3-Way Solutions Site Visit: Going Paperless in Manufacturing

From Paper to Digital: Lessons from 3-Way Solutions’ Industry 4.0 Journey

A chilly start, a warm welcome

Despite the rain, wind, and a rather bracing Christchurch morning, there was a full turnout at 3-Way Solutions in Bromley on Tuesday 19 August. It was heartening to see so many familiar faces, and some new ones, braving the weather to learn more about how one of our local manufacturers is rethinking their operations and embracing a paperless approach. 

Shifting from paperwork to possibilities

Our hosts, Bill Verstappen and Dean Worner, welcomed us not just into their workshop but into their way of thinking. Their story was shared with great honesty, and what struck me was that this was not simply about adopting new technology. It was about a shift in mindset across he company. Going paperless for them has been a smart, practical, and very real solution to the increasing compliance requirements that all of us in manufacturing face.  For 3WS this change in thinking was shaped with their large numbers of work packages each month, and their offshore customers setting a high compliance bar. The benefits they have seen in streamlining processes, improving data accuracy, and making real-time reporting a day-to-day reality were impressive and, when combined with increased productivity and profitability,  I suspect, quite relatable to many in the room.

Industry 4.0 in action

Adding to this was an excellent session from James Leek of LMAC, who walked us through Industry 4.0 and Callaghan Innovation’s guide to Manufacturing Execution Systems. James grounded his presentation with I4.0 examples and practical takeaways that fitted the 3WS story beautifully. Afterward, we split into groups, some getting into the nuts and bolts of the factory floor, through a factory tour, while others explored ProfitFab, the ERP system at the heart of their paperless transformation. For me, what stood out was how seamlessly the digital tools have been integrated into day-to-day operations, from scheduling right through to compliance. Everyone I spoke to afterward left with fresh ideas, new questions, and a genuine sense of inspiration.

Taking the learnings forward

If you would like to explore more events like this, take a look at our What’s On page  for details of upcoming workshops, site visits, and training opportunities. And if your business is looking at its own next steps in manufacturing, compliance,  lean / continuous improvement or digital transformation, please feel free to get in touch with me directly. I am always happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction.

— John