic impetus for embracing digitalization and transformation centers on the imperative standardization of production processes and the seamless integration of machinery, personnel, and business layers. Plex MES was the discerning choice, celebrated for its expansive functional capabilities and robust technical prowess, offering a cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) solution that superbly bolsters BIC's standardization efforts.

Malte Dieckelmann, Vice President of Enterprise Software Sales, EMEA, elucidates, "Our collaboration with BIC is a pivotal milestone in their digital manufacturing metamorphosis. Leveraging Plex MES, BIC has transitioned into a more efficient, standardized, and paperless operational realm. This evolution not only enhances their day-to-day operations but also aligns seamlessly with our shared commitment to innovation and efficiency."

The Plex MES deployment commenced in 2020 with an insightful pilot project at BIC's manufacturing facility in Bizerte, Tunisia. The Plex MES system delivers real-time reporting, enabling dynamic visibility, automated data acquisition, and streamlined tracking of production Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The dividends reaped from this endeavor encompass enhanced inventory control, waste reduction, mitigation of manual processing errors, and an overall elevation in equipment efficiency (OEE). Moreover, it has ushered in the automation of production integration, catalyzing significant changes on the shop floor.

Rogelio Demay, Senior Manager Information Technology Manufacturing at BIC, affirms, "Our voyage toward digital transformation underscores the fusion of human talent and technology to amplify operational prowess. Transitioning from a paper-based system to Plex MES marks a monumental leap toward self-sufficiency, granting us the agility to promptly address challenges, foster continuous improvement, and, in the end, optimize efficiency."

Plex MES stands as the bedrock of BIC's broader Smart Manufacturing Initiative, heralding the integration of additional elements within the factory framework, en route to transcending traditional paper-based processes in favor of Plex MES, all while empowering self-sufficiency through a comprehensive 360-degree view of the factory floor.

Rockwell Automation, a steadfast ally in this endeavor, champions BIC's vision of merging operational technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT), effectively bridging the chasm between these two realms and seamlessly infusing them into the company's operational tapestry, thereby creating a singular, definitive source for manufacturing data.

Demay further underscores, "We honor our heritage while embracing innovation, with a keen focus on dismantling silos to integrate technology and human capital. We firmly believe that our people are the linchpin of success, and integrating MES into daily operations paves our path toward augmented operational efficiency."

BIC is poised to extend this digital transformation journey beyond the confines of the Bizerte plant, as Dafni Vakasi, Smart Manufacturing Manager at BIC, elaborates on the blueprint for replicating this success across other BIC facilities in Athens, Manaus, and Mexico, with Plex MES playing a pivotal role in this transformative odyssey. This expansion not only accrues benefits within BIC's factory walls but also extends its reach to integrate suppliers on one end and streamline deliveries on the other, thereby fully realizing the aspirations of Industry 4.0, encompassing the extraction of actionable insights from data to empower informed decisions. With unwavering support from Rockwell Automation, BIC's odyssey promises to redefine its operations, setting a new benchmark in the manufacturing landscape.

Source:rockwellautomation.com