Visual Knowledge Share Ltd > Case Studies > Kone's Digital Transformation: Boosting Productivity and Streamlining Operations

Kone's Digital Transformation: Boosting Productivity and Streamlining Operations

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Bluetooth
Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors

Applicable Industries

Life Sciences
Oil & Gas

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development
Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Smart Lighting
Time Sensitive Networking

Services

Testing & Certification
Training

About The Customer

KONE Coal Valley is a branch of KONE, a world-leading manufacturer of elevators, escalators, and autowalks. The company is dedicated to the advancement of urban flow and is a force to be reckoned with in the urban development sphere. KONE Coal Valley is known for pushing the boundaries of what is possible for highly populated areas. They have won the Elevator World Project of the Year Award and a $179-Million escalator contract in Washington D.C. The company is always pushing for innovation and has plans for continued growth and utilization of VKS.

The Challenge

KONE Coal Valley, a leading manufacturer of elevators and escalators, faced two significant challenges before their digital transformation. Firstly, their work instructions were distributed on paper within multiple binders, making it difficult to update and keep track of the best and most current practices. Secondly, with a significant portion of their workforce set to retire in the coming years, they had to hire a new generation of workers who lacked the necessary experience. The company needed a solution that would enable them to transfer the knowledge and experience of their senior employees to their new hires before they retired. These challenges were not unique to KONE Coal Valley alone but are common issues that many modern manufacturers face daily.

The Solution

KONE Coal Valley implemented VKS, a work instruction software, to mitigate these challenges. The software provided digital resources that could be updated with a click of a button, empowering employees to perform the right work, at the right time, with the right knowledge. The company leveraged the software to integrate smart manufacturing practices, resulting in significant operational efficiency and flow. They used VKS to document their best practices and capture the tribal knowledge developed over the years. They also developed a special hardware setup that enabled their operators to see the work instructions from anywhere in the workstation. The company used VKS Smart Forms to reduce material bottlenecks within their operation and to supplement their new training curriculum. They also leveraged VKS to enact dynamic and direct Andon measures on their shop floor, track massive amounts of accurate production data, and give their operators a voice in creating and documenting their best practices.

Operational Impact

The implementation of VKS has brought about significant operational improvements for KONE Coal Valley. The company has been able to standardize their processes despite the high variation in their products. They have also been able to enhance material flow within their operation, reducing internal wait times for materials. The use of VKS has also enabled them to share a new level of quality assurance with their customers, boosting their confidence in the products they purchase. Furthermore, the company has been able to give their operators a voice in creating and documenting their best practices, leading to improved adherence to instructions and opening up opportunities for improvement, growth, and optimization. The company's commitment to innovation and the successful implementation of VKS has positioned them as a leader in the industry.

Quantitative Benefit

Boost in productivity by 75% for their heavy-duty unit, enabling them to build more with every working hour.
10-15% decrease in cycle times for many of their processes.
Significant reduction in orientation process time for new hires.