By : Bakinam Khaled - Weal Elhoseny
Procter & Gamble has chosen Schneider Electric to install a range of technologies that will improve production efficiency, minimize unplanned downtime and improve resource sustainability at the company’s factory in Cairo’s 6th of October Industrial zone. The technology, which includes Internet-of-Things-connected hardware and cloud-based software and artificial intelligence, will enhance security, optimize electricity usage and reduce downtime for P&G’s manufacturing lines by monitoring, analyzing and optimizing the plant’s electrical infrastructure.
Procter & Gamble’s manufacturing team wanted to put in place a solution that would enhance production through eliminating unscheduled downtime and improving machine reliability. They turned to Schneider Electric, who proposed a combination of hardware, software and services to future-proof the site and ensure safety and quality at the factory.
“This is one of our most important factories in the region, and it’s a manufacturing hub both for Egypt and for the wider Middle East and Africa,” said Karim Hussein, P&G October IV Plant Manager. “We were looking for technologies that would benefit our production lines, to make them more resilient and sustainable. And what Schneider Electric proposed was a design that would help us become much more efficient and optimize our energy usage moving forward.”
The solution, which includes low and medium voltage equipment as well as uninterruptible power supply units, will be internet-enabled, allowing for the site’s infrastructure to be monitored by Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure software. Power Monitoring Expert will give the factory’s operations team insights into electrical system health and energy efficiency so they can make informed decisions to improve power system performance. EcoStruxure Asset Advisor software will evaluate live data from critical connected assets and apply advanced analytics to identify potential threats such as equipment failure. Schneider Electric will also provide a comprehensive service offering, to further support operations at the plant.
“Procter & Gamble has always been a pioneer in terms of its operations, and this technology will ensure that the factory will remain an exemplary facility,” said Marc Charabati, Schneider Electric’s Field Services Vice president. “Our technology will reduce downtime and response time for any equipment issues, increase system lifetime due to predictive maintenance, and ensure overall system reliability. Just as importantly, this technology will help Procter & Gamble reduce capital and operating costs, whilst optimizing energy usage, making this facility more sustainable and productive.”
