NCI Builds Up Use of Lean Manufacturing Tools

NCI Building Systems sees profitability return after emphasizing cost reduction programs across its business segments. NCI is a large integrated manufacturer of metal products for the nonresidential building industry in North America. The Building segment deploys lean tools to improve its performance metrics and has reduced its manufacturing footprint. ...

... "Cost reduction programs, which began in November 2008, have resulted in the migration from 43 manufacturing facilities to 32. Overlapping and less efficient operations have been eliminated, and more automation and lean manufacturing tools have been utilized. " ...

Via NCI Building: Third Quarter Earnings Discussion (PDF)

Lean Manufacturing Independent Work Cells

Setpoint Systems will automate and streamline the back-end manufacturing process for Lake City Army Ammunition Plant operated by Alliant Techsystems. The site will leverage lean automated solutions to drive productivity and quality. This is a plant that has manufactured ammunition since World War Two and is ready to be upgraded to new processes and work-cell layouts. ...

... "Setpoint’s solution for LCAAP involves identical but independent work-cells. Each work-cell can manufacture all the required products, but the work-cells are smaller, easier and faster to maintain than current processes. The new system will increase production uptime by 90 percent. The lean work-cells reduce part handling and part transportation, which reduces the risk of damage and errors to the ammunition. Greater automation saves ATK labor costs and improves worker safety. Most importantly, Setpoint’s solution incorporates in-process inspection and error-proofing to improve the quality of the overall product. " ...

Via Setpoint: Lean Manufacturing at Army Ammunition Plant

Tour of Lake City ammo plant via Army Website: "The command sergeants major were very impressed with the level of professionalism and detail that goes into producing munitions. "

ATK Lake City Army Ammunition Plant via Reuters: "The plant is the nation's primary production source for small-caliber rifle ammunition. At this plant, ATK produces a mix of cartridges. Currently, 1.4 billion cartridges are produced per year ... "

Lean Investment Leads to Payoff

Internal investment is an attribute of companies poised to weather the current business cycle and emerge in a stronger competitive position. ...

... "Toyota's margins were higher because it invested heavily in automated production systems and lean manufacturing initiatives over many years and, as a result, was much better positioned to weather the current crisis than its American competitors. " ...

Via Motley Fool: These Companies

Spend Management Cost Controls Drive Operational Efficiency at Lowe's

Lowe's works on its operational efficiency with strategic focus on spend management. It is in the early stages of rolling out system solution for automating work-flow approvals, minimizing human intervention, and leveraging spend with strategic sourcing. ...

... "The primary purpose of this tool is to provide cost control and management approval for expenses prior to the acquisition of goods and services. Purchase orders and invoices can be routed electronically, driving down the cost of processing those transactions and with aggregated data, the tool also streamlines the strategic sourcing [embedding] process as well as online auctions, allowing Lowe's to put more [source in the fence] to drive down cost. The spend management application has been available across the company for only 30 days but we are confident this system will drive significant cost savings over time. " ...

Via Seeking Alpha: Lowe's Earnings Call

Error Proofing Manufacturing Automation

Lean Manufacturing Requires Shop Floor Visibility

In order to operate in a lean mode, factories of the future will rely on automated data collection and shop floor visibility to sense and respond effectively to events that could lead to inefficiency or waste. ...

... "Any Lean manufacturer in order to realize wasteful use of resources and to create more value for the customer, needs an in-depth knowledge of various activities on the shop floor. " ...

Via PCQuest: Factory Future State Vision

Automated Photovoltaic Panel Manufacturing

Peugeot Robotics in Manufacturing

PackML Automation Enables Root Cause Analysis of Event Data

GE Fanuc embraces PLC standards that enable continuous improvement through identification and resolution of root causes involving manufacturing events. ...

... "Integrating OMAC’s PackML and Packtag standards into an automation solution reduces the burden of handshaking between PLCs on a coordinated line. The result: faster line rates can be maintained, and improved coordination can reduce the need for buffering conveyance and/or accumulators. Furthermore, these control-layer standards can actually reach well beyond the registers in a control system: by reducing the forensic work needed to integrate machines on disparate platforms, PackTags and PackML lay the foundation to easily and consistently interpret the event data that resides in the controllers of packaging lines. And it is this data that powers the root cause analysis needed to identify and engineer out sources of inefficiencies. " ...

Via GE Fanuc: OMAC Make2Pack Standards Accelerate Manufacturing Continuous Improvement Initiatives

Lean Manufacturing Garners Investment Focus

Investment in attracting manufacturing businesses focuses on firms practicing lean strategies, which represent a shift to greater value for the stakeholders. ...

... "Our efforts and our energy is put toward higher value, latest methods, lean manufacturing, Sheffler said. Advanced manufacturing jobs tend to require higher skill sets, pay more and use costly automated equipment, which increases investment. " ...

Via Richmond Times-Dispatch: Recruiting Business

Packaging and Putaway Process Automation

Automated Lean Cell

Lean cell demonstration by Ellison Technologies. ...

Efficient Manufacturing Cell with Automation

Solar Cell Manufacturing

Robotics Automation in Manufacturing

Manufacturing Robotics Productivity Platform

Transfer Manufacturing Process

Manufacturing Cell Automation

Robotic automation used in manufacturing cell ...

Lean Minimizes Capital for Automation

Lean principles are discussed to maximize the efficiency of complex manufacturing processes. ...

... "Lean techniques are also worthy of investigation because they eliminate large capital outlays for dedicated machinery until automation becomes absolutely necessary. " ...

Via Electronics Supply & Manufacturing: Principles of lean manufacturing

SPC Software Integrated in Manufacturing Services

InfinityQS International names Tegron as a certified reseller. Texas-based Tegron is a professional services firm in the plant automation space. Tegron will integrate ProFicient SPC software as part of their service offerings. ...

... "ProFicient gives Tegron the ability to integrate quality specifications into the manufacturing processes of their customers and provide infrastructure for completely integrated TQM programs within automation and information systems. " ...

Via Infinity QS: InfinityQS Expands Global Partnership Program

Select Continuous Improvement Program to Compete Globally

Embrace continuous improvement to compete effectively in your industry and marketplace. Be prepared to staff a program management office and support the culture change necessary for a lean manufacturing or Six Sigma journey. Business process focus comes first. But, software systems can support change, automation, reduction of manual efforts. ...

... "Six Sigma uses statistical analysis to reduce variation. By reducing variation, the probability of producing a defect is less. " ...

Via IndustryWeek: Which Continuous Improvement Program Is Appropriate For Your Enterprise?

Factory Future Now

The future of manufacturing is moving past lean to adaptive manufacturing, intelligent automation, sensor networks, and new models for collaboration across the value chain. ...

... "What kinds of technology will enable an adaptive manufacturing environment? Machine vision is an important example of the sort of technology that is converting manufacturing into an information-based process. " ...

Via CIO: The Future Factory

Efficient Material Handling: Lean Production

Bosch Rexroth offers insights into efficient assembly operations through references and downloads. ...

... "Efficient Material Transport in Lean Production answers many questions about when to consider automation as part of an overall lean process. Download. " ...

Via Bosch Rexroth Corp: Lean Production

Printing Machinery Lean Manufacturing

The Canterbury Press sees success in the print market through lean techniques that drive operational efficiency. The company also invests in new machinery and automation to enable it to compete effectively in the marketplace. ...

... "Canterbury was an early adopter of lean manufacturing practices to cut costs and speed production. The ROLAND 700 will help the company's employee-owners notch that advantage up further to make production even more efficient and timely. " ...

Via What They Think: Read

Continuous Improvement Project: Automation Complements

Automotive suppliers leverage automation and continuous improvement to remain competitive. ...

... "The Schrader story is an enlightening one demonstrating that, with investment in automation (brought about by a rigorous pursuit of lean manufacturing techniques and continual improvement), Western European manufacturers can compete ... " ...

Via ProcessingTalk: Link

SAP PlantFloor Integration: Supports SixSigma Efforts

GE Fanuc and SAP partner to integrate SAP ERP business system with the plant floor automation system. The systems integration supports visibility to manufacturing operations in order to drive operational efficiency and continuous improvement. ...

... "The combination of GE Fanuc's Production Management solutions with SAP's Production Execution services allows for the gathering, analyzing and transforming of real-time data into information to continuously improve a company's level of productivity and performance. The real-time visibility and intelligence facilitated by the combined solution translates into improved agility, quality and efficiency by tracking and executing production operations through a closed-loop information exchange with the SAP Business Suite.

The solutions will provide product genealogy information traced by raw material consumption and production performance data. Additionally, they will drive operational efficiency and quality as well as the ability to respond quickly to manufacturing events and trends. These flexible, capable production systems will also meet the needs of companies that typically manufacture many variants of their products and require exceptional agility." ...

Via GE Fanuc Automation: GE Fanuc Teams with SAP to Ease Enterprise Integration, Improve Quality and Drive Productivity ...

Manufacturing Software: Lean Integration ...

Factory Logic collaborates with the Automation and Drives Group of Siemens AG to integrate the Factory Logic Lean software into the Siemens SIPLACE manufacturing optimization solution. ...

... "Siemens will integrate the Factory Logic Lean Operations Suite (Factory Logic) into SIPLACE manufacturing optimization solutions for the global electronic assembly market. SIPLACE is the Siemens product family name for integrated hardware, software and services solutions to support the entire SMT (Surface Mount Technology) production facility. Factory Logic is a software solution designed from the ground up to support demand-driven production scheduling and pull-based supply synchronization using proven lean methods originally pioneered in the Toyota Production System (TPS). As part of SIPLACE lean manufacturing solutions, Factory Logic will enable electronics manufacturers to perform advanced production leveling and kanban/supermarket management functions in conjunction with SIPLACE SMT machines and other Siemens solution components. Factory Logic supports an integrated approach that directly links production to actual customer demand, while maintaining the stability required for consistent, reliable, waste-free factory and supply chain operations. Siemens will sell and support the Factory Logic software as an embedded component of SIPLACE solutions globally. " ...

Via Factory Logic: Siemens to Integrate Factory Logic Lean Manufacturing Software Into SIPLACE Electronics Assembly Solutions ...

Machine Vision Supports Six Sigma Performance Levels ...

Six Sigma repeatability supported by machine vision automation ...

... "To ensure reliable quality control, faster inspection, and good return of investment, the vision-based dimensioning system for the spark plug production line can measure eccentricity and offset to an accuracy of 0.01mm with a six-sigma repeatability of better than 10% of the tolerance value. " ...

Via ISA: Machine vision finds more uses from automotive to nuclear inspections ...

Quality Systems Leader: Lean Manufacturing Experience ...

ABB appoints quality systems leader ...

... "Quality Systems will continue its focus on developing data-driven and customer-focused capabilities that result in measurable improvements in product, process & supplier quality, customer support & responsiveness, and reliability science & technology, said Hepperla, in announcing the appointment. This is critical to our continued growth and business success. Beaudet most recently was director of Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement at Waukesha Engine/Dresser in Waukesha, WI. In this role, he was responsible for leading the implementation of Lean manufacturing and quality systems, and had direct responsibility for manufacturing engineering, product engineering and technical support functions. " ...

Via ABB Group: Beaudet named vice president, Quality Systems, ABB Automation Products, Low-Voltage Drives ...

Kaizen Streamlines Accounts Payable ...

The paper based business processes of accounts payable could benefit from kaizen streamlining. ...

... "Most manufacturers realize the benefits of applying good process automation, lean manufacturing, and performing Kaizen Events for their operations. The same principles, in fact, can be applied to perform firm-wide process improvements, starting with Accounts Payable (AP), where paper piles typically begin. " ...

Kaizen Streamlines Accounts Payable: Via ECM: Streamlining AP Through Effective Document Management

Lean Manufacturing Change Necessary to Become Competitive ...

Rockwell Automation Power Systems manufacturing site in Tennessee uses lean techniques to enable it to become competitive in the global environment. The plant values its employees and the community in which it is located, even as it has had to transform itself to survive in the environment in which it competes. ...

... "We had the quality and the customer service components. Now, we have the pricing we need. That's what lean manufacturing helped us to achieve, Case said. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Change Necessary to Become Competitive: Via The Rogersville Review, Tennesee: Rockwell Automation: Lean manufacturing gave this Rogersville company a competitive global advantage ...

Lean Manufacturing ERP Selection Criteria ...

Lean manufacturing features, such as e-kanban, were part of the criteria of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system selection. SAP bests Oracle in this selection process. ...

... "Southco also wanted an ERP system that could support its lean manufacturing initiative with features like electronic kanban and inventory management. " ...

Lean Manufacturing ERP Selection Criteria: SAP Bests Oracle at High Profile Mid-Market Account: Via Managing Automation ...

Six Sigma Contact Center Analysis ...

Contact centers can be improved through adoption of Six Sigma methods. Richard Snow explores the challenges for contact centers to reduce costs and drive productivity through technology, automation, and Six Sigma continuous improvements. ...

... "The new technologies also form the basis of two other ways to improve effectiveness: the adoption of Six Sigma quality practices and the determination of which types of contact are best-suited to be made self-service. The principle of Six Sigma is to reduce variation by taking key measures and then identifying and instituting process changes until variation in the measures falls within acceptable boundaries. " ...

Six Sigma Contact Center Analysis: Via TMCnet: Better Analytics in the Contact Center

Manufacturing Software Extends Channel Partners ...

Incuity extends its reach through new channel partners. ...

... "Incuity EMI connects to a variety of off-the-shelf plant floor historian products – such as Wonderware’s IndustrialSQL Server historian, the GE iHistorian, OSIsoft’s PI database, Rockwell Automation’s RS Bizwire Historian and any other OPC HDAcompatible historian – to access archived production data and allow users to manipulate, view, trend and report on it in the appropriate context. More importantly, it connects to multiple types of data sources across all levels of medium and large companies, from plant floor systems to enterprise business applications. It offers sophisticated capabilities for manipulating, viewing and sharing data throughout larger organizations. Incuity can access information over any network, using standard browsers, and process it as requested so users can analyze it from within the application software they already use to do their jobs – whether it’s automation control systems, word processors, spreadsheets, graphics, data mining or other programs. " ...

Manufacturing Software Extends Channel Partners: Via Incuity: Incuity Software Names Spartan Controls, BridgeWare As Value-Added Resellers for Western Canada & Korea ...

Incuity Software, based in Mission Viejo, California, is a pioneer in the creation of data management systems for reporting, analysis and business intelligence applications in manufacturing and process companies. More than 45,000 seats of the company’s products have been installed since 1998, in 13 languages and in more than 40 countries. In addition to its headquarters operations in California, Incuity has a regional sales office in Nevada and maintains an advanced solutions development group in Burlington, Ontario, Canada.

Software Supports Manufacturing Agility ...

Newest release of manufacturing execution software (MES) supports agile and adaptable manufacturing models where market requirements are in a constant state of change. ...

... "FlexNet is a highly pliable execution software that can be deployed stand-alone or to extend the value of an organization's ERP, CRM, PLM or other business systems. The software is both a broad strategic operations execution platform that ties together the diverse activities of a manufacturer's operations, as well as a modular suite of applications that can be deployed as needed to provide a tightly coordinated manufacturing solution. Built for Adaptability, Agility: FlexNet 9.3 has been built for adaptive manufacturing, an emerging strategy driven by operations execution systems that provide the flexibility, visibility and integration required to support constantly changing business requirements. The results are optimal efficiency, quality and responsiveness, which can translate into higher profitability and customer satisfaction. " ...

Software Supports Manufacturing Agility: Via Apriso Corporation: APRISO CORPORATION ANNOUNCES FLEXNET VERSION 9.3: Newest Version of Widely Used Software Provides Greater Manufacturing Agility, Adaptability ...

Additional resources on manufacturing agility:

Via Control Engineering - Role of Controls in Product Lifecycle Management: "Moreover, as an enabler for working collaboratively in the early stages of product development, digital manufacturing enables design and automation engineers to work together to quickly develop designs that can be manufactured most readily and economically within the available production facilities. Such integrated systems also support greater manufacturing agility, giving companies greater flexibility in changing operations according to shifting demands of competition and customer preference."

OUTLOOK 2005: Integration & Data Master: Via Managing Automation: "The goal for every commercial offering is to simplify the integration effort, lower cost and enable business and manufacturing agility. And everywhere you turn a vendor has an integrated solution sell for you. "

Via NEMI: GenRad Product Commercializes Technologies from NEMI’s Plug And Play Factory Project: "The adoption of NEMI's FIS standards could greatly reduce the amount of time it takes to integrate new equipment and software systems into the manufacturing supply chain. This capability is critical for maintaining manufacturing agility as well as for increasing the efficiency of shop floor operations, stated John Cartwright, co-chair of the NEMI FIS TIG and manager of Factory Information Systems at Intel."

Kaizen: Danaher Business System DBS ...

The Motley Fool crew highlights the competitive advantage that Danaher gains through the use of kaizen in its personalize method, called the Danaher Business System. ...

... "The secret to Danaher's success over the years has been its proprietary management model: the Danaher Business System (DBS). Based on the Japanese concept of kaizen, or continual improvement, the DBS is what allows Danaher to acquire companies and make them more and more efficient. " ...

Kaizen: Danaher Business System DBS: Via The Motley Fool: The Best $17 Billion Company You Don't Know ...

Additional references on the Danaher Business System, DBS:

Via ISA | Danaher: Kaizen is our way of life: "Danaher's Thomas Joyce spoke to the spirit of Kaizen at the annual Measurement, Control & Automation Association's (MCAA's) industry breakfast at ISA EXPO 2003. Joyce said Kaizen is among one of several overriding principles that guide his company and that are responsible for Danaher's remarkable and consistent business numbers over the years, including the recent manufacturing downturn during which they generated well-above-industry average profit and revenue results. "

Via PACIFIC SCIENTIFIC, EKD DIVISION: "Continuous Improvement (Kaizen) is Our Way of Life. The Danaher Business System IS our culture. We aggressively and continuously eliminate waste in every facet of our business processes. "

Via Danaher Motion - Makers of Thomson Products: "Based upon the time-tested methods of Kaizen, the DBS is a team-based mindset that continuously and aggressively eliminates waste in every facet of our business operations. Furthermore, the DBS focuses the entire organization on breakthrough objectives that culminate in maintainable, results-oriented business processes, which, in turn, create advantages for our customers in the areas of quality, delivery and performance."

Mistake-Proofing: Six Sigma PokaYoke ...

Rebecca Morgan explores the concept of poka-yoke or mistake proofing to proactively drive to high quality and low defect levels. ...

Mistake-Proofing: Six Sigma PokaYoke: Via Fresh Inc.: Getting the Laundry Out ...

... "In the last century we even decided that quality should be treated as a science and created the profession of quality management. Since then we've developed tools like quality circles, total quality management, statistical process control, and Six Sigma, all designed to help us reach the nirvana of zero defects. " ...

A Brief Tutorial: "An example cited by Shingo early in the development of poka-yoke shows how finding mistakes at a glance helps to avoid defects. Suppose a worker must assemble a device that has two push-buttons. A spring must be put under each button. Sometimes a worker will forget to put the spring under the button and a defect occurs. A simple poka-yoke device to eliminate this problem was developed. "

Via Automation World Article: Pokayoke Sensing For Color (Features): "Pokayoke is a lean manufacturing technique by which mistake-proofing devices are used to keep errors from turning into defects. Tom Rosenberg, industry manager at sensor manufacturer Balluff Inc., in Florence, Ky., defines the term further as a system that is always checking. It's making sure the part is manufactured correctly before proceeding to the next stage of manufacture. "

The 7 Wastes of Lean: "These kind of issue can be tackled using mistake proofing methods (Pokayoke) and by understanding the machine process capabilities of the production equipment. Statistical process control (SPC) will also help monitor production outputs and give warning of problems before they occur."

Plant2Enterprise Integration: ISAShow Highlights ...

Paul Studebaker provides update of the recent ISA show where plant2enterprise integration and factory-floor wireless networks were popular topics. ...

Plant2Enterprise Integration: ISAShow Highlights: Via Plant Services: Plant to enterprise: Can you hear me?

... "The top (ERP) and bottom (automation) layers of the plant information hierarchy are stable and producing, he says. But due to lack of integration, the squishy space in the middle is causing production to be delayed. " ...

Australia Lean Manufacturing: SheetMetal Fab ...

Australia Lean Manufacturing: SheetMetal Fab: Via Ferret: Lean manufacturing in sheetmetal fabrication ...

... "Lean Manufacturing encompasses the reduction of operator input, raw material stocks, set-up times, manual operations and costs while increasing production. In Australia several manufactures have applied these principles in selecting machinery but surprisingly the larger the company doesn't always equate to the larger the automation. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Cost Reduction Programme

Lean Manufacturing: Cost Reduction Programme: Via Business Times: Riverstone eyes new customers in biotech, drugs industries ...

... "To overcome this, Riverstone will work aggressively on cost-reduction programmes such as using alternative fuel supply, streamlining processes, automation-led productivity and company-wide lean manufacturing. " ...

Lean Six Sigma: RFID Technology Impact ...

Hallie Forcinio explores the application of RFID technology in manufacturing, highlighting the importance of aligning the technology with important plant floor initiatives such as lean manufacturing and Six Sigma. ...

Lean Six Sigma: RFID Technology Impact: Via Managing Automation: A New Force on the Factory Floor ...

... "When deploying RFID, it's essential to consider the meaningful information the technology provides, such as support for lean manufacturing or Six Sigma programs. " ...

Six Sigma Productivity Enhancements Drive Operating Margin Expansion ...

Covance is meeting with success through its Six Sigma program ...

Six Sigma Productivity Enhancements Drive Operating Margin Expansion: Via Covance: COVANCE GROWS EPS 26%; DELIVERS RECORD ORDERS AND MARGINS: Revenue Growth of 15.2%; Operating Margin Expands to 14.9%; Backlog Grows 19% to $1.57 Billion ...

... "Overall company productivity, as measured by revenue per employee and operating margin per employee, continued to increase on both a year-over-year and sequential basis. We expect further overall margin expansion to be fueled by economies of scale in our lab-based businesses, faster growth of our more profitable service offerings, and further productivity enhancements through the expansion of our Six Sigma program and technology automation. " ...

Covance, with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey, is one of the world's largest and most comprehensive drug development services companies with annual revenues greater than $1 billion, global operations in 18 countries, and more than 7,000 employees worldwide.

Process Management: Six Sigma Digitization

Industry initiatives in BPM develop synergy with Six Sigma process digitization programs. Doug Henschen explores the adoption of business process management BPM with Connie Moore, Forrester Research.

Process Management: Six Sigma Digitization: Via Intelligent Enterprise Magazine: In Focus: 101 Advice for Process Management Neophytes

... "Process owners see this as a way to commit to Six Sigma or other improvement initiatives. BPM touches many pieces of the organization, and that's why you see it described in many different ways. " ...

References on Six Sigma process digitization:

... "Via AWProfessional: From e-Business to Services: Why and Why Now?: The logical next step of Six Sigma is process digitization. The digitization goal: to utilize Internet-based workflows wherever possible to eliminate process friction and streamline the operations of GE. " ...

... "Via Birlasoft: Advanced Digitization of Six Sigma Implementation: One of the key ingredient to the success of Six Sigma implementation is to manage all key Black Belt and Green Belt projects. These projects ideally link up to organizational strategy and goals. " ...

... "Via destinationCRM.com: Bringing Six Sigma to Customer-Facing Business Processes: CRM supports the Six Sigma methodology DMAIC in the following ways: Improve, Control, and standardize processes through automation, digitization, and use of best practices embedded in the business applications. " ...

Electronic Kanban: Lean Manufacturing ...

Software enables digitized, or electronic, kanban which supports transformation to lean manufacturing ...

Via Automation: e-Kanban: A Key to Lean

... "e-kanban, in contrast, focuses specifically on centralizing and managing all of the mission critical data. Real-time transaction capture and tracking builds a repository of information, ripe for process improvement analysis. " ...

Six Sigma Gains Accrue ...

Six Sigma Gains Accrue: ATS Automation Tooling Systems reports strong first quarter earnings growth on modest advance in revenue ...

... "As expected, the effect of some of these more significant initiatives will require time before the benefits will begin to be realized in the form of improved operating results. Gains are expected to accrue from its ongoing enhancement initiatives resulting from the application of Six Sigma, improved equipment utilization, and other cost savings measures. PCG continues to progress towards improved profitability; " ...

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. is the industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. ATS is also an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules. The Company also makes precision components and subassemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology. ATS employs approximately 4,200 people at 26 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific.

Six Sigma Robotics Saves Factory ...

Six Sigma Robotics Saves Factory: FANUC Robotics’ Rick Schneider To Present Save Your Factory At Management Briefing Seminar
In Traverse City, Michigan ...

... "The Save Your Factory initiative encourages North American manufacturers to use productivity-enhancing technologies to become globally competitive. FANUC Robotics and the other Save Your Factory coalition members are committed to helping manufacturers understand that automation, lean manufacturing, six sigma, industrial robots, and other process improvement methods will combat the economic lure of moving their manufacturing operations, said Schneider. " ...

FANUC Robotics, the robotics industry leader, designs, engineers and manufactures innovative robots and robotic systems that help manufacturers improve their competitive position. The company also produces software, controls and vision products that are incorporated into state-of-the-art robotic systems.

Lean Manufacturing Focus

Lean Manufacturing Focus: Methode Electronics, Inc. Reports Fiscal 2005 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results and Declares $0.05 Quarterly Dividend ...

... "Our ongoing focus on lean manufacturing, automation, and migration to lower cost manufacturing regions has helped our automotive businesses sustain their performance in what has been a challenging year for Detroit. " ...

Methode Electronics, Inc. is a global manufacturer of component and subsystem devices. Methode designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Methode's components are found in the primary end markets of the automotive, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), aerospace, rail and other transportation industries; and the consumer and industrial equipment markets.

Six Sigma Product Standards ...

Six Sigma Product Standards: Motorola and ViaStar Energy to Provide Remote Meter Reading Solution for Residential Water Customers: Wireless Automation to Help Control Costs for Utilities ...

Motorola partners to deliver wireless meter reading product that meets rigorous Six Sigma quality manufacturing standards ...

... "Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) announced today it has selected ViaStar Energy, Inc. as the master distributor for its Motorola® Remote Meter Reading Solution for North American residential water market customers. The wireless Automated Meter Reading (AMR) solution, which enables utilities to remotely read meters multiple times per day and access other important daily interval data from a distance, was developed to help utilities control costs and decrease operating expenses. ... A completely scalable, end-to-end solution for utilities, the system components offer a superb level of quality and reliability, including: Designed to Six Sigma manufacturing standard; Operation in urban and rural environments of all sizes; Compatible with Motorola and other existing networks; Rates competitive with drive-by metering technology; Two-year warranty on all hardware " ...

ViaStar Energy, Inc. is a privately held utility management company based in Indianapolis, Indiana. ViaStar’s business is focused upon implementing meters and metering technology for utilities. ViaStar provides a complete spectrum of services from technology provisioning, implementation and back office read, billing and customer care.

Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace and all spaces in between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and information you need, anywhere, anytime. Seamless mobility harnesses the power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004.

Application of Six Sigma ...

Application of Six Sigma: ATS reports dramatic growth in fourth quarter automation systems and solar performance ...

... "PCG continues to aggressively pursue an earnings recovery and as noted, is streamlining its operations to create a stronger, more focused platform for the future. More gains are expected to accrue from its ongoing enhancement initiatives resulting from the application of Six Sigma, improved equipment utilization, and other cost savings measures. " ...

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. (www.atsautomation.com) is the industry's leading designer and producer of turn-key automated manufacturing and test systems, which are used primarily by multinational corporations operating in a variety of industries including: automotive, computer/electronics, healthcare, and consumer products. ATS is also an emerging leader in the rapidly growing market for solar energy cells and modules. The Company also makes precision components and subassemblies using its own custom-built manufacturing systems, process knowledge and automation technology. ATS employs approximately 4,200 people at 26 manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia-Pacific. The Company's shares are traded on The Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ATA.

Lean Manufacturing Software Interoperability ...

Lean Manufacturing Software Interoperability: Brooks Software Announces Enterprise Interoperability Hub Connecting Manufacturing Applications to Enterprise Business Systems ...

Interoperable manufacturing software enables lean enterprise business processes ...

... "Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS) and a leading provider of real-time applications for complex manufacturing operations, today announced the Enterprise Interoperability Hub(TM) (EI Hub), which enables comprehensive information exchange between manufacturing and enterprise business applications. Conformant with ISA-S95 and OAG standards, the EI Hub uses Smart Adapters to link Brooks' FACTORYworks(R) manufacturing execution system (MES) to enterprise applications such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM). " ...

Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, provides real-time applications that support enterprise-wide initiatives for greater efficiency and productivity in collaborative, complex manufacturing. Brooks' Sense Decide Respond(TM) manufacturing software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise performance management. Installed in the majority of Fortune 500 manufacturers, Brooks Software delivers competitive advantage to aerospace & defense, automotive, high tech, life sciences and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide.

Lean Manufacturing Intelligence Solution ...

ICONICS' New Manufacturing Intelligence Solutions for Regulated Industries

... "ICONICS, a leader in Web-enabled, OPC-based HMI/SCADA and Manufacturing Intelligence Visualization software for Microsoft Windows operating systems, today announced its new Manufacturing Intelligence Software Suite for Regulated Industries. BizViz, ICONICS' real-time manufacturing intelligence solution, enables pharmaceutical and other regulated industries to overcome today's business challenges regarding collection, management, analysis, and sharing of real-time information. ... Configurable Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) enable real-time performance tracking against set targets. BizViz supports Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Demand Pull process-improvement initiatives with many KPIs used in the pharmaceutical industry, such as OEE, Cycle Time, and Productivity. BizViz embraces the framework of Collaborative Manufacturing, and extends it via a reliable and OPC-based interoperable platform that can be easily customized to meet one's specific needs. " ...

Founded in 1986, ICONICS is a leader in the development of Web-enabled industrial automation and manufacturing intelligence software for Microsoft® Windows® operating systems. Offering the industry's only suite of fully-integrated OPC-based components and products, GENESIS32™ Enterprise Edition is available for Windows XP, 95, 98, Millennium, and 2000, and Windows NT®. Pocket GENESIS™ for Windows CE and Pocket PC was built from the ground up based on ICONICS' OPC-To-The-Core™ framework. BizViz™ is a suite of manufacturing and business intelligence products, which bridge the gap between manufacturing and corporate business information systems. BizViz is designed around Microsoft .NET technology, Microsoft SharePoint™ and runs on Microsoft server 2003. ICONICS also offers a complete set of Plug and Play automation components, including best-in-class OPC ActiveX® Controls, OPC Toolkit, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Microsoft SQL Server®–based data logging, Multimedia Alarming, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) products. ICONICS is a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, represented in over 50 countries and has in excess of 150,000 products installations worldwide.

Lean Enterprise Program ...

News Item

... "Red River Depot, Texas: Army Ground Systems Integrated Lean Enterprise (AGILE): $4.2 million to support the Army�s Logistics Modernization Program goals through enhanced automation." ...

Lean Accounting: Summit in the Fall ...

Lean Accounting Summit

... "Flexware Innovation announces the first annual Lean Accounting Summit to take place in Dearborn, Michigan September 22-23, 2005. The event is being sponsored by Flexware, the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME), and the Society for Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and will feature more than 20 lean accounting thought-leaders. Notable presenters will include, among others, Tom Johnson, Professor of Business Administration at Portland State University, Brian Maskell, President of BMA Inc., and Orry Fiume, 2004 Shingo Prize winning author of Real Numbers: Management Accounting in a Lean Organization." ...

Flexware was founded in 1996 by Scott Whitlock as a manufacturing IT and automation services company. The company quickly formed a niche in Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), helping companies strategize, select, and implement custom and commercial-off-the-shelf systems. Flexware employs more than 30 manufacturing systems professionals and support staff, serving clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, assembly, and automotive industries. In 2002 Flexware defined a unique continuous improvement process called highlandpath to guide clients through operational and enterprise excellence transformations. This group utilizes this proprietary process to find high leverage, high meaning opportunities and seizes those opportunities with the best of Lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies.

Six Sigma Supplier Performance ...

Six Sigma Supplier Performance: Asyst Awards Solectron 2004 Distinguished Supplier Award

Solectron awarded supplier performance award, leveraging Six Sigma to improve quality ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... "With Solectron's emphasis on Lean manufacturing to reduce waste in the production process and its Six Sigma system to increase quality, our products are ...

... Solectron Corporation (NYSE:SLR), a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, said today its Shinei subsidiary was awarded the Distinguished Supplier Award for 2004 by Asyst Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASYT) for its Singapore system-integration operations. This award recognizes the special arrangements Shinei put in place, including utilizing cleanroom facilities, to meet the company's requirements to manufacture its semiconductor manufacturing equipment, such as Asyst's new 300mm wafer handling solution, the Spartan(TM) Sorter. ...

Asyst Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of integrated automation solutions that enable semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturers to increase their manufacturing productivity and protect their investments in materials during the manufacturing process. Encompassing isolation systems, work-in-process materials management, substrate-handling robotics, automated transport and loading systems and connectivity automation software, Asyst's modular, interoperable solutions allow chip and FPD manufacturers, as well as original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, to select and employ the value-assured, hands-off manufacturing capabilities that best suit their needs.

Solectron provides a full range of worldwide manufacturing and integrated supply chain services to the world's premier high-tech electronics companies. Solectron's offerings include new-product design and introduction services, materials management, product manufacturing and product warranty and end-of-life support. The company is based in Milpitas, Calif., and had sales from continuing operations of $11.64 billion in fiscal 2004.

Lean Manufacturing Enterprise Initiatives ...

Lean Manufacturing Enterprise Initiatives: Brooks Software Successfully Deploys Activity Manager in Chartered ...

Semiconductor manufacturing implements software to enable lean manufacturing execution processs ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise ...

... Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc. (Nasdaq: BRKS) and a leading provider of real-time applications for enterprises with collaborative, complex manufacturing operations, today announced that Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing, one of the world's top dedicated semiconductor foundries, has installed Brooks' factory automation execution application, Activity Manager, in its first 300-millimeter (mm) wafer fabrication facility, Fab 7, in Singapore. Activity Manager controls and monitors the manufacturing workflow and automates the decision-making and execution processes across a factory's manufacturing execution system (MES) software and the automated material handling system (AMHS). ...

Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, provides real-time applications that support enterprise-wide initiatives for greater efficiency and productivity in collaborative, complex manufacturing. Brooks' Sense Decide Respond(TM) manufacturing software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise performance management. Installed in the majority of Fortune 500 manufacturers, Brooks Software delivers competitive advantage to aerospace & defense, automotive, high tech, life sciences and semiconductor manufacturers worldwide.

Lean Manufacturing Initiative Drives Operational Efficiency of the Cash Cycle ...

Lean Manufacturing Initiative Drives Operational Efficiency of the Cash Cycle: Emerson Reports Record First-Quarter 2005 Sales Up 10 Percent to ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... We continue to excel on our operational efficiency and lean manufacturing initiatives, with the average days-in-the-cash-cycle improving to 74 days in the ...

... Emerson (NYSE: EMR) announced that net sales increased 10 percent to $4 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2005, ended December 31, 2004, with increases in all business segments and double-digit sales growth in Process Management, Industrial Automation, and Network Power. Underlying sales were up 5 percent for the quarter, excluding the impact of exchange rates (3 percent) and acquisitions (2 percent). Net earnings for the first quarter increased 22 percent to $297 million, or $0.70 per share. Net earnings in the first quarter of fiscal 2004 were $244 million, or $0.58 per share. ...

Additional resources on improving the cash cycle with lean manufacturing ...

Ducati aims for new angle of lean with Oracle: cutting costs, reducing inventory investment and improving overall asset ... for the median; and cash-to-cash cycle time was ... œAt the heart of the lean movement is ...

Takt Times: Competitive advantage is possible by improving information flow. ... technology domain of computerized systems or lean approaches like kanbans. ... Cash-to-cash cycle. ...

Improve Cash Flow: Inventory Turns.... it impacts the "cash to cash" cycle - you've paid ... is a key element in improving inventory management ... a build to order system, lean manufacturing strategies and ...

Six Sigma Network Infrastructure Initiatives Through Automated Configuration ...

Six Sigma Network Infrastructure Initiatives: AlterPoint Announces Availability of DeviceAuthority Suite 3.5

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... allowing organizations to align and enforce internal and industry initiatives, regulations, and standards such as ITIL, NSA, ISO, Sarbanes-Oxley and Six Sigma. ...

... AlterPoint(TM), Inc., the leading provider of intelligent network change and configuration management (NCCM) solutions, today announced the availability of DeviceAuthority(TM) Suite 3.5, a comprehensive solution for automating and managing the change and configuration of complex, multi-vendor network infrastructures. DeviceAuthority Suite 3.5 delivers extended intelligence giving IT professionals the necessary information to proactively automate configuration changes throughout the IT infrastructure. Through new NCCM features and functionalities including automated policy remediation, graphical summary reports, CiscoWorks RME integration, remote access authentication and proactive configuration syntax checking, network compliance, security and change management can be effectively and intelligently managed in-line with business demands. ...

AlterPoint's Network Intelligence Model(TM) (NIM) reduces the complexity, risk and expertise required to manage the configuration of the network. The NIM automatically captures, normalizes and classifies detailed information about a device configuration, including all physical and logical components (e.g. Operating System version, Access Control Lists, etc), their attributes and the relationships between them. The NIM also contains an embedded library of expert knowledge for the management of components in the model, which is automatically applied to these components as they are discovered and classified. The combination of a detailed, vendor-independent data model with out-of-the-box expert knowledge enables organizations to analyze, implement and manage changes in an intelligent manner--without requiring scripting. AlterPoint develops intelligent network change and configuration management (NCCM) solutions that have pioneered the evolution of network management. Companies worldwide rely on the intelligence and automation provided by AlterPoint's award-winning product, DeviceAuthority Suite, to proactively manage configuration change, compliance and security across their multi-vendor network to maximize the performance and availability of their IT infrastructure. Founded in 2001, AlterPoint is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Europe and Asia.

Additional resources on Six Sigma network infrastructure ...

Six Sigma and ITIL: Six Sigma and the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL ... success factors for implementing Six Sigma in the ... in service level management and network management platforms ...

Converging with Six Sigma: and low latency with reduced infrastructure and operational ... back from technology and look at the network from a ... Programs such as Six Sigma can provide network ...

IDXchange 2004 Vol. 3: see what you're doing." Six Sigma methodologies have ... integrated delivery network with six acute care ... Without a solid network infrastructure, however, none of ...

Data Mining to Drive BioInformatics at Upcoming Conference on Pharma Industry Drug Discovery ...

Data Mining to Drive BioInformatics: IBM to Sponsor and Present at PharmaDiscovery

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... IBM will provide a guest speaker to the PharmaDiscovery Conference in a session titled "Bioinformatics and data mining - algorithms for feature detection and ...

... PharmaDiscovery, an Elsevier event, is pleased to announce that IBM has become a Platinum Sponsor of this new event, May 10-12, 2005 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center. PharmaDiscovery, an event for scientists by scientists, will convey the scientific expertise and global reach of Elsevier in a new, knowledge-based forum combining pure scientific insight with drug discovery technology. ...

PharmaDiscovery will attract members of the academic and pharmaceutical scientific R&D communities, regulatory authorities and developers and suppliers of critical technologies. An exhibit hall will feature exhibitors in categories such as automation integration, chemistry-related products, contract research, sample preparation, microarray products, custom databases, lab equipment, proteomics, screening and assay tools. Exhibitors include: Apple Computer, Inc., Caliper, CambridgeSoft Corporation, CEM Corporation, ChromaVision Medical Systems, Inc., Drug Discovery Today, EMD Biosciences, Inc., Fujitsu America, Gyros, Harlan, IBM Healthcare and Life Sciences, In Vitro Technologies, Key Organics Ltd, MDL Information Systems Inc., Metabolon, Molecular Devices Corporation, NCI, Nature Publishing Group, NeuroScience Associates, Pharmacore, Inc., RBI US Life Science Group, sciencejobs.com, SelectScience, Visual Sonics and more.

Additional resources on data mining to drive bioinformatics ...

Data Mining For Bioinformatics: will cover in the course are: 1. An introduction to data mining 2. Exploratory ... For example, suppose you have said the 20 gene training data on drive C. Then ...

Apple - Science - Cluster for Bioinformatics Award Honorable: new wet-bench technology and collects data to drive the bioinformatics. ... to currently available informatics tools for analysis and data mining, and much ...

Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: Lawrence, who has used innovative Bioinformatics methods to ... of amino acids, which drive water-hating ... professor of mathematics, uses data mining methods such as ...

BioInformatics Convergence Conference on Drug Discovery and Devices ...

BioInformatics Convergence: Boston Scientific COO Paul LaViolette to Headline Elite Group of ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... partners, PLSG invests in and supports the growth of regional life sciences companies in the areas of: bioinformatics; bionanotechnology; diagnostics; medical ...

... The leading authorities on combination drug/device therapies will speak at Convergence 2005: The Drug/Device Summit, March 21-23, 2005. Headlining the event, Boston Scientific COO Paul LaViolette will provide insights on the successes and challenges of Taxus, one of the largest combination drug/device products on the market today. Convergence 2005: The Drug/Device Summit is a first-of-its-kind partnering and investor event devoted to bringing together the companies fueling dramatic growth in drug/device therapies. ...

The Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO) represents more than 1,000 biotechnology companies, academic institutions, state biotechnology centers and related organizations in all 50 U.S. states and 33 other nations. BIO members are involved in the research and development of health-care, agricultural, industrial and environmental biotechnology products. AdvaMed is the world's largest association representing manufacturers of
medical devices, diagnostic products, and medical information systems. AdvaMed's more than 1,200 members and subsidiaries manufacture nearly 90 percent of the $75 billion of health care technology products purchased
annually in the United States, and more than 50 percent of the $175 billion purchased annually around the world. AdvaMed members range from the largest to the smallest medical technology innovators and companies. Nearly 70 percent of our members have fewer than $30 million in sales annually. The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse is a public/private partnership, founded by the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, UPMC Health System, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its regional foundation community. Together with private industry and advanced research and healthcare capabilities of our institutional partners, PLSG invests in and supports the growth of regional life sciences companies in the areas of: bioinformatics; bionanotechnology; diagnostics; medical devices; medical robotics; therapeutics; and tools and services.

Additional resources on bioinformatics convergence ...

Convention Program: 2:30 pm-5:15 pm. Science Track: Bioinformatics Convergence I: The Convergence of IT and Life Sciences Moderator: Dr. Suchira Pande, Jagtiani+Guttag ...

The Convergence of Medical and Bio-informatics The Convergence of: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Conclusion The convergence of Medical Informatics and Bioinformatics will provide a much broader view of the composition of health ...

UCLA Bioinformatics: The convergence in bioinformatics of waves of exponentially growing data and computer power indicate an exciting opportunity for theorists. ...

Functional informatics: convergence and integration of: Functional informatics: convergence and integration of automation and bioinformatics. Author(s): Sergey E Ilyin 1 | Alejandro Bernal ...

Application of Lean Techniques to Support Restructuring Efforts ...

Application of Lean Techniques: NATCO Group Inc. Sets Forth New Initiatives

From PR Newswire (press release) ... will be achieved at the Company's four primary manufacturing facilities and elsewhere through the application of lean manufacturing techniques designed to ...

... NATCO Group Inc. (NYSE: NTG) announced today plans to restructure its business segments in order to improve execution and customer focus. In addition, the Company announced certain initiatives to enhance the Company's profitability in 2005 and beyond. In order to capitalize on competencies in the manufacture, sale and service of production equipment and systems, the Company will restructure its business segments by end-use markets and related technologies: Gas Technologies, Oil & Water Technologies and Automation & Controls. ...

NATCO Group Inc. is a leading provider of wellhead process equipment, systems and services used in the production of oil and gas. NATCO has designed, manufactured and marketed production equipment and services for more than 75 years. NATCO production equipment is used onshore and offshore in most major oil and gas producing regions of the world.

Additional resources on the application of lean techniques ...

Lean Champion: depth understanding of LEAN tools and techniques as well ... Week 3: Application of LEAN Business Solutions. The LEAN Champion learns how to identify and maintain ...

Lean Six Sigma - VPMEP: Lean Six Sigma is the application of lean techniques to increase ... Utilizing the George Group’s material and techniques, VPMEP can deliver Lean Six Sigma ...

Strategic Application of Lean Thinking: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... levels; tools and technologies, manufacturing methods and general ... Strategic Application of Lean Thinking ... develop, the use of existing lean techniques will be ...

Six Sigma Receivables Management Drives Cash Cycle ...

Six Sigma Receivables Management Drives Cash Cycle: Enterprise Companies Recognize the Need to Be in Command of the ...

From Market Wire (press release) ... software applications for revenue and receivables management, looks ahead to 2005 as the year where such corporate trends as Six Sigma and outsourcing ...

... Aceva Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software applications for revenue and receivables management, looks ahead to 2005 as the year where such corporate trends as Six Sigma and outsourcing accelerate their impact on corporate finance and accounting departments and this year's heavy focus on Sarbanes Oxley moves into a new phase for compliance initiatives. ...

Aceva Technologies is a leading provider of enterprise application software solutions for revenue and receivables management. Aceva's solutions for order quality, dispute prevention, inventory transaction reconciliation, deductions management, collections management, and cash forecasting directly address quote-to-cash process breakdowns, quality issues, and automation requirements. Aceva's products deliver end-to-end revenue and receivables visibility, continuous business policy monitoring, collections process automation and workflow, as well as comprehensive reporting and analytics. As a result, customers are able to optimize financial performance and working capital, improve operational excellence and customer satisfaction, and comply with internal controls and regulatory requirements. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, Aceva's customers include Honeywell, Sun Microsystems, and Philips.

Additional resources on six sigma receivables management ...

Thomas Pyzdek and Six Sigma: Accounts receivable—The Six Sigma team was tasked with improving the accounts receivable department's collection process. The ...

Six Sigma - Show Your CEO the Money: Six Sigma project savings can be found in ... that reduce inventory and cash receivables by cycle ... production scheduling, better supplier management, faster customer ...

McKesson Health Systems: Six Sigma: We have completed Six Sigma projects in our distribution center operations, contracts management, accounts receivable, accounts payable, dock to dock, drop ship ...

Six Sigma Automotive Suppliers Make Progress ...

Six Sigma Automotive Suppliers: We must be proud of the new breed ...

From ic Birmingham.co.uk, UK ... "Technology has also been another key driver, with suppliers clearly recognising the need to embrace six-sigma, high voltage systems and the latest ...

Accelerated six sigma applications by automotive suppliers ...

Best Practice in Tier 1 Automotive Manufacturing: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... In 1986, 30,000 automotive suppliers competed in a $250 ... of data a month enables six sigma and continuous ... Automation suppliers generally lack solutions that can ...

Autoliv - Quality: Applying the corporate-wide Six Sigma initiative, which was started in 2001 ... the car manufacturers, quality is a competitive tool for many automotive suppliers. ...

Automotive industry trends demand Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Automotive suppliers need to move quickly to insure survival. ... DeKoker strongly advises that firms focus on Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma. ...

Six Sigma workshops to aid West Midlands firms: automotive companies based upon a series of Six Sigma key objectives and selected projects. This will be targeted to up to 10 SME automotive suppliers in the ...

Chinese Automotive Boom: in Shanghai and spent a year teaching Six Sigma methods to Chinese automotive officials. ... Suppliers, including a growing number of American companies, are ...

Six Sigma to save Ford $300 million: Vitec courts minority suppliers Compiled by Senior Editor ... Compiled by the staff of WARD'S AUTOMOTIVE REPORTS. Six Sigma to save Ford $300 million Compiled by ...

Six Sigma ERP: Leading Provider of Product Lifecycle Management Solutions Selects Epicor ERP ...

Six Sigma ERP: Leading Provider of Product Lifecycle Management Solutions Selects ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Corporation For 20 years, Epicor has been a recognized leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship ...

... Epicor Software Corporation (Nasdaq: EPIC), a leading provider of integrated enterprise software solutions for the midmarket, today announced that Formation Systems, a leading provider of Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, has chosen Epicor for Services Enterprises to streamline accounting processes, maximize resource utilization, and effectively manage service engagements. ...

For 20 years, Epicor has been a recognized leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) software solutions to midmarket companies around the world. With the recent acquisition of Scala, Epicor is a global leader in the midmarket serving over 20,000 customers in over 140 countries. Epicor leverages innovative technologies like Web services in developing end-to-end, industry-specific solutions for manufacturing, distribution, enterprise services automation, and hospitality that enable companies to immediately drive efficiency throughout business operations and build competitive advantage. With the scalability and flexibility to support long-term growth, Epicor's solutions are complemented by a full range of services, providing a single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership. Epicor's worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, California with offices and affiliates around the world.

Lean Manufacturing EPC: Brooks Software Joins EPCglobal US to Develop and Promote RFID ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... software solutions are the foundation for enterprise initiatives in supply chain execution, closed loop automation, lean manufacturing and enterprise ...

... Brooks Software, a division of Brooks Automation, Inc., and a leading provider of real-time applications for enterprises with collaborative, complex manufacturing operations, today announced that it has joined EPCglobal US, an affiliate of EPCglobal Inc. EPCglobal Inc. develops and oversees commercial and technical standards for the EPCglobal Network(TM). As a subscriber to EPCglobal US, Brooks Software will provide support for adoption of the EPCglobal Network and participate in the EPCglobal community's creation of industry standards for electronic product code (EPC) technology. ...

Six Sigma Initiative: META Group Ranks IDS Scheer as a Market Leader in METAspectrum ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Six Sigma is another example of a strategic initiative that must begin with an understanding of how companies conduct business today in order to map those best ...

... IDS Scheer North America, the leading provider of business process excellence services and tools, today announced that its ARIS Process Platform has been ranked as a market leader in META Group's METAspectrum(SM) report for Enterprise Architecture Tools. In the evaluative report, ARIS scored high in both presence and performance categories. IDS Scheer received top scores in terms of awareness, industry focus, share and personnel. ...

IDS Scheer is the leading provider of solutions for business process excellence. The company's ARIS-based solutions offer a complete portfolio for "Business Process Excellence," including the services, software and methods to address all phases of the business process lifecycle: design, implementation, execution and continuous improvement. From small/medium enterprises to Global 1000 organizations, IDS Scheer provides a wide array of solutions to help customers optimize, and profit from, their investments in Supply Chain Management (SCM), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Next Generation Business Process Automation solutions. As a SAP Global Services Partner, IDS Scheer enables customers to maximize their SAP investment and build winning businesses. As part of an organization of more than 2000 employees worldwide and over 250 in North America, IDS Scheer is built upon a foundation of business process excellence that began when the company was founded in 1984 by August-Wilhelm Scheer, widely recognized as a founding father of Business Process Management.

Six Sigma Framework: IRIS 2.0 software suite automates the Rational Unified Process ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... IRIS 2.0 system can be used as easily to integrate RUP with leading process improvement frameworks such as CMM (Capability Maturity Model), ISO and Six Sigma. ...

... Today during the SD Process Conference, Osellus, a leading software process automation system provider, announced the availability of a new version of company's IRIS process automation system aimed at simplifying the tailoring and deployment of the Rational Unified Process from IBM Corporation. ...

Osellus is a leading provider of process improvement and automation solutions for the software development industry. Osellus is an IBM Partner and an active Platform Member of the Object Management Group. Osellus helps software development organizations select, enhance, model and automate the underlying processes that support their application development efforts. By adopting a process-centric development model, Osellus customers are better positioned to meet their time-to-market, quality and cost objectives.

Six Sigma Study: New Cross-Industry Study by Economist Intelligence Unit Finds High ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... optimization (BPO), Lean Manufacturing, process automation, supply chain rationalization, IT implementation, corporate organizational realignment, and Six Sigma ...

... More than 4 in 10 (43%) of 276 senior executives surveyed in a major new study said that performance improvement initiatives undertaken at their companies over the past three years failed to achieve their objectives. The results emerged in a study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and sponsored by Celerant Consulting, the global firm renowned for implementing major operational performance improvements. The study found that almost half (45%) of executives cited their improvement initiatives at the company or business-unit level performed below plan, while fewer than one third performed above plan. ...

Celerant helps leading companies worldwide achieve better business results by improving their operational performance. Our collaborative style truly connects us to each client's business, while our can-do approach and the practical tools we provide change the fundamental dynamics of how people work, individually and collectively. The outcome? Rapid improvements in process and personal performance, leading to improved business results and sustained financial benefits - all within clearly defined timeframes. Celerant Consulting is an affiliate of Novell, Inc. The Economist Intelligence Unit, the business information arm of The Economist Group, publisher of The Economist, is the world's leading provider of country intelligence, with over 500,000 customers in corporations, banks, universities and government institutions. Our mission is to help companies do better business by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on market trends and business strategies.

Manufacturing Excellence Committment: General Cable and Panduit Announce Alliance and Introduce PanGen ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... "With our joint commitment to research and development, manufacturing excellence, customer satisfaction and ongoing industry leadership, we believe we bring ...

... General Cable Corporation (NYSE:BGC), a global manufacturer of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable, and Panduit, a world leader in network and electrical solutions, today announced a new alliance and the introduction of the PanGen(TM) Structured Cabling Solutions designed to meet diverse network infrastructure requirements. The new General Cable and Panduit alliance brings together two respected leaders in cable and connectivity to provide a comprehensive line of structured cabling solutions. The strength of this new alliance includes research and product development along with extensive joint marketing and sales programs, which will bring enhanced customer-focused products and services to the market. ...

PANDUIT is a global leader in wiring and communication products, delivering end-to-end solutions in support of demanding electrical and networking requirements. The PANDUIT solution is built on a foundation of quality and durability to ensure maximum reliability and performance. Continually focused on market needs, research and development enables PANDUIT to provide innovative products that meet today's applications and environments. This provides leading-edge solutions that allow businesses to move forward with their strategic objectives.

GENERAL CABLE, headquartered in Highland Heights, Kentucky, is a leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for the energy, industrial, specialty and communications markets. The Company offers competitive strengths in such areas as breadth of product line, brand recognition, distribution and logistics, sales and service and operating efficiency. Energy cables include low-, medium- and high-voltage power distribution and power transmission products. The Industrial and Specialty segment is comprised of application-specific cables for uses such as electrical power generation (traditional fuels, alternative and renewable sources, and distributed generation), the oil, gas and petrochemical industries, mining, industrial automation, marine, military and aerospace applications, power applications in the telecommunications industry, and other key industrial segments. Communications wire and cable products transmit low-voltage signals for voice, data, video and control applications.

Manufacturing Excellence: Texas Instruments Semiconductor Group - Midland, TX:Quality Improvement Teams

From BMP Surveys Online ...

... "Manufacturing excellence has been achieved by the direct involvement of focused groups of operators, technicians, and managers working together to solve specific problems. The creation of self-managed work teams empowered employees to act where they felt they were responsible for eliminating conditions that caused or contributed to problems. One team developed the idea of Total Productive Maintenance as a way to eliminate problems that cause equipment breakdown. Other teams developed application of a soft touch marking system and an alternative lead frame carousel. The automation of a mechanical/visual defect control system resulted in a system that uses eight people in two manufacturing modules today. " ...