SME appropriate concept for continuously improving the energy and resource efficiency in manufacturing companies

Consciously considering the energy and resource consumption is of rising interest in manufacturing companies. However, especially in small and medium sized enterprises (SME) the target-oriented implementation of promising measures is impeded by different obstacles such as unattractive amortisation times, lack of transparency or high efforts (personnel/time). Against this background, the paper presents a SME appropriate concept for the systematic and continuous improvement of the energy and resource efficiency in manufacturing companies. It consists of a methodological framework which is connected to a technical infrastructure with different elements. The vision is a seamless integration besides conventional time, cost and quality oriented target variables - of energy and resource flow related aspects into the continuous control loop of production management. The applicability and benefits of the concept are shown in a case study of a medium sized company from the textile industry. (C) 2013 CIRP.