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Customer Journey Vol.4

Problem Solving is an Art

n operations, problem solving is a very real part of every day. While the magnitude and scope of each problem may change, their existence, sadly, does not.

It’s this revelation that has recently led our leadership team to fundamentally change the way we look at problems. Not only the way we address them, but more importantly, the way we view them and even the way we talk about them.

We now pour our energy and focus into becoming exceptionally good at the Art of Problem Solving. As a management team, we have committed ourselves to becoming highly specialized and skilled problem solvers in each of our areas of responsibility.

I’m trusting that as you journey with us, you’ll enjoy seeing all the fruits of our exceptional problem-solving team’s labours as much as we’re enjoying implementing them! Regards,

Bronwynn Dreijer

PIMMS Group
COO
raw stores in factory

RAW STORES

Our Raw Stores have recently been upgraded to include a live central feeding system allowing us to better manage our raw materials & storing the stock per type in batches.

Machinery used for plastic moulding

IMM PLANTS

We have moved our first four injection moulding machines into IMM Plant 3. They are now operational and running.

Tool room with employees and machinery

TOOLROOM

Our Toolroom gantry has been installed. This will ensure a safer working environment for our staff and assets, whilst allowing for improved efficiency.

Assembly

ASSEMBLY

We have added a mezzanine floor to our assembly plant providing for a dedicated small components assembly area. The area below the mezzanine has been allocated as a dedicated assembly components store which will improve both assembly processes and traceability.

distribution of products in a truck by driver

DISTRIBUTION

We are in the process of updating our vehicle branding so that our fleet is easily identifiable when making deliveries. Our highly capable drivers are sent for appropriate training to ensure products are well cared for whilst in transit.

Design engineer designing a product on a laptop for a client

D & E

We have shifted our D&E team onto Fusion 360 which is a fully-connected product development system. It specializes in 3D CAD, CAM, and CAE. The team is enjoying its advanced capabilities.

Quality control staff member using scanner

SYSTEMS

We have relaunched our ERP manufacturing module which now allows us to efficiently and accurately track product movement across our plants via a barcoding and scanning system.

Plastic moulds

QUALITY

We have developed a dogbone mould which enables us to make samples of material received, so that we can test tensile and compression strength. This allows us to determine whether the material strength is in accordance with the required specifications.

group of employees gathering for a team culture event

CULTURE

Our management team attended the King Price Culture Tour & we have drawn great inspiration from them & are implementing some of their amazing key principles into our business.

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Veronique Stanley

Group CCO & Attorney

Before devoting all her time to PIMMS Group, Veronique O.C. Stanley practiced as a litigation attorney for 20 years and could be seen in the Johannesburg Labour Appeal Court, the Labour Court and the likes of the CCMA and Bargaining Councils. Although her title states CCO, her portfolio also includes the head of legal, head of marketing and head of HR. As much as Veronique is a black and white A-type personality, always insisting that PIMMS Group strives for legal compliance, she also has a very creative side wanting all customers to have an unfathomable manufacturing experience when they partner with PIMMS Group.

Stephen Stanley

Chief Executive Officer

Stephen is the founder of PIMMS Group which provides both services and product offerings to inventors in various industries to the man on the street. Stephen is a formidable entrepreneur with a tooling and engineering diploma under his belt. He has a passion for inventing amazing products which people will want to use whilst being an awesome husband and father to 2 amazing boys.

Product material research study

If you have an existing mould and you are unhappy with the moulded products, we invite you to consult with our engineering team. They can conduct a product material research study on your behalf at a reasonable fee to determine the requirements of your product, what the mechanical properties need to be, the weathering and UV stability needed, whether it’s an engineering application, whether it needs to be printed on, whether it needs to withstand chemical resistance and other considerations.

Mould Maintenance

We highly recommend performing services on moulds (just like servicing your vehicle once a year). We can receive the mould at our premises and undertaking the following:-

 

  • Open mould and clean both halves with degreasing fluid;
  • Strip off clamping plates, risers, ejector plates, springs and broken water connectors;
  • Check wear on pillars and bushes, ejectors, sleeve ejectors, push back pins, springs, slides and wear plates
  • Check condition of sprue bush, runners, gates, split lines and venting
  • Check working of each hot runner nozzle and manifold
  • Make a list of minor repairs like replacing worn ejectors, re-dressing of shut offs, opening venting channels, replacing water connectors, O-ring seals, and quote for labour and replacement parts.
  • Replace all listed parts as ordered and clean mould parts from oil, grease, cutting fluid, mechanics blue, shavings and water
  • Assemble mould using appropriate lubrication for all moving parts.
  • Do a water flow pressure test and a hot runner/manifold heating test with a suitable controller.
  • Run through the same preventative mould checklist before the mould is stored on the shelf.

Project management

Our clients refer to us as the “glue” that keeps their projects together and on track. Our developed insight into all necessary functions is integral to a clean development process. Our visual communication skills often become the “interpreters” between various departments of our corporate clients. Our qualified and professional team guides your product through the various checkpoints to ensure a successful outcome.

Intellectual property (IP)

We’re able to provide all CAD and drawing information you require to secure the IP for your product. We can also refer you to several IP legal service providers.

Graphic design

All bells and whistles accounted for! From branding to instruction manuals to marketing material, we offer a highly specialised graphic design service to account for your launch needs.

This includes:

  • Technical and user manuals
  • Branding
  • Decal designs
  • Animations and imagery
  • Sales brochures

 

Using the latest modern software lets us generate computer animations and images for websites, print, and any other related marketing materials.

Product packaging

Usually, packaging is the first product experience the end-user usually has with your product. It is critical! Yet, so often this design function is left to the last-minute and treated half-heartedly. We design excellent, product- and concept-specific packaging ensuring a valuable, memorable and complete end-user experience.

3D printing or prototyping

For this, an exceptionally important part of the development process, we have our own 3D printing machines, rapid prototyping machines, and workshop facilities. Outside facilities are also at our disposal, both locally and in China. We base the choice of prototype method not on our facilities, but rather on which prototype solution is best suited to the required task.

Experiential Prototyping

Preliminary Prototyping

Final Prototyping

Product design development

Our Product Design development cycle looks like this

  • Conceptual Design
  • Product Engineering (Detailed 3D CAD Design)
  • CAD Drafting
  • 3D CAD Modelling
  • 2D Specification Drawings
  • Photorealistic Visualization
  • 3D Product Animation
  • Design Clean-Up & Modification
  • Metal Component Replacement

Innovative problem solving

It takes a great amount of experience to solve problems in innovative ways. Good thing we’ve got oodles of the stuff. We provide insight into multi-discipline solutions, guiding you to the most cost-effective and viable decisions at every juncture. This creates a wonderfully clear direction early on in the development process. As we go, we explore how parts are manufactured, how they fit and fasten to one another and how they interact with any of the standard components in the design.

The IGC (Idea generation consultation)

At our IGC we sit with you over a brewed cup of coffee and brainstorm your idea.

Don’t be nervous, we’ll ask the important questions, draw sketches, strategise and assist with formulating a realistic budget.Don’t be nervous, we’ll ask the important questions, draw sketches, strategise and assist with formulating a realistic budget, and bring forward creative solutions to meet your requirements.

We offer product material options, manufacturing options and help you understand the project roadmap that will take your product from an idea to a tangible reality. We’ve got you!

Keeping your idea protected is paramount and we understand the need for confidentiality and trust. We love NDAs and are more than happy to sign one. In fact, we even have an NDA template if the dog ate yours.

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower

Steve Jobs.