Case Evac: Comprehensive outsourcing for the demanding needs of marine industry

Evac Group is the world’s leading supplier of integrated water supply, sewage, and waste water systems, spare parts and services for the marine and offshore industries. In addition, the Group offers solutions for corrosion and marine growth prevention and has become engaged in services provision for the construction industry and other customers on dry land as well.

Meconet has co-operated with Evac ever since 1997. It all started with the production of metal components for Evac’s vacuum toilets, which are primarily used in the marine industry due to their modest water consumption. Some years later, an agreement was reached with the customer on comprehensive outsourcing and the co-operation expanded to cover the assembly, testing, packaging, and delivery management of final products. About 30,000 finished products are delivered from Meconet’s factory in Tallinn to Evac’s customers every year.

Logistics tour de force

Logistically, co-operation with Evac is a major effort. The volumes of the components received and stored, as well as of the final products delivered are huge. Porcelain seats come in by the truckload every week, and as many finished vacuum toilet system packages are dispatched to different corners of the world – Germany, France, Italy, Brazil, South Korea, and the United States. There are more than 300 different components and some 50 product models. Naturally, warehouse management requires significant skill.

“We work together throughout the production chain, all the way from design and product development.”

“The co-operation with Evac is a good example of our comprehensive solutions. We work together throughout the production chain, all the way from design and product development. In this manner, the greatest possible added value is created for both parties,” says Joni Kariluoto, CEO of Meconet AS.

Quality management and security of supply build trust

There are numerous work stages in comprehensive outsourcing co-operation. All assemblies and parts manufactured by Meconet are tested for functionality, and responsibility for quality management lies with Meconet as well. All subcontracted components received are inspected and the functionality of all products and assemblies manufactured by Meconet is tested.

Security of supply is truly important for the customer in outsourcing co-operation. The customer must be able to rely on the delivery schedules agreed. Because of this, effecient logistics planning, chain management, and experience are essential for overall performance.

“Evac considers its manufacturing partners very important, and co-operation with Meconet runs smoothly. In the mutual development work, we focus on continuous improvement of processes and operating methods, especially as regards responsibility and efficiency. This co-operation has proven to be successful and we are convinced to be on the right track”, says Tero Vuorinen, Category Manager at Evac.

Outsourcing is a viable option for all companies requiring large quantities of finished sub-assemblies. Such domains include, for example, the construction industry, machine and equipment manufacturing, and many of the currently rapidly growing GreenTech industries.