Towel manufacturer, Stott and Smith* has invested in a fully computerised check weighing and liquid dispensing system for its dyehouse. The equipment, supplied by Ozark Systems, is expected to pay for itself in less than 12 months.

Right: A selection of Chortex brand towels  

The new hardware replaced existing, but outdated, checkweigh and recipe management systems. It also improved the handling of liquid chemicals used in the preparation and finishing of the company's towels.

Stott and Smith, based in Bolton, UK, is part of Coats Viyella, and manufactures the Chortex brand of towels as well as its own brand for retailers such as Marks & Spencer. In the new system, dyes are stored in rack-mounted packages located on either side of the weighing unit. This consists of a mobile,downflow trolley and a precision electronic balance for weighing the dyes. The use of a barcode means that only the correct dye can be selected for the particular batch. The Ozark Systems screen prompts the operator to weigh the dye to within pre-set tolerances. These have already been established by the central recipe management system. Ten liquid chemicals are added with a volumetric dispensing system linked to four continuous process applications - including bleach, cold pad preparation and soft handle finishing.

Along with the recipes, the central management system maintains costings for finished jobs, production and stock reports. All of the company's dyehouse operations are integrated into management information packages.

The above article is reproduced here by kind permission of World Textile Publications Limited

(* In February 2001 Stott & Smith became the subject of a management buyout, and is now Chortex Limited, an independently owned company exporting towels worldwide)

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