Datastream Helps Lead Company to Production Success and ISO Certification

	Quick Facts World-class manufacturer Datastream software instrumental in ISO certification Implementation time took less than one month

UFE (United for Excellence) PTE Ltd. Thermoplastic Technology, based in Singapore, is a leading manufacturer of plastic injection molding and mold manufacturing. UFE PTE Ltd. is a subsidiary of UFE Incorporated, a world-class provider of contract engineering and manufacturing services. Utilizing concurrent engineering, advanced technology, and integrated systems, UFE's experienced staff turns concepts into realities. UFE designs and builds tools to exacting specifications, which provides the customer with customized solutions.

UFE offers advanced tool-design capabilities with their design engineers and production staff working together to meet customer specifications. UFE uses computerized flow and thermal and stress analysis to further understand how production tools will work prior to being built. This calls for a meticulous, precise process—one that cannot afford an interruption due to equipment downtime.

"Trial and error is not the way to ensure precision and accuracy," says Tang Siew Siang, maintenance engineer. "In order for us to provide a product with longevity and performance, we must provide the consistent quality that customers demand throughout the entire design and production process."

The Challenges
"The role of the maintenance department it to maintain the facility with maximum efficiency," says Tang. "Minimizing production downtime is our greatest challenge. Around here, we simply do not have time for equipment failure. Each department operates on a tight schedule, and the slightest delay can disrupt the entire process, costing us time and money."

With such a rigid structure, it might be tempting to rush through a maintenance task in order to prevent downtime. Tang, however, says shortcuts are not an option. "Whether it's part design and materials engineering or tool design and high-volume production, UFE doesn't take shortcuts," says Tang. "We have learned that what may seem to be a shortcut can result in a lengthy, expensive delay."

Tang defines shortcuts primarily as a "quick-fix" to a task that requires greater attention. Although Tang looks for the fastest alternative, UFE's maintenance department must do a thorough job on each repair. "We've established ongoing relationships with our customers because we offer start-to-finish thermoplastic expertise from the most simple to the most complex parts," says Tang. "We have wide-ranging capabilities in both design and molding of precision thermoplastic components."

The Solution
UFE began searching for a maintenance and asset management software package that would support their high-pressure maintenance department. The company wanted a software package that would track failures and maintenance tasks as well as record and document real-time information. Following a recommendation from another company, UFE purchased Datastream software.

Implementation took less than one month. Tang was immediately impressed that Datastream could handle preventive and corrective maintenance work orders, such as oil and air-leak checks, yet keep the necessary data sorted and filed accordingly. "Using Datastream's maintenance management functionality is a part of my daily routine," says Tang. "The system is just what we were looking for—it saves us time without skimping on attention to detail, and it enhances every aspect of our facility."

The Results
UFE's commitment to quality is further realized by meeting rigorous standards established by the International Standardization Organization (ISO). ISO sets a standard for international commerce addressing manufacturing and environmental issues to assure a quality product. ISO certified companies comply with certain procedural, manufacturing, and safety standards. To become ISO compliant, it must be proven that maintenance procedures are in place, documented, and easily retrievable.

Tang is pleased with UFE's ISO certification and the choice they made for a maintenance solution. The company can easily track the maintenance information required by the ISO process. In addition, utilizing Datastream software's powerful functionality, UFE has enjoyed the third-party endorsement that comes with being ISO certified—an important factor in global trade opportunities because many vendors will not purchase from a company who is not ISO certified.

"Datastream offers such a complete asset management solution that we also plan to use it to control our spare part inventory and ordering. Our production facility is uniquely structured to manufacture parts—on time and by specification. With Datastream, we're turning complex projects into systematic successes!"

"Datastream was the perfect choice for our maintenance software needs," says Tang. "It satisfies the requirements of ISO-9000 which in turn helps us satisfy the expectations of our customers.