H.J. Heinz Case Study

The Challenge

The Requirement

Prior to engaging DCS 2 Way Radio, H. J. Heinz's Wigan facility was operating an ageing digital radio communication system consisting of Motorola DP3400 and DP3600 series handheld radios. While these radios had provided reliable service for many years, both models have now been discontinued and were becoming increasingly difficult and costly to maintain. The site was also utilising a Motorola DR3000 repeater to extend radio coverage across the facility.

As the equipment aged, staff began experiencing a growing number of issues that were affecting day-to-day communications. Battery performance had deteriorated significantly, resulting in reduced operating times and the need for more frequent charging. In addition, many of the handheld radios were suffering from wear and tear to critical components, including volume controls and channel selector switches. These faults often made the radios difficult to operate and reduced their overall reliability.

Following a detailed site survey and equipment audit, DCS 2 Way Radio was able to recommend a future-proof communication solution that would not only replace the ageing infrastructure but also deliver enhanced coverage, improved audio quality and increased reliability throughout the facility.

The Solution

Our Recommendation

DCS 2 Way Radio carried out a comprehensive audit of the client’s existing two-way radio system, alongside a detailed survey of the entire factory site. During the assessment, our engineers identified several communication black spots across the facility that were impacting day-to-day operations and staff safety.

The investigation revealed that the coverage issues were primarily caused by ageing radio equipment, large machinery and structural obstacles blocking radio signals, as well as a lack of regular system maintenance. These factors combined to create areas where communication was unreliable or, in some cases, completely unavailable.

Following the audit, DCS 2 Way Radio was able to provide a detailed report outlining the weaknesses within the existing system and recommend a modern communication solution designed to deliver reliable coverage throughout the factory. By addressing these issues, the client was able to improve communication between departments, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure staff could remain connected across the entire site.

The Implementation

We upgraded them to the more advanced, higher tier Motorola DP3441e digital handheld radio which utilises their existing Motorola DR3000 repeater base station to achieve effective coverage throughout the factory site.

The DP3441e handheld radio is proving to be an excellent all-round radio, with its main benefits being:

• Leading coverage performance
• Enhanced audio quality
• Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0
• Lightweight, compact design for
• convenient portability
• Indoor location tracking
• IP68 rating for protection against dust and water

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The Results

Deployment

By upgrading to a modern, high-performance two-way radio system, H. J. Heinz has significantly improved communications across its food processing facility while also enhancing staff safety. The new radio solution provides a range of advanced features specifically designed for demanding industrial environments, including an emergency alarm button, lone worker monitoring, and man down functionality.

These safety features are particularly important in large manufacturing and processing facilities where employees may work alone or in isolated areas. In the event of an incident, staff can quickly raise an alarm, allowing supervisors and colleagues to respond immediately. This helps H. J. Heinz maintain high health and safety standards while providing additional reassurance for employees working throughout the site.

To meet the client's requirements, DCS 2 Way Radio supplied the Motorola DP3441e digital handheld radio. Compact, durable and packed with advanced functionality, the DP3441e is ideally suited to busy food production environments. Its robust push-to-talk technology delivers clear, reliable communications even in challenging conditions, ensuring staff can stay connected at all times.

The upgraded radio system has provided H. J. Heinz with dependable site-wide communications, improved worker safety, and a future-proof solution capable of supporting the ongoing needs of a modern food manufacturing operation.

After Care

At DCS 2 Way Radio, we are committed to ensuring that every communication solution we provide is perfectly tailored to our client's operational requirements. Following the installation and commissioning of the new two-way radio system, our team delivered comprehensive training to ensure staff were confident using the equipment and fully understood the available features and functionality.

Rather than simply completing the installation and leaving the site, we encouraged the client to use the new radio system in their day-to-day operations for a period of one month. This allowed staff to gain real-world experience of the equipment and identify any additional requirements that may arise during normal working conditions.

After the evaluation period, DCS 2 Way Radio returned to the site to conduct a follow-up review and gather feedback from both management and operational staff. The feedback was extremely positive, with users highlighting the improved communication and reliability provided by the new system. During the review, it became apparent that additional radios would further enhance communication between key personnel.

To accommodate this requirement, DCS 2 Way Radio supplied and programmed three additional two-way radios, seamlessly integrating them into the existing system. This ensured complete compatibility across the network and provided the client with a communication solution that fully met their operational needs while allowing for future expansion as required.