By changing the way we look at servicing our customers needs, we are now able to produce a batch, from the time we get an order to the time it ships, in 3 to 5 days. The actual production time is less than that. The batch size can vary from 1 gallon to 250 or even 500 gallons. This part of the plant is specifically designed for only this type of manufacturing. Because the weighing and dispensing of pre-made tint bases is so accurate, we have designed very specific characteristics into this area to eliminate any vibration or air movement from other parts of the plant. Actual formulae are resident in the computer and the batch maker simply loads the product code and quantity needed and the batch is made. It is then placed under a mixer, blended and sampled to Quality Control.

In the old days a "batch from scratch" might have taken seven or eight adjustments in QC. Now, with this technology, our goal is one pass through just to confirm that all customer specifications are met. The system has proven to be very effective in reaching our goals and is expandable. Although our very large batches are still produced from scratch, many steps have been taken to gain tremendous improvements in efficiency, accuracy, repeatability and speed. This is the way of the future and Akzo Nobel has made this commitment to better serve its customers for years to come.

 

 

When we recently expanded our facilities in Columbus, Ohio, just making more gallons was not our only goal. Although this was achieved, this site is filled with the kind of equipment and procedures to make more paint faster, better, safer and very responsibly in terms of the environment. Along this end, one of the key areas of expansion was into the most modern intermixing technology.