Freudenberg Sealing Technologies (FST) is the world’s leading provider of high-quality sealing solutions. That is why the inhouse production of sealing materials is of major importance. They create the foundation for success in many industries. FST has a global network of mixing plants with standardized processes and state-of-the-art technologies. A virtual factory tour now offers a look behind the scenes.
ST’s Industrial Services Division is increasingly using digital services internally and externally. It is also using them to win over potential customers. They include online events, 3D animation and virtual tours on the company’s website that were jointly developed with Lead Centers and production facilities. The first virtual tour through the Freudenberg Xpress® Production and Technology Center in Schwalmstadt highlights the process from the idea to the finished seal. “The tour was very well received. So we upped the ante and now are inviting our customers virtually into the Weinheim Mixing Facility, whose compounds have applications in nearly all sealing products,” said Lars Haug, Marketing Manager, Industrial Services. He has talked to other Lead Centers about setting up tours of their facilities and making the company’s broad product and service competency come alive.
Markus Weber, who has supervised production in the mixing facility since June 2021, recently took a moment to look back: “We had heard of the idea of virtual manufacturing tours, and we immediately liked it. Especially during a pandemic, but also under normal circumstances, it is sometimes hard to organize group visits to the mixing facility.” Some of the processes, such as the rolling and re-rolling of the sheets, are very noisy. There is also little space between the machines.
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There have been massive investments and extensive digitalization of processes at the mixing plant in the last few months, so the situation lent itself to the creation of a virtual tour. A new, fully automatic weighing system, transport robots, and mobile end-devices for administrative work on the shop floor show the viewers how advanced and digitalized the mixing processes now are. “For us, it is extremely important to be able to demonstrate to our internal and external customers how we work and what has been done here recently. And do it without the visitors having to set foot inside the mixing plant,” Weber said. Haug added: “We want to give people a look behind the scenes and showcase FST’s expertise.”
The FST Academy is also using the videos for training. The sessions can offer a picture of the mixing process. “The mixing plant offers a very nice thematic beginning, and there will be a continuation featuring more virtual tours. Everything starts with the precursors and moves forward from there into the molding process in the Lead Centers. The precursors thus hold a special importance in FST’s world,” Haug said. “That’s another reason that we have to keep the risks low, especially during the pandemic, and not bring a chain of infection into the mixing plant,” Weber said.
The virtual tours also offer added value for internal audits. “A large share of the work in an audit involves wrestling with paper. As an aid in their work, the auditors can have cameras display the processes.” The approach offers new customers the possibility of seeing the entire supply chain. The customers who view the processes in the mixing facility – either virtually or in real life – vary greatly. They can be from outside the company or even internal visitors such as new employees, sales staff or communication specialists. They generally have one thing in common: They only have a rough understanding of the processes.
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The amount of detail varies in the two versions now available. For example, to safeguard the company’s expertise, the weighing system is not visible to outsiders. But there is a complete version of the video available to internal viewers. The field sales staff also has an off-line version. When necessary, it can function without an Internet connection during visits to customers.
The 360-degree videos lack audio but have text descriptions. That means they can, for example, be presented on the web or during training since they speak for themselves. Naturally, presenters can provide more information orally.
How long does it take to produce this kind of virtual factory tour? “Two-and-one-half days of shooting for video, the 360-degree sequences and photos, along with drone shots inside and out. The main work was in the can after that,” Haug said.
A virtual “Mixing Facility Tour” was already used during the “Digital Pharma Dialogue” event in November 2021.
This takes you to the virtual tour: https://on.fst.com/3rNMhAH
