Kenay Ltd

Kenay Ltd, a manufacturer of serviettes, table skirts, bathmats, and similar paper-based products, has reached its 25-year milestone. The company offers personalised products through a variety of paper grades and custom printed artwork. Generally, orders range from 13 to 100 cases of any given product, suitable for businesses such as individual pubs through to independent restaurants and groups.

 

Challenge

Kenay Ltd has identified several concerns and areas for improvement, including the need for a new plant, with solutions already underway. However, outdated documentation and information control remains a key concern, needing modernisation and digitisation to boost efficiency and reduce risk throughout processes.

The Horizons team at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) have undergone in-depth discussions in addition to a premises tour to identify opportunities for improvement, including factory layout. 

One of the identified issues the team could support included a large, poorly identified ink stock, which could become better managed to enhance company value. Digitising handwritten information would also increase efficiency and support expansion.

 

Solutions

The LJMU Horizons team proposed activities to optimise the factory layout before a new manufacturing line arrives, focusing on scanning and analysis. They recommended B2B introductions and demonstrations to enhance efficiency and reduce risks, paving the way for future growth. A report highlighted opportunities to modernise operations with digital technology and suggested suitable stock-taking systems.

The team also suggested workspace layout optimisation, using iPads for automation, installing sensors for ink management, and automating the final packing process to align with increased production speeds.

A detailed scheme for better managing stock addressed physical and administrative needs to improve capability and enable better predictions for product shelf life. Kenay Ltd’s recent purchase of a new serviette manufacturing machine will require space and lead to the decommissioning of two older machines, offering advanced printing capabilities.

 

Impact

Implementing new processes and practices for documentation control and stock management will reduce risks at Kenay Ltd and create opportunities to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Modernising documentation practices will minimise errors and streamline operations. Transforming information into a digital format and implementing an organised document control will enhance data management and decision-making whilst facilitating effective disaster recovery.

Enhancing stock storage and management will increase inventory accuracy and reduce waste, whilst implementing technology solutions like sensors and barcoding in the future will improve stock tracking and control further, optimising resources and reducing costs.

These improvements will position Kenay Ltd for future growth by creating a more efficient, reliable, and scalable operation, enabling better customer service and market expansion.

 

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