Autins Group plc is a European group of companies specializing in acoustic and thermal insulation materials and components. They have grown from a small UK business to a multi-company group with over 200 employees and £21 million in revenue. They have partnered with WMG to implement new technologies like machine monitoring systems, standardize barcoding, and conduct lean improvement projects to optimize processes. Through innovation and investment, Autins Group aims to become Europe's leading insulation manufacturer and provide sustainable solutions to customers' acoustic and thermal challenges.

1. Providing sound solutions
Automotive Insulations Limited
Paul Walker, Managing Director

2. Who are Autins Group plc?
• We are specialists in materials and components for noise and
heat management.
• We offer a complete solution to acoustic, thermal and NVH
problems.
• We invest in technology and research to make things:
• lighter
• quieter
• thermally efficient.
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3. • From a small business in Rugby to a multi-company European
group with worldwide business partnerships.
• Approximately 230 staff across the Group.
• Group turnover in the region of £21m and rising.
• Company mantra across all businesses is to provide solutions.
• Innovation has been fundamental to finding those solutions for
our customers.
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Who are Autins Group plc?

4. The Autins Group Vision
To become Europe’s premium acoustic and thermal insulation materials and components
manufacturer.
We will provide sustainable growth through:
• Product and process innovation
• Gross margin improvement
• Committed and continuous improvement
• Supplier of choice
• Skilled, motivated and engaged workforce.
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5. What were our key challenges?
• Ageing equipment, some machines nearly 20 years old.
• Processes operator-led, very little uptake of new technologies.
• Rapid growth provided limited opportunities for review.
• Difficult to collect/review machine performance data.
• Management Information Systems not as efficient as could be.
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6. Working with WMG
• Internship programme
• 3 successful internships
• One intern retained as staff member
• Postgraduate Award - “Innovative Business Leadership”
• Innovative collaboration on specific projects
• Material research support
• Use of testing equipment and facilities
• Lean Six Sigma Assessment and Review
• Technology implementation e.g. Smart Factories, Industry 4.0
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7. Our Industry 4.0 Journey
• Implementation Plan scoped and created for live machine data
capture.
• Standardisation and serialisation of barcoding
• Software and technical proof of concept phase
• Final deployment of IT technologies
• WMG collaborated with IT partner to adopt latest thinking and
technologies into a company customised solution
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8. “Smart Factory” – Machine Monitoring
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9. Lean Improvements with WMG
• Recent project led by WMG alongside Manufacturing
Engineering interns
• Comprehensive assessment of our Rugby manufacturing
processes
• Significant lean improvement opportunities were identified:
• layout changes for machines
• reduction in tool changeover times
• ‘poka yoke’ systems for crucial operations
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10. Lean Improvements with WMG
“Once again, WMG have done a great job in understanding our
requirements and coming up with a set of recommendations that could
help us save over £70,000 and improve usage of our equipment”.
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11. Innovation and product development
• Significant investment in last 5 years
• Development and adaptation of new production machinery
• Material research to enhance product performance
• Enhancing our capabilities to meet customer needs
• Addition of companies to the group with different but
complementary capabilities
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