Mint Ltd, established in 2010, has carved a niche and rapidly established itself as the pre-eminent provider of innovative retail displays, windows and pop-up spaces. Serving high-profile clients in the luxury retail, skincare, and beauty sectors, Mint focuses on creating impactful bespoke solutions and brand experiences while emphasising sustainability and local production by leveraging local supply chains. With 12 years of dedicated service to the retail industry, Mint designs and manufactures up to 90% of its products in-house in the UK, adhering to eco-friendly practices. Their dedication to quality and innovation has positioned them as a leader in creating impactful retail environments. “We are constantly evolving along with our clients’ needs and striving to exceed expectations to ensure that we design, produce and deliver each project to the highest possible standard and quality. All designs are made with the planet in mind. We pride ourselves on offering a UK-based sustainable supply” said Stephen Hughes Managing Director.
Challenge:
As Mint Ltd expanded its client base and project scope, the need for increased production efficiency and quality became evident to meet the increasing demand for customised retail installations, the company faced significant challenges and Mint required technology that could overcome these:
· Need for Precision: high-end retail clients require precise and high-quality craftsmanship in their displays, necessitating exact cutting of materials like plastics and polystyrene.
· Scalability Issues: the growing number of projects and complexity of designs called for enhanced production capabilities that could not be met with manual processes alone.
· Sustainability Commitments: Mint aimed to maintain its sustainability standards while scaling up production, which required advanced technology that could minimise waste and optimise material usage.
Solution and Implementation:
Mint Ltd chose to integrate AXYZ routers into their manufacturing process, having exclusively used AXYZ’s technology from the outset with the Pacer series of machines. The decision was driven by the routers’ reliability, the strong support from AXYZ and the advanced features such as camera registration that significantly enhance precision and efficiency. Mint Ltd’s long-standing partnership with AXYZ provided a clear pathway to addressing these challenges through the adoption of advanced CNC routers. “We have only ever used AXYZ machines; we would not use another supplier. We are familiar with the technology and have a great relationship with AXYZ. Reliability is first class”, said Stephen Hughes.
The decision to use AXYZ’s technology was based on several factors:
Implementation and Results:
The AXYZ routers have been instrumental in automating the cutting of plastic and polystyrene materials, a critical part of Mint’s production. This automation has led to several key improvements:
1. Increased Productivity and Efficiency: the camera registration technology has minimised errors and reduced setup times, streamlining the production process, allowing for quicker transitions between different production runs and allowing Mint to handle larger volumes and more complex projects with faster turnaround times.
2. Cost Savings and Increased Profitability: With shorter setup times and reduced material spoilage, Mint has observed significant cost savings. These efficiencies have translated into increased profitability, enabling them to invest in further growth and innovation, thereby lowering costs and supporting Mint’s sustainability objectives.
3. Enhanced Product Quality: The precision of the AXYZ routers ensures that each piece is cut with exacting standards, leading to higher-quality final products that meet the demands of Mint’s high-end clientele. The advanced routing capabilities enabled more intricate and personalised designs, providing Mint with a competitive edge in bespoke retail solutions.
4. Positive Impact on Workforce: The introduction of AXYZ routers has been well-received by Mint’s employees. Automation has not only eased the physical demands of production but also allowed staff to focus on more skilled aspects of the manufacturing process. Employees were trained to operate the new technology, which not only increased job satisfaction through skill enhancement but also added value to Mint’s workforce.
5. Maintenance and Support: Mint’s proactive approach in setting up comprehensive service agreements with AXYZ ensured that the machines were regularly serviced and maintained, avoiding potential disruptions in their production cycle.
The INFINITE
The most recent acquisition was the purchase of three INFINITE routers, two of them were the 4008 size Infinite with 7G Auto tool change and the other was slightly larger 4010 size. The INFINTIE is a highly configurable CNC machine that is suitable for one-off, small batch production as well as high volume and high productivity applications, including woodworking, plastic fabrication, engineering plastic machining and so much more. For a wide range of routing operations, one can choose from high-speed spindles ranging from 5HP to 15HP. For knife cutting, choose from a tangential knife, which can be used for creasing and folding applications or an oscillating knife which can be used to process soft goods material.
Future Outlook:
While the current focus remains on optimising the use of existing machinery, Mint faces challenges related to rapid expansion, such as space constraints and the need for more machines and staff. The future might include further integration of automation technologies as part of their scaling strategy, although specific plans are still under development. Strategic planning is ongoing, with a focus on maintaining agility in operations and excellence in production.
Conclusion:
Mint Ltd ‘s implementation of AXYZ routers demonstrates a successful alignment of technology with business objectives, leading to a transformation in its production capabilities with improved efficiency, cost savings and product quality. This has enabled the company to scale operations while adhering to its high standards of quality and sustainability. As Mint continues to grow and adapt to market demands, the strategic use of technology will undoubtedly play a crucial role in maintaining their market leadership and commitment to sustainability. This case study exemplifies how targeted technological integration can resolve specific business challenges, leading to improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced product quality – all of which are critical for maintaining competitiveness in the dynamic retail display market.
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