Accelerated Lean Manufacturing Implementation: Aerospace

Aerospace company implements lean manufacturing principles. ...

... "In 2006, the company finalized a labor contract with the union at the Chicago plant to facilitate accelerated implementation of Lean Manufacturing principles, established a satellite support plant in Anderson, Indiana and invested more than $6 million of capital expenditures. " ...

Via Northstar Aerospace: Strong start on 2007 CH-47 Chinook order intake for Northstar Aerospace Inc.

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification ...

Six Sigma certification is helpful to companies that are starting or sustaining their quality journey. ...

... "Starting this week students in ISSSC's Green Belt courses can obtain their Six Sigma Green Belt and their Certified Manager Process Improvement (CMPI). Testing for both certifications will be given at the end of the 3 day course. Next Green Belt courses start on October 11th in Chicago, and November 7th in Columbus. Black Belt students can test for their Certified Manager Process Excellence (CMPE) along with their Black Belt Certification. Testing for both certifications will be given at the end of the 5 day course. Next Black Belt courses start on October 9th in Cincinnati, October 16th in Chicago, and November 13th in Columbus. " ...

Via ISSSC: Dual Certifications Offered at ISSSC's Six Sigma Black Belt and Green Belt Courses

Lean Manufacturing Strategy: Workforce Culture ...

Lean culture moves ownership of continuous improvement to the workforce. ...

... "Many recommend moving to a lean manufacturing strategy, using a step-by-step tool such as Six Sigma to reduce cycle time from order taking to product delivery. The lean approach requires a company culture where workers take ownership of the processes, continually look for ways to improve them, and are rewarded financially for their success. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Strategy: Workforce Culture: Via Chicago Tribune: Workers contribute to bottom line ...

Lean Manufacturing: Automated Processing Applications for Plasma Systems ...

March plans exhibition of it plasma processing applications for lean manufacturers. ...

... "March will be showcasing the versatile FlexTRAK plasma system. The FlexTRAK system is ideally suited for automated plasma processing in lean manufacturing environments while meeting the challenges of the advanced technology clinical applications. March supplies a complete line of award winning and patented systems for both automated and batch processing applications.

Plasma applications include ultra-cleaning, to enhance bonding and/or remove contaminants; surface barrier improvement and/or hardening, to reduce moisture penetration, chemical damage or wear; surface functionalization, to facilitate cell growth and desired surface activation; and surface wettability, to improve fluid flow and bonding. Typical clinical diagnostics products processed include microtitre or well plates, pipette or dispensing tips, filter media, pcbs and sensors. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Automated Processing Applications for Plasma Systems: Via March Plasma Systems: March Plasma Systems to Exhibit at the Clinical Lab Expo Chicago, IL July 25 - 27, 2006 ...

Lean Sigma Blitz: Presentation at Manufacturing Conference ...

nMetric leader delivers presentation on the Lean Sigma Blitz at the upcoming National Manufacturing Week conference ...

... "Jason. P. Premo, Vice President Sales and Marketing of nMetric, LLC, has been invited to be a guest speaker at the annual National Manufacturing Week (NMW), during March 20-23, 2006 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont (Chicago O'Hare), IL. Premo will present two abstracts, Lean Sigma Blitz: Implement Continuous Improvement in Half the Time through Collaborative Manufacturing and How to Achieve Lean Scheduling and Kanban Workflow: 5 Secrets of World Class Manufacturing, as part of National Manufacturing Week’s Enterprise IT/ Supply Chain & Logistics track. The first session (ID# 2M33) is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, from 2:00 p.m. until 2:50 p.m. The second session (ID# 4E52) is scheduled for Thursday, March 23, from 11:00 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. " ...

Lean Sigma Blitz: Presentation at Manufacturing Conference: Via nMetric: NMETRIC PROVIDES THOUGHT LEADERSHIP FOR LEAN FACTORY SCHEDULING AND MANUFACTURING EXECUTION SYSTEMS (MES): Jason Premo, Vice President Sales & Marketing and Six Sigma Master Black Belt for nMetric, will present practical lean workflow methods and case studies at the annual National Manufacturing Week in Chicago during the week of March 20th ...

Six Sigma: United Airlines Transformation ...

United Airlines will implement Six Sigma to enable its transformation ...

... "United is introducing so-called lean-manufacturing techniques at its maintenance operations. It is introducing highly technical new quality measurements, called Six Sigma, to its cargo and call centers, and new work methods in its ramp and customer service operations. " ...

Six Sigma: United Airlines Transformation: Via Chicago Tribune: Tilton test: Turn survival into success

Boeing Lean: Supply Chain Integration ...

David Greising explores the success and challenges for Boeing as it embraces lean manufacturing principles which require tight integration in the supply chain. ...

... "Boeing executives are doing what the experts recommend: giving suppliers real-time access to its information systems so they can know when and where Boeing needs deliveries." ...

Via Chicago Tribune | BOEING'S BIG TEST: SUCCESS

Enterprise Lean Six Sigma ELSS

Deloitte contributes enterprise Lean Six Sigma, ELSS, services to the Save Your Factory initiative.

Enterprise Lean Six Sigma ELSS: Via FANUC Robotics: FANUC Robotics America, Inc. Forms New Relationship with Deloitte Consulting LLP to Help North American Companies Improve Factory Efficiency

... "We're enthusiastic that Deloitte Consulting has joined the Save Your Factory consortium as we help companies to more comprehensively evaluate the pros and cons of moving manufacturing off-shore and make a decision that's right for their organization, said Rick Schneider, president and CEO of FANUC Robotics America, Inc. Deloitte Consulting's extensive offerings include enterprise lean and six sigma (ELSS), which are process improvement and change management services that provide solutions to companies facing global competition. " ...

FANUC Robotics America, Inc. designs, engineers and manufactures industrial robots and robotic systems for a wide range of applications including arc and spot welding, material handling (machine tending, picking, packing, palletizing), material removal, assembly, paint finishing and dispensing. The company also provides application-specific software, controls, vision products, and complete aftermarket support. After 23 years of success, FANUC Robotics maintains its position as the leading robotics company in the Americas. A subsidiary of FANUC LTD in Japan, the company has facilities in Chicago; Los Angeles; Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati and Toledo, Ohio; Toronto; Montreal; Aguascalientes, Mexico; and Sao Paulo, Brazil. Over 145,000 FANUC robots are installed worldwide.

IDEX LeanSixSigma Savings Supports Margin Expansion

IDEX LeanSixSigma Savings Supports Margin Expansion: IDEX Reports Record Second Quarter Orders, Sales and Net Income; Double-Digit Organic Sales Growth Across All Business Segments; Third Consecutive Quarter of Double-Digit Base Sales Improvement ...

... "Second quarter 2005 gross margin of 41.1 percent of sales was 90 basis points higher than last year's second quarter and 70 basis points higher than the first quarter of 2005. This improvement reflects volume leverage and savings realized from the company's Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and global sourcing initiatives. " ...

IDEX Corporation is the world leader in fluid-handling technologies for positive displacement pumps and metering products, dispensing equipment for color formulation, and other highly engineered products including fire suppression equipment, rescue tools and engineered band clamping systems. Its products are sold in niche markets to a wide range of industries throughout the world. IDEX shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol IEX.

Kaizen Manufacturing Plant Productivity ...

Kaizen Manufacturing Plant Productivity: Chicago Tribune news : Business: Small town's plant back on the bubble, By Michael Oneal ...

... "Making full use of a Japanese manufacturing philosophy called Kaizen, management and labor worked together to make the plant more productive and profitable. " ...

Lean Manufacturing DemandPull Management ...

Lean Manufacturing DemandPull Management: Webinar Demonstration ...

Web seminar by Pelion on their demand management solution for supporting lean manufacturing techniques, such as demand-pull ...

... "Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) Demand Manager, Date: Thursday, July 14, 2005 from 1:00-2:00 pm EST, Speaker: Dave Gleditsch, Chief Technology Officer, Pelion Systems, Inc. ... Objective: Dave Gleditsch, will host a complimentary Webinar to demonstrate Demand Manager and highlight how it’s driving automated demand-pull manufacturing at a major Tier 1 automotive supplier and a major consumer appliances manufacturer. " ...

... Demand-Pull system capabilities are integral to optimization of the manufacturing process which leads to excellence in lean manufacturing.

Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Flow Manufacturing principles. With Pelion, leading manufacturers are able to liberate capital, grow profits and sustain breakthrough performance by optimizing operations and extend their supply network to include suppliers, customers and outsourced service providers in their business transformation. Pelion MPO integrates easily with existing ERP, MRP and APS systems and is able to scale from a single facility to an enterprise implementation. Based in Boulder, Colo., Pelion has sales and marketing offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin.

Six Sigma Career Path Growth: Intuit Executive Progresses ...

Former Intuit Operations Executive Joins Fathom Online

... "During his four years at Intuit, he initiated Intuit’s Six Sigma quality programs, generating millions of dollars in operational savings within a year and catalyzing a cultural shift toward a more analytic, data-driven and structured approach to problem solving. He also streamlined operations and drove key initiatives to improve the customer experience." ...

Founded in 2002, Fathom Online, based in San Francisco with offices in New York and Chicago, enables marketers to reach the millions of consumers who seek information online on more than 50 search engines, and to convert those inquiries into leads and/or sales. Performance and results are measured, ensuring accountability. Fathom addresses all aspects of an SEM campaign, not merely key word searches, thereby streamlining and improving the entire process.

Six Sigma Partnership Drives Culture Shift Transformation ...

Six Sigma Partnership Drives Culture Shift Transformation: Pelion Systems and the Lean Learning Center Partner to Help ...

Partners strive to transform the Lean Six Sigma culture within organizations ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Systems Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Flow ...

... Pelion Systems, the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) solutions, and the Lean Learning Center (Novi, Mich.), a leading provider of Lean curriculum and consulting to a variety of industries, today announced a partnership aimed at helping manufacturers successfully adopt, implement and sustain Lean manufacturing processes. Pelion Systems and the Lean Learning Center will develop combined solutions that address the cultural side of Lean manufacturing transformation while accelerating the adoption process through the utilization of specialized software products. ...

The Lean Learning Center was founded in early 2001 by manufacturing and consulting industry veterans Andy Carlino, Jamie Flinchbaugh and Dennis Pawley to address the gaps and barriers that are holding back companies from successful Lean transformation. In combination with corporate partner Achievement Dynamics, a provider of management consulting, the companies
provide a full complement of lean transformation services. Industries served include manufacturing, healthcare, public utilities, retail, aerospace, communications, technology, investment equity, service and more.

Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Flow manufacturing principles. With Pelion, leading manufacturers are able to liberate capital, grow profits and sustain breakthrough performance by optimizing operations and extending their supply network to include suppliers, customers and outsourced service providers in their business transformation. Pelion MPO integrates easily with existing ERP and MRP systems and is available in desktop, site and enterprise editions. Based in Lafayette, Colo., Pelion has sales and marketing offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin.

Supply Chain of the Future at Upcoming Manufacturing Conference ...

RFID Supply Chain of the Future: Provia's Chief Operations Officer Will Address How RFID Will Be a ...

RFID-enabled supply chain of the future will be discussed at upcoming manufacturing conference ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... of order-to-delivery supply chain execution software, announced that John Pulling, the company's COO, has been chosen to present two sessions on RFID for the ...

... Provia Software, a leading provider of order-to-delivery supply chain execution software, announced that John Pulling, the company's COO, has been chosen to present two sessions on RFID for the Enterprise IT track at the National Manufacturing Week Conference, taking place next week in Chicago. Pulling will address the pain points for manufacturers and suppliers that RFID will help to overcome. Pulling will be presenting a session on RFID and the Supply Chain on Monday, March 7 at 10:30 a.m. CST. In this presentation, he will address how supply chain tracking technology has evolved, taking a close look at why and how RFID has become a key factor in optimizing the supply chain of the future. ...

With over 500 global installations, Provia Software delivers The Power of Delivery(TM) for such customers as Menlo Worldwide, Spencer Gifts, VersaCold, Gillette, Total Logistic Control, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, and Lanier Worldwide. Provia's supply chain execution products include RFID-enabled warehousing, transportation, order and yard management products seamlessly integrated together with web-based visibility tools to create a real-time, end to end supply chain execution solution that creates a competitive advantage for clients and their customers.

Initiate Six Sigma Program ...

Initiate Six Sigma Program: CFC International, Inc. Reports Preliminary Fourth Quarter and ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... commitments and investments in 2005, as well as from the initiatives that we have already put into action including the initiating of a Six Sigma program at CFC ...

... Worldwide holographic and specialty coated film manufacturer, CFC International, Inc. (Nasdaq: CFCI) today reports preliminary net income for the year ended December 31, 2004, of approximately $3.5 million or $0.79 per diluted share. ...

Headquartered in Chicago Heights, Illinois, CFC International is a market leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of holographics and specialty functional coatings that add value to a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. The Company operates facilities in Chicago Heights and Countryside, Illinois; London, England; and Goppingen, Germany.

Additional resources on initiating a Six Sigma program ...

Deploying Six Sigma to Bolster Business Processes and the Bottom: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... be viewed as a quality program that is ... their previous experience with quality programs, organizations often ... they are going to initiate Six Sigma by conducting ...

Six Sigma for Small and Medium Companies: corporations in implementing their Six Sigma programs; ... implementing and monitoring the Six Sigma program. ... management not only initiate Six Sigma deployment, but ...

Starting a Six Sigma Initiative: Full deployment is often suggested as the best way to initiate Six Sigma; however, it ... initial implementation of Six Sigma through a pilot program has advantages ...

Six Sigma Marketing Success ...

Six Sigma Marketing Success: Senior Marketing Executives to Meet in New York in April and ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... "Adapting Six Sigma to Drive Measurable Marketing Success" will be explored by Scott Fuson, Chief Marketing Officer, Dow Corning (Chicago only). ...

... Senior executives from leading companies will examine strategies to measure marketing's impact on the bottom line at The Conference Board's 2005 Senior Marketing Executive Roundtable. The meeting will be held April 5-6 at the InterContinental The Barclay, New York, and May 3-4 at The Drake Hotel in Chicago. ...

Supply-Side Lean Manufacturing Techniques by Ford ...

Chicago Tribune | U.S. auto industry takes a stand: James P. Miller, Chicago Tribune reports that Ford Motor implemented a $400 million lean manufacturing tranformation of a flexible production plant with an inbound supplier facility. This cluster configuration for suppliers drives versatility and lowers cost, such as operational logistics and transportation.

Six Sigma in Workplace Safety ...

Six Sigma Workplace Safety: WorkWell President & CEO George Carpenter to Address Workplace ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Great companies like GE, Alcoa, and Dupont see injury as a preventable quality problem, and apply many of the same Six Sigma quality techniques and worksite ...

... George Carpenter, president and CEO of WorkWell Systems, will present "Workplace Trends in the Fortune 500: Employers Confront the 'Hidden Factory,'" highlighting the looming "capacity crisis" in the American workforce. Aging and retiring workers will create an unprecedented labor shortage by 2010 in skilled occupations, and the declining physical capacity of workers due to obesity and age-related chronic impairments will compound this shortage ...

... at the "Annual Pharmacoeconomic Conference: Economics and Outcomes of Chronic Conditions," Jan. 26 in Tucson, Ariz., sponsored by the Center for Health Outcomes and PharmacoEconomic Research and the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy. ...

WorkWell Systems is a rapidly growing physical medicine and workers' compensation solutions company, defining workers' compensation process improvement in the Fortune 500. Using Six Sigma methodologies pioneered by the world's best-run companies, WorkWell programs dramatically reduce employee injuries and make clients more competitive. Winner of the 2004 Innovation in Healthcare Award, the company has developed proprietary Web-based clinical tools, process improvement methodologies, and the nation's largest network of independent physical medicine providers. WorkWell provides employers with an integrated approach to pre-work physical screening, workers' comp program management and return-to-work plans. Clients include Fortune 500 organizations across a variety of industries including transportation, manufacturing and healthcare. The company is based in Aliso Viejo, with regional offices located in Chicago and Duluth, Minn.

Lean Manufacturing Drives Facility Rationalization ...

Lean Manufacturing Drives Facility Rationalization: Columbus McKinnon Announces Sale of Chicago Area Property

From PR Newswire (press release) ... The building was available for sale as a result of the facility rationalization and lean manufacturing efforts of Columbus McKinnon. ...

... Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO), a leading designer and manufacturer of material handling products, today reported that it had completed the sale of a 4.6 acre property that included a 116,000 square foot building in the Greater Chicago area for $3.675 million on January 13, 2005. The favorable effect to net income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 ending on March 31, 2005 will be $2.65 million, or approximately $0.18 per diluted share. The building was available for sale as a result of the facility rationalization and lean manufacturing efforts of Columbus McKinnon. ...

Columbus McKinnon is a leading worldwide designer and manufacturer of material handling products, systems and services, which efficiently and ergonomically move, lift, position or secure material. Key products include hoists, cranes, chain and forged attachments. The Company is focused on commercial and industrial applications that require the safety and quality provided by its superior design and engineering know-how.

Additional resources where lean manufacturing drives facility rationalization or footprint reduction ...

Strategy Services: Operational Excellence: Facility locating, rationalization, consolidation, expansion; Network footprint
modeling; Asset productivity; Value based cost reduction. ...

STRATEGIC PLAN: is our most important facilities rationalization initiative ... initiatives to reduce our footprint and reduce ... square foot benchmarks for facility construction and ...

Latest Supervisory and Control System for Advanced: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Hitachi has proposed a wide variety of facility rationalization measures using the cutting-edge integrated autonomic control system. ...

Transforming Nortel’s Logistics Practices: outsourcing, the traditional manufacturer/customer relationship ... to relocate its manufacturing plant to another ... Footprint reduction The third phase involved ...

Webinar on Six Sigma Manufacturing Process Optimization MPO Services ...

Six Sigma Manufacturing Process Optimization MPO Services: Pelion Systems to Host Webinar on Aberdeen's New Manufacturing ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Systems Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Flow ...

... Pelion Systems, the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) solutions, today announced it will host a Webinar presenting Aberdeen Group's latest research report: The Manufacturing Performance Management Strategies Benchmark Report. Chris Jones, Aberdeen's senior vice president of value chain research, and Richard Sherman, Pelion's senior vice president of marketing will co-present key findings from the study on Wed., Jan. 12, 2005 at 12:30 p.m. EST. ...

Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Flow manufacturing principles. With Pelion, leading manufacturers are able to liberate capital, grow profits and sustain breakthrough performance by optimizing operations and extending their supply network to include suppliers, customers and outsourced service providers in their business transformation. Pelion MPO integrates easily with existing ERP and MRP systems to optimize operations and implements without operational disruption. Based in Lafayette, Colo., Pelion has sales and marketing offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin.

Additional resource on six sigma and manufacturing process optimization MPO ...

Manufacturing Process Optimization Studies Employing Taguchi: PROCESS OPTIMIZATION STUDIES. Lambda Research offers manufacturing process optimization studies employing Taguchi experimental designs. ...

Building Process Optimization with Supply Chain Management in the: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... Production process optimization with whole house redesign that is supported by efficient supply chain management system will contribute to improve the overall ...

Manufacturing and Process Optimization: Research in manufacturing and process optimization is focused on two areas: Chemical process optimization (Bill Morton) The aim of this work is to develop ...

The Healthcare Balanced Scorecard ...

The Healthcare Balanced Scorecard: Edward Hospital & Health Services Standardizes on Business Objects ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Another project improved Edward's Balanced Scorecard to include a database with a Business Objects report, delivering the metrics in an electronic format. ...

... Business Objects (Nasdaq:BOBJ)(Euronext Paris ISIN code: FR0004026250-BOB), the world's leading provider of business intelligence (BI) solutions, today announced that Edward Hospital & Health Services has selected Business Objects as its enterprise business intelligence standard. Edward, an innovative healthcare provider recently named one of the nation's "Most Wired" by the journal of the American Hospital Association, selected Business Objects solutions over Cognos ReportNet, citing faster report development, more flexible drill-down capabilities, and ease of use as the main factors in its decision. Edward uses Business Objects solutions to analyze financial, human resources, and patient data in order to track, understand, and manage enterprise performance. ...

Edward Hospital & Health Services is a full service, regional healthcare provider with more than 3,900 employees serving residents of the western suburbs of Chicago including Naperville, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Lisle, Woodridge, Aurora/Fox Valley, Romeoville and Warrenville. Edward has earned a reputation as a leader in complex medical specialties and innovative programming including revolutionary imaging technology; care for the most critically ill newborns, minimally invasive surgery, the latest mind and body classes, beating heart surgery, in vitro fertilization, and access to the latest clinical trials for cancer and heart disease. Caring for patients at Edward are more than 800 physicians, which include independent members of the medical staff, employed physicians and independent contractors.

Business Objects is the world's leading business intelligence (BI) software company. Business intelligence enables organizations to track, understand, and manage enterprise performance. The company's solutions leverage the information that is stored in an array of corporate databases, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Popular uses of BI include enterprise reporting, management dashboards and scorecards, customer intelligence applications, financial reporting, and both customer and partner extranets. These solutions enable companies to gain visibility into their business, acquire and retain profitable customers, reduce costs, optimize the supply chain, increase productivity, and improve financial performance. In December 2003, Business Objects completed the acquisition of Crystal Decisions, the leader in enterprise reporting. The combined product line includes software for reporting, query and analysis, performance management, analytic applications, and data integration. In addition, Business Objects offers consulting and education services to help customers effectively deploy their business intelligence projects. Business Objects has more than 29,000 customers in over 80 countries. The company's stock is traded under the ticker symbols NASDAQ:BOBJ and Euronext Paris (ISIN:FR0004026250-BOB). It is included in the SBF 120 and IT CAC 50 French stock market indexes.

Additional resources available on the Healthcare Balanced Scorecard ...

Implementing the Balanced Scorecard in Healthcare and Life: Implementing the Balanced Scorecard in Healthcare and Life Sciences (audio). Presented By: Dr. Herbert W. Zagarow, Institute for Learning. ...

Balanced Scorecard: Merging Six Sigma and the Balanced Scorecard The challenges confronting healthcare are complex, and no overnight solution will make the problems disappear. ...

Japan Association for Healthcare Balanced Scorecard Studies: ID of Society A02036 date 2004-11-11 Find out more about the Japan Association for Healthcare Balanced Scorecard Studies. Since 2003 Members, 400. Telephone, ...

THE USE OF BALANCED SCORECARD IN CANADIAN HOSPITALS ABSTRACT: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... included in the final section. Balanced Scorecard and Healthcare Balanced scorecard is a strategic measurement and management system. It translates an ...

Healthcare Commission: Some key targets and balanced scorecard indicators may only be appropriate for ... The Healthcare Commission is working on the development of suitable indicators ...

The Balanced Scorecard: An Integrative Approach to Performance: By becoming proficient in the balanced-scorecard approach, healthcare organizations can readily assess their vision and strategy by measuring performance ...

Six Sigma Career Path at Oce NA: William Pugh ...

Six Sigma Career Path at Oce NA: Bill Pugh Named VP, Operations for Oce North America

From PR Newswire (press release) ... Electric, he was responsible for the worldwide management of inventory and subsequently earned his Master Black Belt in General Electric's Six Sigma Initiative ...

... Oce (Nasdaq: OCENY), a global leader in digital document management and delivery solutions, today announced the appointment of William R. Pugh to the new position of Vice President, Operations. The Operations department is comprised of the Order and Billing Assurance, Inventory Management, Logistics & Delivery, and Purchasing functions for Oce North America. Mr. Pugh joined Oce in September 2003 as the Leader, Change Management for Oce's program implementation at The Boeing Company. In that capacity, he worked to implement the best practices of Oce Business Services within the environment and culture of this important new Oce client. ...

Oce is a leading provider of digital document management technology and services. The company's solutions are based on Oce's advanced software applications that deliver documents and data over internal networks and the Internet to printing devices and archives -- locally and around the world. Supporting the workflow solutions are Oce digital printers and scanners, considered the most reliable and productive in the world. Oce also offers a wide range of display graphics, consulting and outsourcing solutions. Netherlands-based Oce N.V. (Nasdaq: OCENY), with a workforce of more than 22,000 people and 2003 revenues of $3.0 billion, maintains research and manufacturing centers in the Netherlands, the United States, Germany, France, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Japan. Oce's North American headquarters is located in Chicago with major business units in Chicago; New York City; Boca Raton, FL; Vancouver, BC; Salt Lake City; and Coventry, RI. North American revenues were $1.2 billion for fiscal 2003, and employment is currently 9,100.

Lean Six Sigma: GBUCS Announces RONAStar® Channel Partner Program

Lean Six Sigma: GBUCS Announces RONAStar® Channel Partner Program

From PR Web (press release), WA ... greater working capital efficiency, compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley mandates for greater asset visibility, and pressures to implement six-sigma lean management ...

... GBUCS, LLC, a Chicago-based software company specializing in web-based asset management and reallocation solutions, today announced the introduction of a comprehensive channel partner program for its flagship RONAStar software platform. The launch of this partner program signals RONAStar’s formal entry into the commercial marketplace. A select set of leading channel partners will provide access to customers and the professional services required to successfully establish RONAStar as the solution of choice in the asset management and reallocation category. ...

GBUCS is a leader in developing and marketing innovative web-based applications for managing and driving greater value from organizational assets – including materials, equipment and people.

Six Sigma Career Path: Marlin Business Services Corp. Announces New Additions to its ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Rob Herb is the new Director of Marketing. Rob has over 10 years of experience in sales and marketing and is a Six Sigma certified Green Belt. ...

... Marlin Business Services Corp. (NASDAQ:MRLN), a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions, announces the appointments of new members to its management team made over the past few months. ...

Marlin Business Services Corp. is a nationwide provider of equipment leasing solutions primarily to small businesses. The company's principal operating subsidiary, Marlin Leasing Corporation, finances over 60 equipment categories in a segment of the market generally referred to as "small-ticket" leasing (i.e. transactions less than $250,000). The company was founded in 1997 and completed its initial public offering of common stock November 12, 2003. In addition to Mount Laurel, NJ, Marlin also has regional offices in or near Atlanta, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia.

Lean Manufacturing Could Improve Performance at Nine More Sites ...

From ITP: Fourth Round of Plant-Wide Assessments ...

... "Ford Motor Company, Cleveland, Ohio, will address the production process and will apply the principles of lean manufacturing to identify energy and cost reductions in the manufacturing operation. Formosa Plastics, Port Comfort, Texas, and its partners will conduct a plant-wide study to develop and implement methods and strategies that address energy efficiency, waste reduction, productivity, and global competitiveness. Georgia Pacific, Crossett, Arkansas, developed a plan to evaluate the plant as an integrated entity to achieve system-wide gains. The plant will use computer-modeling tools to verify mill data and perform system-wide optimization. Jernberg Industries, Chicago, Illinois, will apply lean manufacturing principles and identify waste stream and productivity opportunities that can save energy. North Star Steel, Wilton, Iowa, will focus on energy, waste, and productivity and will initiate a total assessment audit to identify opportunities in the manufacturing systems facility." ...

Six Sigma Certification: SPSS Helps Students Achieve Perfection by Providing Key ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... The Boulder, Colo.-based university joins a handful of schools in offering Six Sigma Black Belt certification, the disciplined, data-driven approach for ...

... SPSS Inc. (NASDAQ:SPSS) announced today that its statistics software will help students at a new course at the University of Colorado achieve perfection--near perfection, that is. The Boulder, Colo.-based university joins a handful of schools in offering Six Sigma Black Belt certification, the disciplined, data-driven approach for solving problems in any business process whose followers aim to achieve near perfection: fewer than 3.4 defects per million. ...

SPSS Inc. (NASDAQ:SPSS) is the world's leading provider of predictive analytics technology and services. The company's predictive analytics technology connects data to effective action by drawing reliable conclusions about current conditions and future events. More than 250,000 commercial, academic and public sector customers rely on SPSS technology to help increase revenue, reduce cost, improve processes, and detect and prevent fraud. Founded in 1968, SPSS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.

As a cooperative venture between the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the Division of Continuing Education, the Center for Advanced Engineering and Technology Education (CAETE) is comprised of several programs offering certificates, degrees, and corporate training through various delivery methods. Their website can be found at http://caete.colorado.edu/. The University of Colorado is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The College of Engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Oversight of all credit bearing courses offered through CAETE and faculty fall under the purview of the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Administration, staffing, and finance fall under the purview of the Division of Continuing Education.

Lean Manufacturing Software: Pelion Systems Launches Industry's First Software Platform to ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... first software platform for managing the entire transformation lifecycle to demand-driven manufacturing processes, including Lean, Six Sigma and Demand Flow(TM ...

Lean Manufacturing software drives process optimization on the factory floor ...

... Pelion Systems, the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) solutions, today announced the availability of Pelion MPO, the industry's first software platform for managing the entire transformation lifecycle to demand-driven manufacturing processes, including Lean, Six Sigma and Demand Flow(TM). The software suite complements existing ERP/MRP and APS systems and helps manufacturers visualize, define, design, implement and sustain best practices. Using Pelion MPO, manufacturers can empower and sustain programs to liberate operating capital, optimize shop-floor execution and performance, enable rapid response to actual and dynamic customer demand, and increase revenue performance. ...

Pelion Systems is the market leader in Manufacturing Process Optimization (MPO) software products and services based on Lean, Six Sigma, and Demand Flow(TM) principles. With Pelion, leading manufacturers are able to liberate capital, grow profits and sustain breakthrough performance by optimizing operations and extending their supply network to include suppliers, customers and outsourced service providers in their business transformation. Pelion MPO integrates easily with existing ERP and MRP systems and is available in desktop, site and enterprise editions. Based in Lafayette, Colo., Pelion has sales and marketing offices in Chicago, Detroit and Austin.

HR Balanced Scorecard: PeopleSoft, Oracle, Accenture, and Convergys Among Vendors ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... TalentMax Version 2.0, an enterprise wide performance management system that can be deployed on either .NET or J2EE to offer a balanced scorecard of metrics ...

Balanced scorecards in human resources can measure the pulse and productivity of the enterprise workforce...

... The premier destination for HR decision-makers, Human Resource Executive's 7th Annual HR Technology Conference & Exposition will once again feature the largest number of new product announcements made at any similar event in the world. This year, 25 of the show's exhibitors are planning significant product announcements about the most cutting edge technologies. The conference and exposition will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 13 - 15, 2004. ...

Hudson Highland Group will unveil TalentMax Version 2.0, an enterprise wide performance management system that can be deployed on either .NET or J2EE to offer a balanced scorecard of metrics that forms an objective view of your organization's performance. Hudson Highland Group is one of the world’s leading professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solution providers. Hudson delivers specialized professional staffing, outsourcing and human capital solutions worldwide. From single placements to total solutions, the firm assesses, recruits and develops talent to meet the specific business needs of each client. Global practice areas include Accounting & Finance; Engineering, Operations & Scientific; Healthcare; Human Resources; IT & Telecommunications; Legal; and Sales & Marketing. Hudson is a division of Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: HHGP) one of the world's leading professional staffing, retained executive search and human capital solution providers. More information is available at http://www.hudson.com.

Predictive Maintenance: Portec Rail Products, Inc. Completes the Acquisition of Salient ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... hardware and sophisticated data management software systems, marketed under the "IntelliTrack®" brand, enable railways to do predictive maintenance, which can ...

... Portec Rail Products, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRPX - News) announced today that it has completed the merger whereby Portec Rail acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Salient Systems, Inc. for a combination of Portec Rail stock and cash. Each Salient Systems, Inc.'s common stock shareholder will receive approximately 0.24 shares of Portec Rail Products, Inc. common stock and approximately $1.45 in cash for each of their shares of Salient common stock. The combined merger consideration payout to Salient System Inc.'s common shareholders is approximately $12.8 million. This strategic combination significantly expands Portec Rail's services portfolio and strengthens its global footprint in the growing market for Friction Management, Wayside Detection and Operating Asset Data Management, thus creating a leading global entity to provide essential products and services to the railway industry. ...

Equipment and asset maintenance is enabled by advanced techniques, such as predictive maintenance. Predictive maintenance eliminates unexpected breakdowns through early detection of developing problems. Predictive maintenance results in improved productivity and high operating asset utilization rates. A best practice predictive maintenance program relies on real-time data and advanced analytics. Use of computerized equipment drives the detection of potential problems long before the defect develops into equipment degradation. The analysis and interpretation of operating data is key to determining what kind of maintenace and when that maintenance should be applied. Today's predictive maintenance techniques leverage the best practices of the lean manufacturing methodology.

Portec Rail Products, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, manufactures, supplies and distributes a broad range of railroad products, including rail joints, rail anchors and spikes, railway friction management products and load securement systems. The Company's largest business unit, the Railway Maintenance Products Division, operates a manufacturing and assembly plant in Huntington, West Virginia, and is also headquartered in Pittsburgh. The Company has a Canadian subsidiary headquartered near Montreal with a manufacturing operation in St. Jean, Quebec. The Company sells load securement systems to the railroad freight car market through its Shipping Systems Division located near Chicago, Illinois. The Company also manufactures railway products and material handling equipment at its wholly- owned subsidiary in the United Kingdom with operations in Wrexham, Wales and Leicester, England.

Supply Chain Optimization: RedPrairie, RF Code and Avery Dennison Partner on Active RFID ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... RedPrairie is a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that enable the transformation and optimization of supply chain networks, driving out costs ...

... RedPrairie Corporation, a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that drive business process transformation, announced today at the Frontline Solutions conference in Chicago the integration of their LENS(R) global visibility solution with active RFID technology from RF Code and Avery Dennison. The agreement will allow RedPrairie to provide a total solution for global asset and inventory visibility and security, integrating its industry leading software and optimization tools with active RFID reader technology from RF Code and the active RFID Secure Strap(TM) from Avery Dennison for container security. ...

Drive your enterprise transformation through the implementation of supply chain optimization software. There are mature solutions in supply chain optimization technologies, such as Red Prairie's offerings.

RedPrairie is a global leader in supply chain technology solutions that enable the transformation and optimization of supply chain networks, driving out costs, improving customer service and creating competitive advantage. RedPrairie's supply chain execution solutions provide the industry's leading transportation, productivity, and distribution management capabilities, fully integrated with process management components for real-time visibility and event management, trading partner integration, quality control and performance measurement. Coupled with RedPrairie's tactical planning and inventory optimization solutions, RedPrairie provides a true single source platform for supply chain management. RedPrairie provides industry-tailored solutions for many markets, including consumer goods, direct to consumer and traditional retail, food and beverage, high tech / electronics, third party logistics, industrial / wholesale, automotive and service parts, and pharmaceuticals. Customers include Hewlett-Packard, Sony, Thames Water, Procter & Gamble, Nestle, Panasonic, Georgia-Pacific, Eveready, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Unilever, Exel, GE, TNT Logistics, and many others. With offices across the globe, RedPrairie is a true world-wide solution provider.