Audit proves Case for excavator hub

Case Construction Equipment received Bronze Level World Class Manufacturing (WCM) certification for its European excavator hub in San Mauro, Italy.

The award, which was the result of an independent audit, follows investment in transforming the facility into a flagship production site for excavators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

WCM is one of the global manufacturing industry’s highest standards for the integrated management of manufacturing plants and processes.

It is a pillar-structured system based on continuous improvement, designed to eliminate waste and loss from the production process by identifying objectives such as zero injuries, zero defects, zero breakdowns and zero waste.

The plant achieved the certification for its successful implementation of the Focus Improvement pillar, which drives the other pillars in managing projects to reduce and eliminate losses at the site in terms of productivity and material. The plant also demonstrated further strengths in a number of Managerial Pillars within the WCM programme.

The San Mauro plant recently underwent an extensive redevelopment including the introduction of crawler excavators with Sumitomo technology. The plant produces crawler excavators for the European markets, wheeled excavators for EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America, and mini excavators for worldwide distribution.

Giacomo Stella, San Mauro plant manager, said: “The WCM approach has meant a smooth introduction of new products and practices at the plant. Every member of the production team is involved in the process.”