Date: 19 November, 2009

Diageo’s Marshalls Road plant, handles packaging, bottling and canning for the groups portfolio of leading branded beers including Guinness Draught in a can, Harp, Carlsberg and Budweiser. Over 165 personnel are based on site and to further establish a more robust communication process and deliver key messages on site in a timely and efficiency manner the Onelan system was identified. Liz Dunlop explained: “We need to deliver a variety of Health & Safety, logistics, production, and group marketing messages to office based staff as well as to production and logistics personnel. Onelan was identified as a way to communicate efficiently and effectively to both groups.

“Having watched how the Onelan system in our Bushmills plant worked, I was impressed by its live nature, the flexibility and scope it offered and the way it engaged staff. Diageo constantly strive to utilise new technology to enhance their brands and similarly investing in technology to communicate effectively with all staff is important to us.”

Engineers from NIAVAC Audio Visual worked with Liz Dunlop and Production Manager, Paul Millar to plan a system that would meet their needs. Two net top boxes were installed to offer two channels of information to the two distinct groups, and NIAVAC installed four 42 inch digital plasma screens placed throughout the facility.

One net top box carries Health and safety, personnel and visitor information to the office and canteen plasma screens. A second box feeds information on production plans, performance indicators, finance information, team briefs and health and safety messages to the production area, logistics dept and tank room dept.

From a production point of view, the impact of the new system has been felt very positively.

Liz adds: “The major benefit is that it’s so quick to add or change information so the messages being conveyed are always current and we can also utilise the quick messaging facility to announce visitors and upcoming staff meetings.

“Overall, Onelan has significantly enhanced our internal communications and streamlined our operational needs and staff management. We’ve very pleased with the system.”