2015 saw the Group’s Dutch plant produce more than 1.2 million km of multimode fibre. Such an impressive achievement was a result of the factory team’s goal of becoming the number one multimode factory in the world. Roland van Laere, Plant Director explains that “with strong support from the Optical Fibre business unit’s Sales and R&D teams, and the help and contribution of everyone who works here, 180 employees of whom 40 are flex workers, we have made this vision a reality”.
In addition to the core business of multimode products, Eindhoven produces single- and multi-mode core rod glass (up to the equivalent of 10 million-fibre km) and speciality products, all based upon the PCVD production platform. Together with R&D, they’ve built a large patent portfolio that supports and protects our developments of equipment, processes and products. However, the plant’s primary knowledge and best practice is captured in the collective form of its employees. Roland notes that their way of working is based upon Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), “a holistic approach for maintaining and improving the integrity of production and quality systems that focuses on keeping all equipment in top working condition to avoid breakdowns and delays in manufacturing processes”. The vast production of 1.2 million km of multimode fibre in one year makes the plant the top manufacturer of multimode fibre in the world. Output has exceeded every expectation, with a volume increase of more than 20% on the previous year.
