Case Study: Richards Industries achieves 50% OEE increase and 257% ROI with FORCAM

Richards Industries +50% OEE IN 12 MONTHS and 257% ROI IN 5 MONTHS

Richards Industries, a Cincinnati-based metal manufacturer of valves and steam specialty equipment, faced slowed demand from the oil & gas downturn and needed to boost productivity, reduce lead times, and improve quality while continuing its Lean Manufacturing initiatives. To address these challenges the company partnered with FORCAM and deployed the FORCAM FORCE™ Shop Floor Management solution beginning with a 10‑machine pilot.

FORCAM implemented real‑time machine data collection, web visualization, alerts (Phase 1) and later Order Data Management and Product Data Management with DNC (Phase 2), connecting machines via MTConnect and rolling the solution out to 31 machines. The FORCAM deployment delivered real-time visibility and operator empowerment, drove a >50% improvement in OEE within 12 months, and produced measurable ROI — 257% in 5 months (pilot) and 183% in 7 months after broader rollout.

Richards Industries

Bill Metz

Vice President Manufacturing