Scott Ruhe is President and CEO of JC Ford, Co., an OEM that provides a wide range of tortilla and tortilla chip production equipment.
In just 1 hour, JC Ford’s energy-efficient lines can produce as many as 7000 dozen tortillas, 4000 pounds of tortilla chips, and 4000 dozen taco shells or tostadas. They build their equipment with quality materials and the latest technologies, all designed to meet the industry’s highest standards.
Scott Ruhe
President and CEO, JC Ford, Co
Insights to Improve Decision Making and Product Quality
As part of a new capability, JC Ford has developed an application built on the PTC ThingWorx Industrial Internet of Things Platform to help customers access operating data for improved decision making and product quality. PTC is a Rockwell Automation Strategic Alliance Partner.
“As an equipment supplier, we have the luxury to walk into facilities and see what some companies are doing better than others and learn from those environments,” Scott says. “Now, with this application, we’re giving our customers the same capability with a dashboard that provides a vision of how their line is performing both in their individual operation and how it compares to industry standards.”
The application allows customers to monitor and measure yield outcomes based on raw materials use, including corn, oil and moisture, and then determine how grain quality, seasonal changes, efficiencies, and other factors are impacting those yields. They can also monitor energy and labor usage.
“Customers can start first with an individual line, examine the overall numbers, put the KPIs for each data piece, and determine the standard for that line. They can see how it’s performing from their office or phone,” Scott explains. “Then, let's say they have 7 or 15 lines across the U.S., they can create standards for each location, monitor their efficiencies, and hold everyone accountable.”
With increased data access, customers can better manage resource consumption and lower materials costs while maintaining product quality. Further, with advancements in energy monitoring technologies, these customers can meet growing consumer and regulatory demands for more sustainable operations by uncovering opportunities to reduce energy needs and related carbon impacts.
Better Service and Support
Manufacturers won’t be the only ones that benefit from the ability to monitor line and machine performance. JC Ford will too. Most of the OEM’s business, about 80%, is from repeat customers.
“That’s mainly driven by after purchase support. Now, with the data dashboards and remote access to our systems, we can provide customers with even better service and guidance, and at the end of day, reduce their downtime,” Scott says. “Additionally, the information we acquire from customer yields and efficiencies will help us improve our equipment. Everybody benefits.”
