Visual management boards are fast becoming the norm in food factories looking to implement 5S or lean management.
Because of this, there are now a large range of options to choose from and not all are created equal.
We have put together a list of things you need to know before making your board purchase – understanding this will allow you to make the most cost effective choice for your situation
- Understand what material the visual management board is made out of. This is really important as will have the greatest economic benefit if you choose the correct board material. The best option to maximise the life of your board (especially in an environment that is being cleaned daily with chemicals) is to have zero moisture absorption, then coated in an anti-scuff laminate.
- For the best durability you want the boards to be printed directly, not printing done on a vinyl that is then applied to the board. All printing should be protected by a heat applied laminate that is matt finish, scuff resistant and also resistant to chemicals and water blasting as commonly experienced in the food industry. Vinyl applied to the board with laminate on top of that means these two layers are quite thick and more likely to be damaged or delaminate over time. Whereas a printed board with laminate that is heat pressed on provides a harder, more durable finish that is far less likely to peel off.
- The hooks need to be durable so they can’t bend or break, are corrosion-resistant and easy to clean. You really can’t go past 304 grade stainless for durability in a Food Factory. The hooks are best to be secured to the board with bolts that sandwich the board as opposed to rivets as this is far stronger. We recommend the hooks are secured at two points to ensure they do not twist on the board. For ultimate hygiene, make sure there are no exposed threads from bolts that secure the hooks to the board.
- Think about how you want to clean behind the boards for maintenance and hygiene before giving them to your engineer to put up. There are mounting options such as hinge kits, stand-off mounts and even magnets available to enable you to remove the board easily, clean behind it and put the board back in place. These may be a better long-term solution for high hygiene areas rather than directly fixing the board to the wall and using silicone to seal it as silicone can become unhygienic over time.
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If you would like help with any of these aspects, please reach out to our team by filling in the form below and we will be back in touch with you ASAP.