Tag: machinery

Sustainability Through Shared Access of Machinery

Written on by frain-sales

Frain’s commitment to sustainability through shared access began in 1984 when Mr. Richard Frain developed Refco Investments: a part of Frain that provides an innovative rental program and a traditional capital equipment leasing program. Through this sector, Mr. Frain changed the direction of the company’s carbon footprint, and unknowingly created an outline for what is now known as a shared economy.

According to David L. Chandler of MIT News Office, “production of a ton of steel generates almost two tons of CO2 emissions…” Repurposing Frain’s equipment back into the work place- or through shared access of machinery- saves 686,000 pounds of new machinery, and 433 tons of greenhouse emissions in one year [2015]. Our climate controlled warehouse further increases the repurposing life span, and the quality of equipment we introduce to our clients.

“This [green effort] is a perception of the company that is not known.” states James Mallory- Senior Engineer at Frain Industries, “Our commitment to sustainability comes directly through shared access, and highly impacts the way this company runs.”

Mr. Mallory sheds light on a widespread phenomenon known as a shared economic model and its connection to environmental success. For those unfamiliar with the term, a shared economy allows individuals to borrow or rent assets, primarily of high value, in substitute of a purchase. As interest in ownership diminishes, the popularity of shared access continues to rise. Companies- like Frain- push for quick and reliable access of products and services that are environmentally conscience.

Shared access of machinery saves:

  • 1,238 machines
  • 6,196 parts
  • 13 tons of machinery
  • 3 tons of test materials

Building on the foundation Mr. Frain created, and understanding the simultaneous impact it has on the company, Frain is rapidly increasing green efforts by reducing waste, repurposing equipment, recycling materials, increasing awareness through summits like the Uber Revolution Pack Summit, and providing resources like Uberization: Maximizing Idle Assets.

 

Resources:

https://news.mit.edu/2013/steel-without-greenhouse-gas-emissions-0508

The Outsider

Written on by Rich Frain

Are you just a project manager?

Or are you a project manager…and a plant engineer…and a maintenance manager…and an HVAC troubleshooter…

…and a half dozen other miscellaneous functions?

This makes for an exciting life, but it’s not conducive to good project management. Project management can’t be done properly with 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there, and 2 hours somewhere else. It requires fairly large blocks of time to be done right. Complex projects may require 100% dedication.

But few plants have that luxury these days.

Some companies have corporate project managers. They will take the project onboard, develop it, and then drop the completed project into your lap. The idea here is to take the workload off your plate. It does relieve some workload, but it also takes away control. You may wind up with a new line that may not be what you needed. Even with a corporate project manager, you still need to be involved.

Let’s say you have years of experience with bottled juices, but now your company wants to make a “powder in a pouch” line extension.

You get assigned.

Buying a new liquid line might be a lot of work, but you know what you’re doing and can do it well. You’ve never worked with powders before and don’t know where to start.

You could figure it out if you had the time.

You don’t.

The clock is already ticking.

Very few of us (especially us guys) like to ask for help. We feel that it’s viewed as an admission that we don’t know what we are doing.

Well, sometimes we don’t know. Or we don’t have time.

This is when you need to call in an outsider’s help. An outsider can be solely dedicated to the project. An outsider will have the specialized expertise needed. An outsider will have seen other companies’ successes and failures. An outsider will have the broad knowledge needed to select the most appropriate machinery.

An outsider will make you look good. And that’s what you really need, isn’t it?

At Frain Industries, we are dedicated to making you look good. Visit our website at www.fraingroup.com or call us at 1-630-629-9900.

Next time you are in the Chicago area, stop by for a tour.

Coffee is on us.