How to Control Tools in a Workshop
Investing in tool control? Here’s how it can give you the greatest return.
Your company invests thousands of pounds in tools and equipment every year. You will want to extract as much value from those assets as is possible.
There is one wise investment you can make today that will optimise your investment in tools, help to keep them in use for longer with minimum downtime, and reduce the amount you spend on replacements. That investment is in tool control.
If you invest in robust storage solutions that are built around the assets they are protecting, you will see the value of that investment returned to you multiple times over.
In this guide, we’ll show you how.
At Polstore Storage Systems, we provide tool storage systems for businesses across the UK. If you want advice or a FREE quote, call us at +44 800 008 6861 or complete our online enquiry form.
Benefits of Tool Control and a Tool Management System
1. Increased Lifespan of Tools
With the right storage solution in place, built around the unique dimensions of the tools and equipment being stored, tool control can extend the expected lifespan by several months, even years.
Tools stored in ill-fitting tool boxes or drawers are at risk of damage and accelerated wear and tear simply because they are not adequately protected when not in use. The visual cues of a foam shadow board also help to reduce the cost of purchasing replacement tools because operatives can easily identify tools that are missing as soon as they are misplaced.
How much did your business spend on replacing damaged or misplaced tools in the last year?
2. Reduced Tool Consumption
When you know that the quality of tools and equipment can be preserved for longer, you can be more strategic in your tool investments, opting to use that budget to buy higher-quality tools. No longer needing to replace poorer quality items due to breakage reduces your overall tool consumption.
What was the value of tools consumed and written off in your business last year?
3. Optimised Inventory
Clear tool identification and regular inventory management can help to identify tools in your workshop that are infrequently used.
By identifying tools that are in regular use for various tasks, a list of essential tools can be maintained. Not only does this reduce the cost of investing in tools and equipment that are non-essential, it also saves the budget being spent on storing and servicing them.
How many tools do you have in your inventory that you don’t need?
4. Utilising Capitalisation
Being able to demonstrate that you have the correct storage solution to help extend the lifespan of tools and equipment can open the opportunity for you to use capitalisation in your accounts.
Ordinarily, capitalisation of small tools isn’t applied in general accounting practice assuming the short lifespan of such assets. With capitalisation, you could benefit from utilising alternative sources of finance such as leasing. Capitalisation can also add value to your net worth.
How could the use of capitalisation impact your bottom line?
Invest in Tool Control With Polstore Storage Systems
It’s time to rethink the value of tool control.
We work with hundreds of engineering and manufacturing companies throughout the UK to help them extend the lifespan of their most valued assets. Using our heavy-duty workshop storage drawer cabinets, mobile toolboxes, routed foam shadow boards, and foam inserts, we can design a tool control system customised to your tools and how you work.
Polstore Storage Systems will bring organisation and protection to the heart of your workshop from the day of installation and for many years to come.
If you would like some advice on inventory control and tool tracking for your workshop, get in touch with our team of experts today. From tool shadowing to custom tool cabinets for your work area, we can help.
Call us on +44 800 008 6861 or complete our online enquiry form.
FAQs
How does tool control improve efficiency in the workplace?
Effective tool control enhances workplace safety, efficiency, productivity, quality, and cost control by ensuring tools are readily available, in good condition, and not lost, misused or left behind. It is especially critical in industries like manufacturing, construction, aviation and automotive repair.
What is the meaning of tool control?
Tool control refers to the practice of properly managing, tracking, and accounting for tools within a workplace or organisation. It involves implementing systems and protocols to ensure tools are securely stored, easily located when needed, and not misplaced or lost.
The main aspects of effective tool control include:
1. Tool inventory management
- Maintaining a detailed inventory of all tools, including descriptions, quantities, locations, etc.
- Tracking tool check-outs/check-ins to know who has possession of tools.
2. Tool storage and organisation
- Having designated storage locations like tool cribs, cabinets, shadow boards etc.
- Using visual management techniques like outlining, labelling, and colour-coding.
3. Tool accountability
- Assigning personal responsibility for highly valuable/critical tools.
- Conducting routine tool audits and inspections to identify missing tools.
4. Tool maintenance
- Proper care, cleaning, and preventative maintenance of tools.
- Removing damaged/worn tools from use.
5. Tool security
- Restricting access to tool storage areas.
- Locking up controlled tools like cutting tools, calibrated tools, etc.
Why is tool control important?
Tool control is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps to ensure the safety of workers by preventing accidents caused by misplaced or misused tools. Secondly, it helps to prevent damage to equipment and materials by ensuring that the right tools are used for the right job.
Additionally, strict tool control can help to improve efficiency and productivity by reducing the time spent searching for tools as they are always put back in the right place. Finally, it can also help to prevent theft and loss of expensive tools, saving the company money.
What is the purpose of tool management?
The purpose of tool management is to ensure tools are properly organised, maintained, and accounted for within a workspace. It improves efficiency by allowing easy tool retrieval, reduces downtime from missing tools, extends tool lifespan through proper storage, and enhances workplace safety by preventing tool-related hazards. Effective tool management optimises productivity and cost savings.
What is tool shadowing?
Tool shadowing, also known as shadow boarding or silhouette tool storage, is an organisational method used to store and arrange tools in a workshop or workspace. It involves creating an outline or silhouette of each tool on a pegboard, panel, or other surface, indicating exactly where that specific tool should be kept.
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