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Commitment And Accountability
Once a company’s management team recognizes the need to make changes in order to grow the business, stay ahead of the competition or simply survive, it is faced with the daunting task of making those changes happen. This generally starts with a process of convincing the workforce that change is necessary.
Read MoreCorporation Shows Commitment To Lean Manufacturing
MW Industries, Inc. , headquartered in Logansport, Indiana, manufactures and distributes a range of industrial springs, flat stamped products and specialty fasteners for many industries, including transportation, construction, agricultural, electronic, petrochemical, medical, power tool and industrial equipment.
Read MoreThe Suggestion Box Syndrome (And A Better Alternative)
In an attempt to solicit ideas and generate enthusiasm from employees, companies often institute some type of suggestion box system. Employees write suggestions on a form and drop them in a special box.
Read More5S Event Transforms Company’s Workplace
This month I’d like to tell you about a workplace transformation that occurred when UFP Technologies in Georgetown, Massachusetts employed the 5S system to improve workplace organization. 5S is an acronym for sort–keep only what is needed in the area; set in order–put everything in the right place; shine–keep everything clean and in good working order; standardize–create rules to support a neat, clean, safe, organized workplace; and sustain–maintain organization by measuring progress and taking corrective action when needed.
Read MoreCompany Applies Lean Techniques In The Office
Bent River Machine, located in Clarkdale, Arizona, provides contract manufacturing services and designs and builds custom factory automation. After building a brand new facility in a beautiful rural setting in 1997, Bent River Machine redirected its business to more effectively respond to the needs of its customers.
Read MoreLean In The Office—Useful Techniques
In last month's column, I described some of the wastes inherent in the office environment. It is quite common to witness overproduction of orders that will not be produced in the immediate future; waiting for approvals or information from any number of sources; moving around the office looking for everything from work orders to copy paper; paperwork traveling a great distance; and people not being employed to their fullest capabilities.
Read MoreLean In The Office—Identifying Waste
The manufacturing process is not the only area of a company that incurs waste on a regular basis. Although most of us focus on the factory floor to identify the improvements needed to increase our competitiveness, many companies find abundant opportunities for waste reduction in the office.
Read MoreReducing Excess Motion
One of the wastes inherent in manufacturing operations is the excess motion of employees. In a typical manufacturing operation, we often find people walking around the plant.
Read MoreManufacturers Use Digital Photography To Enhance Their Businesses
Applications for digital photography are growing at a rapid pace. Many people have replaced the traditional film cameras with these new wonders that provide instant gratification.
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Scenes From The Visual Factory
I believe that for today's factories to be efficient, they need to be highly visual. Wherever possible, photos, drawings, color-codes and even cartoons should replace text.
Read MoreEstablishing Manufacturing Cells
Last month, I discussed how manufacturing cells can reduce or eliminate the major wastes inherent in a manufacturing operation. The logical grouping of all the equipment required to make similar parts is an effective technique for addressing the problems of overproduction, excess inventory, over- processing, motion, waiting, transportation, defects and order tracking.
Read MoreManufacturing Cells Can Eliminate Wastes
A manufacturing cell is an efficient grouping of all the resources required to manufacture a product. These resources, which usually include people, supplies, machines, tools and other production equipment, are arranged in close proximity to enhance communication and allow everyone to see what is going on at all times.
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