Internet of Plastic Things

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Plastic injection moulding specialist MGS Technical Plastics has invested a five-figure sum in a new system which will use Internet of Things technology to monitor production facilities, improve efficiency and reduce costs.

MGS has installed Thingtrax at its Blackburn, Lancashire, site to monitor machines and processes around the clock.

Utilising the Internet of Things to oversee and report on productivity, downtime and processes, MGS employees can log in via any computer, smartphone or tablet to view up-to-the-minute information.

The data helps identify which machines are due maintenance, and when production schedules allow for work to be carried out. Reports can also locate inefficiencies to be corrected and help plan projects to make the best use of the factory's resources.

The tool is more commonly used by engineering firms much larger than MGS, and the investment is a key part of the company's long-term goal to reach £10m annual turnover.

Judson Smythe, projects manager at MGS, said: "Not many companies our size employ monitoring systems this advanced, but we have big ambitions and this exciting new piece of technology will help us achieve our goals.

"The key benefit will be a more seamless production process and eliminating unplanned downtown. As well as reducing day-to-day costs, it will make us more efficient and improve our ability to deliver projects for customers in shorter time frames.

Judson added: "ThingTrax is a new and exciting start-up that is disrupting the machine monitoring market and we're excited to have their tools in our hands."

-MGS Technical Plastics supplies customers in markets including medical, hygiene, security, safety, and electronics.

www.mgsplastics.co.uk

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