Owens Corning Enables Remote Workforce with a Manufacturing ROCKET: Part 2

Overview of Manufacturing ROCKET Program Launch

Owens Corning launched the Manufacturing ROCKET (Remote Owens Corning Knowledge, Expertise & Technology) program to address the shift in operations to remote workers during the pandemic and for the future. The program was to transform the remote workforce globally with collaborative experiences between workers and subject matter experts (SMEs). The objective of the Manufacturing ROCKET program was to maximize productivity by empowering workers in the plant, and around the world. According to Brian Perlstein, Digital Manufacturing Enterprise Architect, Owen Corning, “the company wanted to use newer collaborative technologies, like smart glasses and cameras, to engage and empower remote connected workers and SMEs, whether working on-site or remotely.”

ROCKET program requirements included:

• Collaboration with remote experts at the point of need
• Enabling remote visibility to equipment and processes
• Improving knowledge sharing and capture
• Ensuring safe and compliant operations
• Expanding global network of SMEs
• Safely empowering the workforce with knowledge and expertise

ROCKET Program

The first step of the ROCKET program was to enable safe and secure virtual capabilities on-site and remotely. One important aspect was to use standards, for example, with cameras that people could use to monitor key processes in real time. The company deployed hands-free smart glasses and cameras that enabled employees the ability to share ideas, capture information and collaborate globally while preserving the company’s intellectual property and keeping employees safe. Instead of sending people on-site to integrate technologies, the company wanted to rely on technologies that allowed them to limit the number of people on-site and reduce risks. Another requirement was that deployment from proof-of-concept (POC) to global deployment needed to be completed in less than four months.

ROCKET Use Cases

Many of the use cases were around construction and commissioning with a remote workforce during the pandemic. An example of one of the use cases illustrates how an on-site worker using a smartphone can help a remote worker troubleshoot a maintenance procedure. The mobile device can give the workers the ability to obtain knowledge from anywhere in the world, engage the worker and solve problems within minutes. Instead of flying to the site for construction, inspection or acceptance testing, remote workers connect with the on-site employee, then visually go through a punch list, ask questions, and/or observe what is happening on-site. Hands-free smart glasses allow the worker to see, observe, capture, record and document knowledge while being able to use his hands.

ROCKET Benefits

ROCKET’s goals were to improve collaboration and knowledge sharing between remote and on-site workers and SMEs, increase productivity and operational efficiencies, and reduce travel costs by as much as 50 percent. The company did reduce travel costs, and because workers were spending less time on the road, they were able to focus on the plant’s operation and take actions to resolve issues quickly and reduce unplanned downtime. Workers in the office or those working from home collaborated using the newer tools to engage and share knowledge and domain expertise, allowing them to work more productively. This created a safer environment because only critical workers were in the manufacturing plant. Other benefits gained from the remote connected workforce include the ability to resolve problems faster, improve safety and compliance, improve visibility, reduce raw materials, improve quality, and improve the work life balance of employees.

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Keywords: Remote Connected Workforce, Owens Corning, Accelerating Digital Transformation, Pandemic, Manufacturing ROCKET, ARC Advisory Group.