How Automotive Suppliers Are Reducing Downtime with MES Solutions
BlogEvery minute on the clock carries a cost. Delays disrupt delivery schedules, tie up labor, and create ripple effects across the supply chain. That’s why more suppliers are investing in technology that keeps things moving. TouchPath’s TouchPoint MES is a real-time manufacturing execution system designed to reduce downtime, improve accountability, and give plant managers a full view of their production floor. When you have access to live data, better decisions follow.
Visibility into Every Work Cell
A lot of downtime is spent not knowing why machines failed. TouchPoint MES gives your team immediate insight into which stations are lagging, which jobs are falling behind, and where performance is breaking down. Instead of chasing problems after the fact, you can react in real time. That’s the difference between hours lost and issues solved before they spread.
Automated Data Capture Reduces Manual Errors
Paper logs and manual inputs are often inaccurate, incomplete, or delayed. TouchPoint MES connects directly with barcode scanners, PLCs, and other factory hardware to collect production data automatically. That accuracy helps reduce repeat errors, improve root cause analysis, and take the guesswork out of decision-making.
Quality Control Catches Defects Early
Product recalls and rework are expensive. TouchPoint MES builds quality checks directly into your production process. That means defects are flagged at the point of failure, instead of after hundreds of units have already moved downstream. The system also connects with product management software, so updates to specifications flow across production lines without delay.
Better Labor Utilization Across Shifts
Unplanned downtime wastes human capital. MES data helps identify idle time, inefficient routing, and bottlenecks tied to workforce planning. Armed with better information, supervisors can reassign workers, adjust shift loads, and keep production moving without overstaffing.
TouchPoint MES doesn’t operate in a silo. It integrates with ERP and supply chain management systems, keeping materials, parts, and finished goods aligned with real-time demand. You’ll cut down on excess inventory, reduce lead times, and meet delivery windows with more consistency.
Talk to TouchPath today to see how TouchPoint MES can keep your production lines moving.