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RSSDolphins Streamline BMW's Logistics Operation
December 24, 2007
•Case Study: Dolphins Streamline BMW's Logistics Operation
Automatic data capture technology has an important role to play across a range of applications within the manufacturing sector. One example is the use of mobile computers by BMW's engine plant at Hams Hall in North Warwickshire. For the past four years or more, these have been used as part of a real-time material call system. The plant has recently upgraded to new Dolphin 7900 mobile computers from Hand Held Products, supplied by Spirit Data Capture Limited.
The BMW engine plant at Hams Hall opened in January 2001. This £400 million production facility is the first BMW engine plant to be built outside Germany and Austria. It plays a crucial role in BMW Group's international production network as its ‘centre of competence' for production of all four-cylinder petrol engines between 1.6 and 2.0 litres capacity, and employs revolutionary VALVETRONIC technology.
Over four years ago, the plant purchased some Dolphin® 7400 RF hand held computers manufactured by Hand Held Products, the world's leading provider of image-based data capture solutions. These were chosen as part of a drive to automate the facility's logistics operations, especially those involving material calls (in which components are requested from the warehouse for the production line).
The engine plant recently decided to upgrade the Dolphin 7400s. BMW decided to stay with the Dolphin range and asked Spirit Data Capture to source the replacement units. Spirit is an independent consultancy based in Preston Brook, Cheshire, and specialises in automated data collection solutions.
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