Engineering and Project Management

Designing turnkey mixing solutions and production plants requires a thorough understanding of industrial mixing processes. Your project is managed by multidisciplinary teams who take into account the specific needs and constraints of your industry. They ensure the coordination of design, engineering, and automation to meet your long-term performance requirements.

Support

We provide customized assistance in developing your project and defining your goals. A business manager is your point of contact, and a dedicated team monitors the project’s progress to advise you along the way. Their technical expertise and experience in designing custom-made mixing systems enables them to develop the production unit that is best suited to your requirements, whether it is a stand-alone machine or a complete system with multiple tanks. They consider multiple configurations with a view to optimal integration with your existing installations and managing productivity impacts.

Designing complete solutions

Our turnkey mixing solutions include all stages of the manufacturing process:

• Pre-mixing
• Storage
• Ingredient dosing system
• Heat exchange
• Material transfer
• Automation
• Vacuum or pressure mixing
• Cleaning and Sterilization in Place
• Traceability
• Management of utilities and consumption
• Integration in clean room, sterile, or ATEX environments

This global management enables us to design comprehensive, turnkey solutions that meet productivity, modularity, and reliability requirements. Each project is built in collaboration with our customers to ensure the design responds precisely to your needs.

Project progress

The project management life cycle at VMI is made up of five key phases:

1- Needs assessment 

We examine your request in order to create a customized offer. The referral team analyzes and transcribes your needs into functional specifications. Regular exchanges and follow-ups are organized to answer your questions and follow the evolution of your project. We then draw up specifications and commence planning while taking account of your technical, timing, and legal constraints.

2- Engineering and design 

Once the scope of your project has been defined and validated, we start designing your custom manufacturing system. We go to great lengths to achieve the best QCD result possible (quality-cost-delay). The efficiency of the research and design process is critical to ensuring the quality of our solution and its suitability for your needs. Our purchasing team’s efficiency enables us to offer solutions at the expected price while ensuring proper use of resources. Finally, we do our utmost to meet deadlines through effective project management. During this phase, your point of contact will relay all key information to you.

3- Production

Manufacturing and assembly are done in our factory near Nantes, France. Regular meetings with multidisciplinary experts are scheduled in order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the project and its progress. Agile project management allows for greater reactivity in the face of potential hazards during manufacturing.

4- Installation and start-up 

When the manufacturing process of your mixing solution is over, a well-defined test procedure is initiated to ensure optimal operation. We perform the Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) on our premises as well as quality and safety checks. Then we can proceed with the installation on your production site. Our teams oversee project management. During the acceptance phase, your point of contact is present on site. They will coordinate the worksite and ensures that your system is delivered, installed, and started properly. They confirm the project’s success and compliance with you during a final series of tests: the Site Acceptance Test (SAT).

5- Customer service

You will retain our assistance after your equipment has been installed on location. Our experts ensure that your machine is technically sound and that the process you’re using allows you to meet your product quality goals.

Our Process Development Center is available to perform specific tests with your raw materials if needed. VMI experts can help you get the most out of your equipment. They help you optimize your processes and the quality of your production to reach your objectives.

VMI Customer Service ensures continuous support throughout the life cycle of your installation in order to maximize its lifespan and ensure optimal performance. Our service team become your go-to resource for all things maintenance, evolution, and process improvement.

Long after the project is completed, VMI remains your partner and is committed to supporting and advising you on a long-term basis.