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"I’ve been a slitter at Armor for ten years, and for the past two years, I’ve been in control of the four robotized workstations. These machines allow fast slitting of large quantities of rolls (up to 6,000 rolls per day and per workstation!). The fact that these machines were installed is also the result of thinking about how working conditions could be improved. When a manufacturing order arrives, the barcode is scanned: the slitting parameters are immediately displayed. The slitter carries out visual checks and makes any necessary modifications. He then positions the Thermal Transfer jumbo in the slitting machine, and makes sure it is doing its job correctly. In the event of a malfunction or a problem with the raw materials, we move the robot to return it to its initial position. Once the rolls have been correctly split, they are sent to packaging."
"All our cartridges are guaranteed until the end of their life. A customer encountering a quality problem with a laser cartridge contacts the Armor Hot Line. The hotline operators at our call centre carry out an initial diagnosis and suggest a solution to the customer (troubleshooting, manipulation or exchange of the cartridge). Should no solution be found, the call is transferred to me. My role: to get the customer up and running as quickly as possible, by resolving the problem by telephone, or by sending out a maintenance technician within eight hours, or by offering a direct exchange. To identify the fault, I try to get as much information as possible from the customer: what type of paper is being used, which print mode, the batch number, the equipment… I’ve been at Armor since 1974, so I’m lucky to have been familiar with all the laser cartridges we sell for as long as they’ve existed, and, even though they are increasingly complex, this remains a significant technical asset. I do sometimes go out to customers to offer the benefit of my expertise and to reassure them – sometimes even travelling abroad".
"We have two types of coating machine here: solvent coating machines and wax coating machines. Not to mention the MGV (Machine à Grande Vitesse - High Speed Machine), which is capable of inking 27,500 metres of ribbon an hour! I’m versatile; I work on each of these machines. My job is to supply the machine’s with virgin PET, to fill the ink tanks and to ensure that the ink is well distributed on the film. On some machines, cameras automatically detect faults (lack of ink, folds, etc.). In this case, I have to fill out a mapping of the anomaly to signal the exact position of the fault, so as to alert the slitting workshop, which will discard this zone. On the other machines, this check is visual. The job of the coating operator demands vigilance and concentration, so that the machine runs optimally and the finished product is high-quality!"
"I am responsible in particular for laser technology supplies, in conjunction with our production unit in Morocco. Depending on customer orders, I make sure that the finished products are available, and that stocks are adequate. The most difficult thing remains finding empty cartridges for remanufacturing – this raw material is very much sought-after. My job is at the interface between production and commercialization. I am in direct contact, of course, with the production facility in Morocco, as well as with the forecasters who anticipate future orders, marketing, R&D, and the Purchasing, Quality and Sales Departments, to inform them about delivery lead times. In order to do my job, I have to be familiar with the whole process, keeping track of all the various flows, as well as the Supply Chain. I’m lucky to have held several different posts here, since I arrived at Armor."
"Being a formulation engineer is a bit like being a specialist in chemical mixtures and interactions! I’m positioned at the start of the chain for the design of a product, which I then accompany throughout the production cycle. I make sure I find the ideal mix of different raw materials (pigments, resins, waxes, additives, etc.) to attain the performance level defined by a technical specification. On a small scale, I conduct all the stages necessary to the manufacture of a TT ribbon: manufacture of the inks, coating and slitting of the ribbons. Over and above this role of chemist, I am, first and foremost, Head of Projects – that is, responsibility of meeting deadlines and performance requirements defined in the specification. This mission of leading projects also entails defining the areas of work, leading meetings, working in close collaboration with the various departments of the industrial site, and so on. I particularly enjoy the strategic role, the ‘creative’ and innovative part of my job!"
"My job can be summed up in a single sentence: carrying out the preparation and packaging of products, on the right day, in compliance with customer demands and without any errors! The cartridges come from our Moroccan or Polish production facilities. They are stored in our 1,600 m² warehouse, then sent out to customers. We receive almost 335 pallets every week, which is a considerable amount.
As Warehouse Manager, I’m also responsible for employee safety: the combinations of people and trucks has to be managed, as does the internal flow, and so on. Within the context of our ISO 14001 process, we are also careful to reduce our packing materials, our energy and paper consumption (for example, by automating reception), etc. In 2009, my team dispatched one million laser cartridges – a record! In 2010, we expect to break this record by taking it up to 1.5 million!"
"Until 2005, Armor purchased ready-made machines for production. Faced with the Group’s rising success, we need to develop these machines and add specifications. Today, we control their manufacture from A to Z – which has the benefit of integrating our permanent concern for improving working conditions, and the health of our employees, a long way upstream. As Industrialization Manager, I manage a team of about ten people (automation specialists, engineers, etc.). Our role is to create and optimize machines to produce the quality demanded at the best possible cost. We always have to be at the cutting edge of innovation, new processes… Badly-designed mechanics will have a negative impact on the company. Nothing can be left to chance!"
"Together with my development team, we imagine the future products of the Armor laser range on the basis of the empty cartridges we recover, and the demands of the market. After dismantling and cleaning the cartridge, we test the new components (powder, cylinder, photoconductor, microchips, etc.). The length of the study depends on the complexity of the products. We always have to keep bang up to date with the latest technologies, so as to be the first to offer a high-quality recycled cartridge on the market, without infringing patents. Once the cartridge is ready, we test it to measure its performance, properties, and lifespan. Once the go-ahead is given, the production team take over, with our technical support. We are always developing around twenty products, and our objective is to release 50 new cartridges in 2010. An exciting challenge!"
"In the workshop, I’m involved throughout the slitting and packaging process, from the supply of components, to production and storage of finished products. Internally, I am, in a way, the customer’s relay! My role is to assist production in the manufacture of a product that is compliant with specifications at the end of the line (dimensions, visual aspects, etc.). In order to do so, I carry out, for example, daily checks on the products and on the raw materials, in accordance with a precise standard. I also make or guide decisions when faced with non-compliant or debatable products. In the event of non-compliance, the products are isolated in what we call the quality zone, and are subjected to analysis (seriousness and cause of the fault). Lastly, I identify and I lead improvement actions on product quality. I monitor indicators so as to set up corrective actions, and I lead working groups with production and other support departments. To limit rejects, quality must remain constant! On the ground, this translates into being extremely demanding, and knowing how to communicate this to others. This strong element of human relationships is very interesting, on an everyday basis."
"On a daily basis, I am the interface between the customer and the company, in co-ordination with the Commercial Managers for the South-West and the Paris Region. My job mainly consists of: communication of information, administrative and commercial processing, management of customer files, calls for tenders, logistical and accountancy liaison, and complying with commercial agreements. These tasks allow me to develop my competences in several different fields. I also contribute to the company’s image, by applying Armor promotions and commitments, such as the environment and sustainable development. Via prospecting, I now have more frequent contact with cartridge users, and we observe that the act of purchasing compatibles has evolved. We sell a sustainable development-oriented product that is less expensive than original cartridges". |
