Genrec Engineering
Bar Code Tracking with STRUMIS provides much needed traceability for Genrec Eng.(PTY)Ltd
Bar code data-collection systems provide enormous benefits throughout the manufacturing and processing phases of fabrication and Murray & Roberts subsidiary company – Genrec, in particular are cleverly extending these benefits further by tracking individual items within large scale projects. This bar code data-collection solution enables faster and more accurate data capturing with lower costs, minimised mistakes and easier data management through the STRUMIS system including site materials and piece tracking.
A successful installation eases fabrication management
With Genrec’s principal RSA steel fabrication site in Wadeville covering over 55,000m2 of undercover workshops and open areas the tracking of materials and fabricated items can become a major issue. The long time users of the STRUMIS system made the natural decision to extend shop floor feedback automation through bar coding for an optimised workflow and real time tracking. This well proven implementation has been highly successful for quite some time and has shown real benefits in terms of processing steel through production efficiently and gaining the most out of the management solution system; STRUMIS.
Overcoming the growing pains
Following successes in several large projects around the world, Genrec has become the main contract steelwork fabricator for a substantial domestic infrastructure project. This project alone has resulted in the need for them to develop their own onsite fabrication facilities alongside the creation of a lay down storage area covering an area larger than that of five soccer pitches.
The sheer size of this storage area created a number of traceability issues for both raw materials and fabricated items and as such Genrec approached us to see if it was possible to create a way of implementing the bar coding through STRUMIS into their new onsite process to enable complete onsite traceability.
GPS location of items enables accurate location on demand
Following this bespoke development work between Genrec and the STRUMIS team, STRUMIS is now able to use the bar code tracking functionality via a specially designed interface to track all site movement of materials and fabricated items.
Initially; the brief given by Genrec required the ability to scan items into the Production Delivery notes to define that these items were leaving the fabrication facility and headed for the site. Once the shipment is then received at the site the items are then scanned again as a confirmation of receipt and to ensure that they have not been lost during transit. At the point of confirmation STRUMIS will recognise the location, including GPS coordinates, for easy onsite traceability throughout the entire construction process.
Conclusion
The GPS location within the STRUMIS system is a phenomenal advantage to any large fabricator and Genrec are now looking to initiate this high level of tracking into their inventories of other materials. Speaking on behalf of Genrec a spokesman commented ‘with STRUMIS we have a system that enables us to manage projects from start to finish. Now with the extended bar coding functionality and the automation that this delivers we are able to benefit from the system more and more throughout our projects.’
About Genrec
Genrec, part of leading engineering and contracts group Murray & Roberts, offers a unique combination of engineering disciplines in its field of operation. A comprehensive range of services is provided from structural steel fabrication and erection, to heavy fabrication and machining. Genrec covers the full spectrum of engineering, structural detailing, procurement, fabrication and construction. The combination of manufacturing, construction and site management services, provide clients with a one-stop service.
Genrec has a geographical focus that extends to Africa and the Middle East but has undertaken projects across Canada, America and Australia. The business has a vision to remain an internationally recognised steel fabricator that achieves success in its projects undertaken through its dedicated team of people.
Situated in Wadeville, just outside of Johannesburg, South Africa, Genrec’s facility has more than 55,000m2 of undercover workshops and open areas equipped with the latest systems, CNC equipments, welding processes as well as high volume blasting and painting resources spanning 19,500m2.
About STRUMIS
STRUMIS is an all encompassing steel fabrication management information system that harnesses the information flow and work processes through the steelwork contract between departments, suppliers and clients; from estimate tendering, through procurement and production and into construction. STRUMIS steel fabrication management software is for engineering and fabrication companies who are looking to implement a dedicated fabrication management information system to manage across a workshop, all departments including multiple sites or even across supply chains.