Canada’s Co-op Refinery to implement ARCOS management suite

Canada-based Co-op Refinery Complex (CRC) has signed a contract to implement ARCOS Resource Management Suite to automate its facility.

Spread across 544 acres, the refinery is located in Regina, Saskatchewan. The latest implementation will automate shift management and emergency callouts at its facility.

The refinery currently uses a manual system to contact up to 1,200 craft and non-craft workers, which includes managing shift changes and account for workers’ rest periods and overtime.

Under this manual process, refinery supervisors meet daily with team members to manage availability and schedules regarding maintenance and production.

With the new software in place, employees can manage their shifts using mobile technology and automated rules that adhere to union agreements.

CRC information technology director Jan Franken said: “There was a need to automate callout, primarily for filling shifts on the floor of the refinery, even before we knew of ARCOS.

“Our shift-management and call-out processes are inefficient in comparison to what the ARCOS software can provide. The software will allow supervisors to focus on their primary duties instead of handling nuanced scheduling issues.”

With this technology, CRC supervisors will avoid plant floor visits to meet groups and eliminate creation and updating paper rosters by computerising scheduling and callouts.

The ARCOS system will also enable real-time reporting of overtime hours and absences, as well as maintain a consistent application format of the company’s policies and procedures from a mobile device.

ARCOS noted that it will also implement its Incident Manager software for CRC on automation of planning, staffing and scaling of resources during an emergency.

CRC produces more than 130,000 barrels of gasoline, diesel and propane for customers throughout western Canada.