Case Study: Cargill Salt achieves 39% productivity improvement with Epicor Informance (Epicor)

Improves productivity with real-time analysis and performance metrics

Cargill Salt, a U.S. salt producer with more than 20 manufacturing plants, struggled with seasonal demand swings and uneven capacity that caused overtime, excess and out‑of‑stock inventory. Leadership also lacked consistent, accurate manufacturing metrics—OEE, downtime, and performance data were unreliable (sometimes reporting >100%), leading to mistrust between functions and unrealistic production plans.

Cargill implemented Epicor Informance EMI to deliver real‑time, standardized performance metrics by SKU, line, plant, and network. Within days they gained consistent equipment‑usage data and uncovered previously unreported downtime (reported downtime doubled). Results included a 33% improvement in identifying losses, a 39% productivity gain, one plant’s OEE up 18% in six months, and within a year 20% more product per shift with 40% less labor per shift, along with reduced overtime and inventory carrying costs.

Cargill Salt

Greg Yeager

Industrial Salt, Reliability Leader