Building a brand takes time; a reputation must be earned and to do that you should ensure that quality and service speak for themselves.
The Maritime Industry
There is a lot of focus on the automotive and aerospace industries when it comes to digitalisation and technological advancements. Marine is one industry that plays an absolutely crucial role in the global economy, yet is often overlooked.
According to the United Nations, the marine and maritime sector is responsible for transporting 90% of the world’s trade in goods. Their infrastructure underpins the global economy and transports crucial supply chains such as food and healthcare equipment.
Yet this industry tends to have less focus on digitalisation and automation than automotive and aerospace, however its smooth running is fundamental to delivering products across the globe.
The impact of delays on boat manufacturing
The UK’s boat-building industry is estimated to generate nearly £3bn in revenue each year and employs around 30,000 people. The impact of any delays in boat manufacturing can be far-reaching and substantial.
The delayed delivery of an order can have a knock-on effect on those who are awaiting delivery of their vessel; whether it’s a domestic order, for commercial use or a new cruise liner launching.
It’s critical from a reputational and contractual point of view that delays are minimised or negated altogether. And minimising delays is possible through FLAGS Software.
When FLAGS is implemented as part of the production process, FLAGS quality management software ensures products are consistent and produced to the right level of specifications every single time.
It also assists with the act of machine learning by collecting data, which depicts patterns/trends that feed into these learnings, resulting in the process becoming more intuitive and reducing any misinterpretation.
Digital twin in marine manufacturing
In addition, digital twin technology plays a crucial role in supporting marine manufacturing by providing a virtual replica of physical assets, processes, and systems involved in shipbuilding and other maritime operations.
Marine manufacturers can simulate and improve various stages of the production process, from initial design and prototyping to assembly, testing, and maintenance. Real-time data is collated via sensors and IoT devices and the digital twin monitors and analyses the product’s performance, facilitating predictive maintenance and reducing downtime.
Furthermore, digital twins allow for advanced simulations and scenario testing, aiding in the identification of potential bottlenecks, improving efficiency, and enhancing safety. The use of FLAGS software in this way also enables collaboration among different teams and stakeholders by providing a shared virtual environment, enhancing communication and accelerating decision-making.
The importance of quality control in boat manufacturing
Quality control is of utmost importance, not only from a safety and reputational perspective, but also from a financial one.
Quality control issues result in inspection failures, delays, rework and unplanned downtime whilst waiting for replacement parts. This may have a knock-on effect for any planned labour that may need to be rescheduled. If replacement parts are delivered and the boat isn’t ready, this can cause further delays and issues with storage and more.
These delays lead to increased costs in terms of time, labour, materials and wastage, not to mention lost revenue and decreased productivity. Not only that, but delays in delivering the final product on schedule can have a substantial impact on the brand’s reputation and cashflow.
Quality Control in action: Working with a luxury boat manufacturer
FLAGS Software worked with a premium boat manufacturer on the development and implementation of a robust, digital quality control system. This system not only helped reduce costly downtime but also enabled them to identify where their bottlenecks of production lay.
Previously, the boat manufacturer relied on a manual approach to oversee and document each stage of production, but this posed numerous challenges as the paper-based boat flies were not consistently transferred to subsequent stages of production, and the risk of misplacement was ever-present. Consequently, accurately tracking and monitoring of quality control became nearly impossible.
To address these issues, FLAGS Software introduced its quality control software that served as a single, digital repository for all quality checks and issues, enabling engineers from different stages to review the logs at any given time.
This not only saved the company money by preventing costly delays but also safeguarded its exceptional reputation. With FLAGS Software, they could identify recurring issues and trends, allowing for prompt resolutions. Collaborating with FLAGS Software empowered the yacht manufacturer to modernise their production processes and enhance their quality control standards.
Complete Visibility, Control and traceability at their fingertips
Engineers gained enhanced visibility, control, and traceability throughout the production process. They were able to easily access a wealth of invaluable information, including real-time updates on the status of each boat, which team members were involved in its production, the completion percentage, and whether it was on track to meet it’s deadline.
If timescales were slipping, they had Information readily available, eliminating the need for managers to physically inquire or travel to different locations to gather data. Instead, they could conveniently monitor operations from their desk or mobile device via a series of dashboards that highlight trends and hotspots to ensure real-time information is always at hand.
Real-Time Digital Audit Trail
Moreover, FLAGS Software ensured an audit trail by capturing comprehensive records of all completed work. The data collected enabled the analysis of lessons learned, such as evaluating staff competency and the quality of their skills, identifying supplier shortcomings, and planning for increased efficiency in future endeavours, as well as providing a permanent history record for each boat.
To benefit from these capabilities, reach out to one of our experts today.
