What is MES?

MES in an integrated, dynamic software system that monitors, tracks, documents, and controls the manufacturing process from raw materials to finished products.

One of the primary functions of the MES system is to provide manufacturers with real-time workflow visibility, flexibility, and insight into how to improve enterprise-wide manufacturing operations by serving as a functional layer between enterprise resource planning (ERP) and process control systems on the factory floor.

How does this benefit industries like Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, MedTech, and Diagnostics contract manufacturing?

The primary benefit is the real-time traceability. Other benefits include:

  1. Improved efficiency and productivity: It can automate and optimize production processes, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing errors.
  2. Enhanced traceability and compliance monitoring: The system can provide real-time visibility into production processes and record-keeping.
  3. Better decision-making: It can provide real-time data and analytics on production processes, enabling manufacturers to identify and address issues in a timely manner.
  4. Increased flexibility: It can be configured to suit the specific needs of different manufacturing operations, making it easier to adapt to changing market conditions and customer demands.
  5. Reduced costs: It can help to reduce costs by improving efficiency, reducing waste and rework, and minimizing downtime.

At SteriPack, our MES and connected digital systems deliver everything you would expect to achieve these benefits. However, we have also gone further with its application and use:

  • We have connected our MES solution to bespoke systems we have for Training Management and Equipment Management. Once a Device History Record or Work Order commences, MES verifies the training status of the operators who are logged in-to the system to execute that work order. We also verify the maintenance and calibration status of the line before the work order commences. This ensures required quality, accuracy and integrity of our Device History Records at execution, reduces rework, and prevents production issues and deviations.
  • We use MES to manage manufacturing complexity in our business and keep us agile as an organization. As a CDMO we have a broad range of processes and different customer needs and expectations across the world. MES allows us to rapidly respond and manage the complexity of contract manufacturing in life sciences. We can execute a work order with a batch size of one or one million with the same level of manufacturing oversight and control. MES and our bespoke connected digital systems provide a unique SteriPack Manufacturing Systems Environment, which ensures we meet quality outcomes on a long-term continuous basis.
  • MES and connected digital systems have allowed us to automate parts of our business, to facilitate our long-term growth with a lean mindset and in-built continuous improvement culture. Over the last few years, we have had an increase of device work order records we are executing on a month-to-month basis. Through MES, we have achieved a 90% automation of monthly work order sign-off processes in our facilities.
  • We have implemented a standardized digital systems infrastructure in all our manufacturing facilities, while ensuring uniformity of shop floor processes and manufacturing performance across all SteriPack locations. Additionally, we connect our digital systems to Microsoft Business Intelligence (BI) so that we can report performance metrics globally in the form of a balanced score card.
  • Currently, we are integrating our manufacturing and test equipment into the MES system.

We are dedicated to providing exceptional customer service, streamlined lead times, optimized manufacturing processes, and rigorous quality to our partners in the Medical Device, Pharmaceutical, and Diagnostics industries.

Contact us today to learn more about our digital manufacturing systems and full range of contract services from development of final product and clean room injection molding to project management and packing.