Technological innovation
Lean operation
VALMET
customised to meet the specific needs of each of our customers . Therefore , we always need to know whether the needs and the requirements of our customer will be met and understood by our suppliers .”
Technological innovation
With 220 years of industrial history , Valmet garnered a rich wealth of expertise but , despite its current knowledge , it is also keen to promote continuous improvement and innovation .
Driven by its customers ’ needs , Valmet has invested heavily in R & D , working on products that enhance raw material , water and energy efficiency and promote the use of renewable materials .
With over 400 R & D professionals around the globe and about 1,400 protected inventions , technological know-how is the backbone of Valmet ’ s value creation , says Sharma .
“ For Valmet , technological innovation means that we can create added value for the customer ,” he explains . “ There have been lot of new solutions launched into the market which can be more efficient , more reliable and more beneficial for the customer .
“ We are sharing the knowledge we have gained also with our suppliers who are mastering their own technologies . It ’ s a question of coming together , collaborating , developing new technologies and new ways of doing things so that we are continually improving and creating more value for our customers .”
Lean operation
By harnessing its technological prowess , Valmet is not only trying to drive efficiency and reliability , it is also trying to adopt a lean approach .
“ We also have to innovate our operations to see what costs we can lower ,” explains Sharma . “ So , for example , we are trying to see if we can bring in some alternative raw materials into use which are more flexible , leaner and which take less time to manufacture or deliver to the customers .”
Design-to-cost is an increasing focus for the company , and it strives for this through its supplier relationship management and its lean approach .
176 January 2018