Icebox

I read an true story not too long ago. This is a story of the difference in approach an Japanese and Indian company would take during its factory automation process. In Japan a soap manufacturing company was introducing an automated assembly line. The bottleneck in the process turned out to be an error in the wrapping machine, which would often wrap an empty box without the soap. To rectify this problem the Japanese company bought a X-ray scanner which cost them roughly $60,000. Truly cutting edge technology, and a great engineering feat. A similar problem occurred at a soap manufacturer in India (allegedly, Nirma soaps). Their solution was rather more eloquent. They invested in a fan. The empty wrappers blew away!!!