AUTOSCREEN ROI: Calculating Your Payoff Timeline in Fenestration
Manufacturers know intuitively they must invest in automation to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced market, but the payoff window is important to secure funding and get your stakeholders on board.
That’s where the complete AUTOSCREEN™ process stands out. Designed specifically for the fenestration industry, this system can transform your production line by delivering up to 1,000 screens per shift in only three steps.
A fully automated screen assembly fenestration system can:
Cut and fabricate profiles with the TA-144/50
Simultaneously assemble corner key frames in one operation, with the SAC-100
Automatically spread mesh, insert spline, trim mesh with the SAC-850/855
All of this is achieved with only three operators, significantly reducing labor costs while boosting throughput and consistency.
Though full automation offers the highest return on investment, many manufacturers launch an initial pilot, funding future investments with the profits from early steps into automation.
Automating just one step can still yield payoff within the year, allowing you to fund the next phase of automation.
Here’s one example:
For the SAC-850, the selling price is in the vicinity of $275,000 USD. Amortized over 7 years (using standard accepted accounting practice of 7-year depreciation, although the machine will have a 15-year lifespan), the cost of the machine is $40,000 per year. At 2000 production hours per year, the cost of the machine per hour is $20. The same hour labor cost, fully burdened, could be $40 per hour, as the machine requires only one operator. Therefore, the total labor and machine cost per hour is $60.
If the machine makes 100 screen frames per hour, for an average size, the cost per frame is: $60 divided by 100. - 60 cents per screen.
Comparing that, using the same $40 per hour labor, producing 20 frames per hour, the cost per frame is $2 per frame. The savings using the SAC-850 are $1.40 per screen frame.
In this case, if you were to turn on automation on January 1, it would pay for itself within the year, when amortized over a seven-year period, or within a year based on total system cost.
From a throughput perspective, one machine replaces four operators. This allows you to create new efficiencies and better leverage your employees.
Calculating Your Pay-Back Period on Window Screen Automation
Your results will vary! The ROI for window screen automation depends on a variety of operational and regional factors. While automation can offer substantial benefits, understanding your specific payoff period requires a closer look at your facility’s unique conditions.
When looking into automation, consider the following:
Energy costs in your area—automation is shown to save as much as 18%
Rework and quality improvements
Availability of skilled labor in your area
Training needs
ERP and infrastructure needs
Repetitive stress injury claims
At the Haffner Machinery Group, we understand the nuances of the fenestration industry. Our team is ready to help you assess how automation could impact your operations and bottom line.
Contact us at sales@haffnerna.us to explore your specific scenario and your potential payoff period with confidence.
