Rutland Plastics Accelerates Their Digital Journey through Made Smarter East Midlands

Rutland Plastics has always been recognised for its technical expertise in injection moulding.

Their consistent drive for improvement has helped the family-run company, and major local employer, grow steadily over the past 70 years whilst facing various economic crises over the years.

Rutland Plastics has a long history of working with customers, both domestic and international, helping them with design for manufacture, manufacture of mould tools and production of injection moulded plastic parts. Rutland Plastics manufactures a wide variety of plastic parts from everyday household items for small and major brands through to medical parts and even large-scale infrastructure components weighing up to 45 kilograms.

Made Smarter was contacted by Rutland Plastics as part of their plan to grow and innovate. Made Smarter gave them an impartial review of their current processes and reaffirmed the positive steps being made on their digital adoption journey.

Current Digital Readiness Level Review

Rutland Plastics have distinguished itself in digital transformation, achieving an impressive score of 7 on the PAS 1040 digital maturity scale, which is a close representation of reality. This score reflects their near-optimal integration of digital technologies across their operations, from advanced automation in their production lines to the implementation of sophisticated data analytics for predictive maintenance and quality control. 

Despite this high level of digital sophistication, Rutland remain committed to continuous improvement, seeking out the latest innovations in smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0. technologies. Their journey has not only enhanced operational efficiency and product quality but also significantly reduced environmental impact through optimised resource use and waste reduction. By prioritising investment in cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of innovation, they not only set a benchmark for the industry but also demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to embracing the potential of digital advancements for sustainable growth and competitiveness.

The review revealed the need for more efficient and specialist approaches towards tool wear measurement practices. Rutland Plastics had an existing fixed-bed CMM machine, but this led to performance inefficiencies as it requires removing the tool from the moulding machine. Through match-funding by Made Smarter East Midlands Rutland Plastics has been able to purchase a new handheld CMM which will enable accurate measurements to be taken in situ thus reducing machine downtime and improving quality.

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If you are a maker based in the East Midlands, visit the Made Smarter East Midlands website today to find out more about how the programme can help your business with fully funded support, training and grant funding.

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