Innovation and a good work environment
The secret behind TYRI’s success and low staff turnover
With its 200 dedicated employees worldwide, TYRI manufactures around 1,300,000 units per year and, all of its manufacturing is demand-driven, customised and quality-assured. Success lies in the company’s competent production management, a work atmosphere that foster collaboration, a steady flow of orders and use of robotics. On that solid foundation, the production line is being expanded to meet the steady increase in demand. Jimmy Nordén, Factory Manager at TYRI Sweden, proudly tells about the work and efforts of his team.
Jimmy Nordén has been working as factory manager and the head of TYRI’s production for nine years. It’s an exciting job, where he constantly meets new challenges involving opportunities to acquire new skills.
“I started out as a designer the first year I worked at TYRI. After that, I was offered the position as factory manager. It’s interesting and exciting work that I truly enjoy. This is where it all happens, out on the factory floor, where we create our products. It’s particularly fun and satisfying to be a part of the company’s success and rapid growth, meeting the challenge of constantly adapting production based on that,” says Jimmy Nordén, Factory Manager at TYRI.
TYRI currently manufactures around 300,000 lights per year at its factory in Gothenburg and Jimmy anticipates a 30 percent increase over the next year. If he’s right, it would push the number to 400,000 lights produced in 2020. Over the last few years TYRI as a global group has put a lot of focus on finding the optimal work flow for efficient production, while still maintaining a healthy work environment, with a pace that everyone can handle.
“It’s important for everyone in the team to feel secure with the pace and our routines. We’ve found a way of creating an even flow that is efficient, without it causing undo stress on our employees. We’ve also implemented a rotating schedule for our work tasks. It adds variety and enables our employees to develop new skills by working in different parts of the production line. We’re a fantastic team, where everyone is equally important and appreciated. Staff turnover is very low and our employees stay for many years because they thrive here.
Modern technology
TYRI is constantly updating its manufacturing process with the latest technology. The production team also typically comes up with own solutions to the challenges they encounter by finding and creating their own tools or implementing changes as needed. For example, using a 3D printer, TYRI manufactured a fixture that the light is attached to throughout the manufacturing process. Afterwards, it is easily connected to a test machine for testing both function and light capacity.
More recently, collaborative robots have also been integrated into the production process.
“We’re always striving to improve the work situation, automating certain manual tasks like screwing, applying glue and selecting materials. If a worker does those tasks, light after light, it becomes very repetitive. Now, we are lightening the burden of such tasks by using robots. Our collaborative robots are a form of modern technology that increases safety, since the robot stops whenever you touch or move it. With these robots, we are able to not only increase comfort, but also maintain a high level of efficiency without the risk of an accident that might otherwise result when working very close to a robot,” says Jimmy.
Flexible, quality assured production
When developing a new design and new products, tests are always conducted in TYRI’s lab. But, the company’s careful quality control doesn’t end there. All products are tested continuously at the factory during assembly. Assembly technicians check each lamp, immediately removing any products that don’t meet the high quality standards. But Jimmy says that what really makes TYRI stand out is it focus on the customer and flexibility.
“We are constantly putting our very best effort into always meeting customer requirements and adapting the product or service accordingly. That applies to all aspects, whether it’s delivery requirements or a customised design resulting from collaboration with the development department. It’s work that is both stimulating and fun, but above all it requires that we constantly remain updated on the latest technology and knowledge,” concludes Jimmy.
