New system for block manufacturing
Rinker Materials’ block manufacturing business in Florida - part of the Florida Materials Division - is testing a new system to track and report downtime and maintenance activity at plants.
The newly developed system continuously monitors block production, recording the cycle speed, operating hours and number of production cycles.
When production is interrupted, the system automatically records the time and duration of each stoppage. Once production is resumed, the system automatically records the downtime. The plant crew can then attach a reason for the downtime by simply pushing a button on the machine.
The most useful aspect of the system is that all of the downtime, production, and maintenance data are available online. Each plant has over 20 different performance metrics that can be downloaded several times a day. With the new system, block production managers can see comparative data from 30 different plants on a daily basis instead of waiting until the end of the month.
Initial testing was completed in the new West Fort Pierce block plant. The block manufacturing group is now ordering and installing the system in all new plants statewide.
Acacia House
Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s inner west recently built a retreat for patients at the new Brain Dynamics Center (BDC) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) clinics. Readymix was more than happy to help.
The center, called Acacia House, includes a comfortable place where patients can wait or recover from treatment. It also provides a place for parents and families to spend time while their children are undergoing examinations and participating in research.
Mental health disorders have a devastating impact on the individual, family and community, affecting up to one in five Australians. The team at the BDC and PTSD units hope to shed light on the workings of the human brain and brain-related disorders.
The BDC and PTSD units are a multi-disciplinary team of researchers and clinicians with current studies including Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder and Anorexia Nervosa. The current focus of both units is adolescent health.
Readymix donated the concrete needed to build the retreat.
Supporting our young people
By supporting the Beacon Foundation, Readymix continues to help young people develop themselves during their critical teenage years.
Part of our support is attending the No Dole functions at the schools where Beacon is active.
No Dole functions include charter signing days that allow students to pledge themselves to further education or training as well as to voice their career ambitions. Each student signs a flag size banner as part of their commitment.
The recent No Dole charter signing day at Doonside Technology High, Rooty Hill, NSW, was attended by 10th grade students, teachers, family, Blacktown council and members of the local business community.
Principal Peter Garrard welcomed special guest speakers Liz Ellis, Captain of the Australian and Sydney Swifts netball teams, Julian Mostert of the Beacon Foundation and Scott Jacobson from Readymix. Special guests also signed the banner.
Scott spoke to students about the Readymix business, our association with Beacon Foundation and the way Readymix can help with ongoing support of the No Dole program.
“The charter signing was followed by a morning tea which gave me anopportunity to speak with the principal and many of the teachers,” says Scott. “Everyone was very appreciative of our involvement and ongoing support for the students and school.”
