In our previous blog, we discussed the possibility of reviving Silicon Glen, which we are fully committed to doing from a careers and jobs perspective. We are also doing the same from a manufacturing point of view by supporting forward-thinking local companies in realising their potential by serving as their manufacturing partner.
This was the case when Scottish startup Utopi enlisted our help in producing its groundbreaking Multisensor device (read our first case study on working with Utopi by clicking here). The Multisensor, which is not to be mistaken for a domestic smoke alarm, is packed to the rafters with technology in its small footprint.
The device can sense light, temperature, motion, noise, humidity, and air quality. We have been manufacturing the Multisensor since its inception, so when Utopi approached us to ramp up production, we wanted to nail the brief.
The Challenge
In response to the increasing demand for the Multisensor, Utopi faced a significant production challenge in ramping up numbers. We needed to escalate manufacturing from 500 to 5000 units per month, supporting the Glasgow-based company’s rapid growth in delivering IoT solutions for residential properties.
Falk Bleyl, CTO and Director at Utopi explains: “As a 'reluctant manufacturer', we see our business as a software company first. 
However, our devices, including the Multisensor, are vital for collecting data and providing interfaces to the physical world. We needed a partner who could help us scale our manufacturing capabilities without losing focus on our core software business.”
Maintaining quality standards was essential for both parties, while we got down to business by optimising processes and effectively managing costs.
The Solution
CB Technology has been Utopi’s trusted partner since day one, from manufacturing its proof-of-concept hardware to the commercial launch of the Multisensor. The engineering team approached the production challenge methodically, using a Value Stream Mapping exercise to identify areas that could be streamlined in the production process.
Jaimie McGinty, Lead Process Engineer at CB Technology, described the approach in more detail: “Before making dramatic changes to our assembly lines, we wanted to see what waste we could eliminate first. We mapped out the entire process, looking for areas of over-processing and inefficiencies.”
Our teams implemented several key strategies, which can be summarised in three simple-to-understand steps:
- Process optimisation: Scrutinised each step of the manufacturing process to identify efficiencies that could be maximised
- Strategic staffing: Calculated the necessary increase in headcount, adding eight additional people to the production line
- Identifying bottlenecks: Recognised that testing was becoming a bottleneck and introduced a second tester to keep pace with the increased production
Throughout this process, CB Technology maintained close communication with Utopi, leveraging their geographic proximity in Scotland's central belt for maximum collaborative benefits.
The Impact
The partnership between the two Scottish companies has enabled CB Technology to increase its weekly production capacity by 250%. So far, CB Technology has produced over 50,000 Multisensor units, and due to the increased capacity, this number is expected to continue to rise.
“CB Technology has been instrumental in our journey from device development to scaling manufacturing while offering the same robust quality. They’ve achieved this by taking a pragmatic and supportive approach, which has been a pivotal cog in our overall growth as a company. Their close geographic proximity has been of significant benefit during both development and production," Bleyl explained.
Graeme Robertson is the Sales and Business Development Director at CB Technology. He said: "Our partnership with Utopi demonstrates the power of close collaboration and continuous improvement. By understanding their unique challenges as a software-first company, we were able to provide manufacturing solutions that allowed them to scale rapidly without compromising on quality or losing focus on their core business."
Here to help
Utopi’s success is yet another example of efficient collaboration between CB Technology and our clients. Are you ready to scale your production? Contact us today and find out how we can support your business. Email us at sales@cbtechnology.co.uk
