Specializing in the production of components for the water, gas, food, and medical industries, our Assembly Department combines a dedicated and professional team with advanced technology, uncompromising quality control, and meticulous attention to detail.
On the journey every product takes through our factories, the Assembly Department is one of the most crucial stops. This is where the pieces of the puzzle come together, and components from the injection molding machines are transformed into the finished products that reach the customer. Our Assembly Department is extensive, spread across two production sites, comprising 12 teams and approximately 40 employees. Join us as we explore the department and, in the process, meet the people who lead it.
From Gas Pipes to X-ray: A World of Assemblies
“Each team in our department is responsible for a different product”, begins Gal Eden, Director of the Production Department at Rion. “At our main production site, the teams assemble fittings for the water and gas sectors, air valves for water lines, products for the livestock industry, and more”.
The water and gas sector is particularly challenging: “We carry out significant work for many companies, including Plasson, and all demand the highest level of quality control and precision. We manufacture a variety of components, including fittings that interface with metal piping and even those that connect to active production lines. A large part of Plasson’s output relies on our injection-molded parts, and that is a great responsibility to have”.
This is precisely where Rion’s X-ray department comes into play, performing non-destructive testing on various products. “Our X-ray department supports all other departments”, Gal explains. “We can, for instance, check the integrity of Plasson products containing electrical wires or delicate components – all without cutting or disassembling them”.
Assembly for the Food and Medical Industries
Rion’s southern production site, Plastokit, specializes in manufacturing products for the food and medical industries, known for high standards. Among the key clients in the food sector is Aran Group, for whom the teams assemble tubes, fittings, and various other components used for sealing and emptying their well-known Bag-in-Box packaging. “We have a close relationship with the quality department”, says Natalie Zaytoun, Manager of the Assembly Department at Plastokit. “We check the appearance, the quality of the injection molding and printing, and the sealing of every tube, fitting, and cap. In addition, we maintain a clean work environment that is adapted to the standards required for working in the food packaging industry”.
For the medical industry, the department focuses on assembling products for the medical device giant Thermo Fisher Scientific. This involves a rigorous assembly process that integrates advanced technology and automation, and it also requires working in exceptionally clean conditions. “We are meticulous about every single detail”, says Natalie. “The work stages include quality checks, with an emphasis on mechanical properties, laser or pad printing of barcodes and labels, assembly, packaging, weighing, palletizing, and more”.
To support all these activities, the department also operates a printing center. “The center serves all production. It provides different types and colors of labels and barcodes, from small barcodes to the labels we use on our cardboard packaging”, Gal adds.
The Secret Ingredient: The People Behind the Machines
When discussing the management of such a complex operation, which includes dozens of employees in different teams, the question arises as to how to maintain it smoothly. “The department has a mix of veteran, experienced employees who have seen it all and know how to provide quick solutions in areas that require precision, and younger employees who bring a sense of freshness and urgency, as well as a good atmosphere to the team”, says Gal.
Part of the success is also rooted in the organizational side of things. “While the work in each team is separated, our employees are not fixed to one station”, Gal notes. “Employees need to be familiar with several processes and know how to move between stations as needed. This variety keeps things interesting and allows us high operational flexibility”.
This flexibility is nurtured by a well-established organizational culture, built on a strong human foundation. “The feeling in our department is like a small family”, shares Natalie. “We know each other far beyond work. We are privy to each other’s personal lives and are there for one another”. The department’s life is full of positive experiences and atmosphere: whether it’s eating donuts at the beginning of each month, personal gifts on special days, or birthday celebrations. “These are the moments that connect us and make the department much more than just a workplace”, Natalie points out.
This sentiment is echoed by Gal: “Our department is composed of the entire spectrum of Israeli society – Jews, Christians, and Muslims. This mix holds thanks to the people themselves. In the end, everyone here came with the intention of working and earning a living together”.
Looking Ahead
The great advantage of having an in-house assembly department is the ability to react quickly. “Direct communication is a huge advantage”, says Gal. “We get immediate feedback from the injection molding department, and if a problem has arisen, the interface with quality control allows us to locate and resolve it quickly”.
And what’s next? The department is not resting on its laurels. A new customer, Galcon, has recently come on board, requiring the introduction and implementation of new processes and machinery. At the same time, the company is in the process of seeking a new extrusion machine to improve speeds and quality, and is examining automation solutions to cope with the labor force challenges in the market. Many opportunities are waiting for the coming years.
