Bostock Lean Manufacturing Journey

Small and medium sized businesses, like Snapcab by Bostock, benefit from lean in their high growth phases. ...

... "Bostock said he’s been able to increase profits by implementing lean manufacturing. As the company grew he brought more hands on deck to manage day-to-day operations. " ...

Via Philadelphia Business Journal: SnapCab

Factory Growth

Manufacturing data continues its improvement ...

... "The Commerce Department said orders for manufactured goods increased 0.6 percent after an upwardly revised 2.5 percent jump in January, initially reported as a 1.7 percent advance. " ...

Via Reuters: US factory orders rise

Lean Initiatives Toyota Impact

The current Toyota quality debacle should cause pause, when pitching new lean initiatives to executives. However, be prepared to discuss Toyota's deviation from the methods and principles in the context of global growth and scale. ...

... "the company has fallen below its traditional high standards, rather than tarnishing the validity of Lean principles and practices. Lean is now bigger than Toyota and one of the most influential process inventions of the last half-century ... " ...

Via Ovum: http://bit.ly/aENB6J

Complaint Business Process Requires Listening Skills

Follow these steps to making the customer complaints process more efficient and effective. Enhance this customer experience to retain and grow your base of revenue. ...

... "Even if you know the resolution immediately, let the customer finish before you say anything. " ...

Via BusinessBrief: Turn complaints into opportunities

ISM on Sustained Manufacturing Growth

Advanced Energy Manufacturing

Factory Activity Improvement

October factory activity shows growth. ...

... "Orders placed with U.S. factories rose in October for the sixth time in the past seven months, propelled by gains in non-durable goods that overshadowed declines in spending on new equipment. " ...

Via Bloomberg: Factories

Manufacturing Expansion Trend

New York economic metrics show positive trends in manufacturing growth, driven by exports and demand-supply adjustments. ...

... "Exports that have increased five straight months, a weaker dollar and lean inventories have combined to keep factories busy. " ...

Via Bloomberg: New York Manufacturing Expands

Manufacturing Execution Software Enables Rapid Process Improvement Environment

Q-Cells selects Camstar’s SolarSuite, tailored to the needs of solar industry manufacturers, which will supports the company's drive to lower its cost per watt through better process quality and manufacturing cell efficiency. ...

... "Q-Cells will deploy the solution in two new production lines in Bitterfeld-Thalheim, Germany, and in its new factory in Malaysia where production will exceed 300MW (peak) by the end of 2010. In addition, in Q-Cells’ environment of rapid process improvement and frequent tool upgrades, the unique flexibility of Camstar’s platform enables rapid adaptation, global control and change enforcement – all critical to support Q-Cells’ growth and quality goals. " ...

Via Camstar: Q-Cells Malaysia Factory and German Production



Q-Cells CIGS Quality (PDF).

Solar industry customers are focusing on product quality according to Q-Cells Q1, 2009 Report (PDF): "In light of the current oversupply, we can also confirm the increased importance of product quality in comparison to the past – when installation technicians and product developers, partially out of sheer desperation, bought everything offered to them on the module market. "

Solar cell production ...

China Lean Sigma Level Challenge

Targeting the China growth market is a good strategy. Manufacturing in China brings challenges that include high defect rates, low quality control, and barriers to lean adoption. ...

... "For every million parts produced in Chinese plants, the median rejection rate is 50,000, compared to U.S. plants' media rate of 100 parts per million produced. Plus, poorly educated Chinese workers makes it difficult for companies to successfully implement lean initiatives. " ...

Via Jacksonville Business Journal: China Manufacturing

Kaizen Service Model Empowers Workforce to Build Zippy Processes

Zipcar CEO Scott Griffith discusses his company's growth strategies and outlook for scaling the business. Zipcar has creatively integrated lean manufacturing techniques into its service business model, empowering its workforce to manage kaizen events and embrace continuous improvement in its business processes, especially the processes with customer touch points. ...

... "We’re one of the first companies to use that in a service model. We’ve now got kaizen-trained employees in many parts of the company who are managing everything from how we manage parking tickets to how do we handle accident claims. " ...

Via Mass High Tech: Zipcar CEO Perspectives

Ford India Lean Manufacturing Techniques

Ford transforms its India operations in preparation for production of a new car. The plant has been retrofit and will leverage lean techniques for success. ...

... "The transformed Maraimalai Nagar Ford plant is built around an array of new lean manufacturing techniques to make it ultra-efficient and its products cost-competitive even in the hotly contested sub-B segment in India and other growth markets. " ...

Via Paddock Talk: Ford Investment In India

Toyota Growth Over Quality

Toyota is shaking up its leadership ranks as it prepares to retool the company during the challenges of this business cycle. ...

... "But he said the company, famous for caution and self-reflection, strayed when growth, not quality, became its main concern. " ...

Via New York Times: Toyota Restructures

Growing with Lean

Daktronics experiences organic growth while integrating lean manufacturing in order to navigate the business cycle. The company prides itself on well-designed work cells and an organized factory layout. ...

... "The company, which has been in a continual growth mode since its infancy, has reduced staffing at its manufacturing plants in Brookings, Sioux Falls and Redwood Falls, MN, through attrition, by hiring less part-time college students and focusing more on lean manufacturing. " ...

Via Prairie Business: Daktronics

China Six Sigma Process Management

China cosmetics business uses Six Sigma in its processes to drive customer quality and satisfaction. This relentless focus on the customer has enabled powerful growth rates. ...

... "And his Six Sigma process management has leveraged the group to double its turnover every two years in Hong Kong and rake in an impressive year-on-year 41 percent growth in revenue in 2008. " ...

Via China Daily: Chinese mainland

Standex Lean Manufacturing Initiatives Increase Operating Income

Standex reports excellent financial results buoyed by its efficiency programs. ...

... "We also continued to see steady top-line growth from our recently created Mold Tech texturizing operations in Turkey, Eastern Europe and China. The lean manufacturing initiatives we implemented in the past year, cost reductions and higher sales volume enabled us to generate a threefold increase in operating income in the quarter. " ...

Via Standex: Fourth-Quarter and Year-End Fiscal 2008 Financial Results

Manufacturing Exports Grow in June

Lean Manufacturing Enables Xerium Growth Program

Global manufacturing company, Xerium Tech, supports the paper production industry with products and reports its financial results. It is executing a turnaround plan that includes lean manufacturing to lay the operational efficiency foundation for its strategic growth plan. ...

... "These growth program costs for the year ended December 31, 2007 include expenses incurred for our lean manufacturing initiatives, expansion into Vietnam and other growth programs. " ...

Via Xerium Technologies: Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2007 Results

Chief Innovation Officer Training

Upcoming event in February 2008 focuses on leading growth through innovation. ...

... "The course, entitled Chief Innovation Officer – Leading your Company's Growth and Performance Initiatives, is a two day Executive Education Program for business leaders who are leading the charge for growth and innovation inside their organizations or who are poised to take on that role. The event is being held in Denver February 25 – 26, 2008. " ...

Via Breakthrough Management Group: Chief Innovation Officer Executive Seminar

Six Sigma Achievement in Process Efficiency is Awarded

ATMI is recognized for its use of Six Sigma to drive growth at the company in its product lifecycle. A number of Six Sigma projects have been deliver with operational efficiency benefits realized. The company was recognized at the Global Six Sigma Awards 2007. ...

... "We are very happy to have our innovative approach to Six Sigma deployment independently validated, as it is a key contributor to continued growth, said Doug Neugold, Chief Executive Officer. This award is based upon our documenting how the tools and methodologies were used to design, develop, and commercialize our RegenSi(tm), AutoClean(tm), and Newmix(r) process efficiency solutions, each of which has the potential to save our customers many millions of dollars by bringing yield, cost, and throughput improvements to their processes, said Tim Carlson, Chief Financial Officer. Since inception, we've completed over 80 internal projects generating more than $20 million of savings for ATMI. " ...

Via ATMI: Best Achievement in Six Sigma

Six Sigma Quality Improvement Spurs Growth

Workforce involvement in quality initiatives drives company growth. The free flow of communications keeps the improvement ideas fresh, exciting, and meaningful to the current business dynamics. ...

... "Taylor, now president and CEO, mandates that each of his 160 employees participates in quality systems, sounding-board meetings and the continuous improvement of the company. This team-based initiative has led to revenue growth of 10 percent in each of the past five years. " ...

Via Smart Business: Wright Tool Co.

Innovative Thinking Integrated With Culture

Innovation is needed to differentiate corporate and product performance in the global economy. Lean principles can be extended to the growth agenda to support building an innovative culture and workforce. ...

... "What is really needed today is what I call systematic and lean innovation. That is, you have to make innovative thinking part of the entire corporate culture. " ...

Via Oakland Business Review on MLive: Lean Innovation Summit

Six Sigma Growth Checklist

Checklist for growing your business includes Six Sigma checklist. ...

... "Entrepreneur suggests that you rate yourself with this checklist based on questions developed by General Electric's Six Sigma black belts. " ...

Via Gazette: Business growth

Leverage Information Technology in the Lean Manufacturing Environment

Information technology has role in the lean manufacturing enterprise of the future. ...

... "New competitive threats have emerged in Asia, and ahead-of-the curve manufacturers are leveraging IT not only to help establish partnerships in places like China, but to extract more out of their lean-manufacturing strategies, optimize business processes, enable growth, and learn more about their customers. " ...

Via Wisconsin Technology: Manufacturing IT

Business Process Improvement through Six Sigma

CEO charts strategy to improve profitability and drive growth, targeting the use of Six Sigma to create disciplined business processes. ...

... "Improve the logistics of the Company's tissue supply operations in Detroit, USA. Our US operation has seen significant revenue growth from 2005 to 2006. In order to position the Company for future growth, action will be taken to standardise and systemise our key processes and biobank operations, via a six sigma review. " ...

Via Asterand: Strategy Announcement

3M Six Sigma Culture: Risk Averse ?

3M adds manufacturing capacity to drive growth. Six Sigma focus may have clouded its judgement with regards to investing for growth. ...

... "In the past, a 3M culture that viewed new investment with circumspection and an over-reliance on the Six Sigma management technique made it shy of building some needed capacity, Buckley said. " ....

Via MarketWatch: 3M

Six Sigma Expertise Improves Acquisition Synergy

Chemtura completes acquisition of Kaufman Holdings Corporation. CEO expects synergies from products, processes, and systems. Chemtura uses Six Sigma to improve manufacturing processes and also to improve finance, accounting, marketing, procurement and other business processes. More than 1000 Chemtura employees are trained in Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing techniques. ...

... "Chemtura Chairman and CEO Robert L. Wood: Our existing Petroleum Additives / Lubricants business is core to our growth, and Hatco and Anderol fit in well with this business. There are related product offerings in key customer areas, as well as the opportunity to strengthen alliances with major suppliers. There may be distribution synergies as well, benefiting our global customers, he said. Chemtura will add industry expertise, Six Sigma-based products and processes, and new information technology systems that will benefit Kaufman customers. " ...

Via Chemtura: Chemtura Completes Acquisition of Kaufman Holdings Corporation

SixSigma Manufacturing Supports Company Growth Plan

Boston-Power completes funding to fuel its growth through next-generation, lithium-ion notebook computer batteries. The company has demonstrated Six Sigma performance at its China manufacturing site. ...

... "Boston-Power is led by Founder and CEO Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud, a recognized strategist, technology advisor and authority in the global battery industry. Lampe-Onnerud has assembled a world-class team with more than 100 years of combined experience in lithium-ion technology and manufacturing, consumer electronics sales and intellectual property patent law. Headquartered in Westborough, Mass., the company has Six Sigma-level manufacturing operations in Shenzhen, China. " ...

Via Boston-Power: Boston-Power fuels expansion with $15.6 million in series B financing

Six Sigma: Ram Charan on Balance with Growth

Ram Charan shares his views on management and leadership. He views Six Sigma as too internally focused and recommends a balanced approach with growth initiatives. ...

... "It's probably also true to say that Six Sigma has most often been applied to improve internal processes, by reducing costs and improving productivity. This is important work, of course, but you need to balance that by not forgetting initiatives that increase revenue. " ...

Via CEO Forum Group: Read

DCS Distributed Control System Implementation: Six Sigma Context

ARC sees good growth in the distributed control systems (DCS) market and expects some shifts in the marketplace causing migration of control systems. Any migration of technology should be achieved in the context of a disciplined improvement process, such as Six Sigma. ...

... "ARC advocates that end users must take the same approach to control system migration that they would to overall control system selection, all in the context of a six-sigma style continuous improvement process. " ...

Via Processing Talk: DCS Market Growth

Six Sigma Marketing ROI

Marketing is key to a successful business strategy that is focused on growth. A disciplined process is necessary for implementing marketing strategies that transform the business' commercial success. ...

... "In fact, the ROI process at Dow Corning actually emerged from its Voice of the Customer (Six Sigma) efforts." ...

Via MarketingProfs: Marketing ROI in 2007 ...

Lilly Six Sigma: Biotechnology Research and Development Prodcutivity

Lilly invests in research and development productivity in biotechnology to replenish its product pipeline and position the company for accelerated growth and profitability. Six Sigma techniques such as QFD, Voice of the Customer support the front-end of pharmaceutical innovation. Design for Six Sigma, Design of Experiments, DOE, enables research and development. Biotech products already comprise a third of Lilly's product pipeline and target a number of diseases, such as Alzheimers, diabetes, inflammation, and kidney disease. Lilly is striving to commericalize one major biotechnology molecule per year. ...

... "Paul summarized Lilly's R&D productivity efforts by stating, We are pursuing three broad strategic approaches to improving R&D productivity, with the goals of increasing the number of compounds in our pipeline while driving down the costs per new molecular entity by about one-third, from $1.2 billion to $800 million. These productivity strategies include fully leveraging our biotech capabilities, accessing more flexible and cost effective R&D capacity globally and aggressively pursuing Six Sigma throughout Lilly Research Labs. " ...

Via Lilly: Lilly Delivers Promising Update to Wall Street on Strategic Priorities, Pipeline Progress and Earnings Guidance

Balanced Scorecard Decision Support

Financial company deploys BI software to enable decision support through a balanced scorecard. ...

... "Pentaho Corp., creator of the world's most popular open source business intelligence (BI) suite, announced that Italian commercial finance firm Unionfidi S.C. has deployed Pentaho’s Open BI Suite to deliver a balanced scorecard, reporting, and analysis application that provides vital information and decision support to multiple departments. This application, built with the Pentaho Open BI Suite and called UFIntelligence, is deployed to Unionfidi S.C. employees in risk management, accounting, human resources, marketing, and other departments: said Davide De Ruvo, CIO at Unionfidi S.C.. The centerpiece of this application is a balanced scorecard that provides key metrics from multiple business perspectives including financial, customer, business process, and learning and growth. Our users also have access to supporting reports and analytical views linked to the scorecard, and receive standard reports relevant to their roles via e-mail. Users in the Loans Department, for example, receive frequent, timely reports on customer loan deadlines. " ...

Via Pentaho: Italian Financial Firm Unionfidi S.C. Deploys Pentaho for Enterprise Business Intelligence ...

Kahiki Lean Operations Drives Fundamentals

Company focuses on the fundamentals of operational improvement to drive profitability and growth. ...

... "Alan Hoover, President and CEO commented: These results clearly demonstrate that we are starting to realize the operational improvements that we have undertaken over the past year, including moving to a new manufacturing facility and implementing lean manufacturing. We have a very clear focus on growing our business profitably through the right mix of customers and products. We remain committed to building positive earnings by executing on the fundamentals: operational improvements, cost savings, and profitable sales. " ...

Via Kahiki Foods: Kahiki Announces Second Quarter FY07 Results

Cost Control Strategy: Six Sigma ...

Cummins sees record quarter, including sales growth. It expects a solid 2007 performance as it builds on a cost control strategy, based on Six Sigma principles. ...

... "The Company has a cost-control strategy in place across all businesses that is focused on using Six Sigma to become more efficient. Cummins has increased the flexibility in its manufacturing plants to deal with the expected fluctuations in demand next year resulting from new emissions regulations. " ...

Via Cummins: Cummins Reports Most Profitable Third Quarter in Company History: Power Generation and Distribution Businesses See Significant Growth ...

Productivity Improvement: Lean Six Sigma at Caterpillar ...

Caterpillar expects slower growth in the future and will have to rely of gains through productivity driven by lean six sigma. ...

... "These investments will be funded over time by productivity improvement efforts, such as global strategic sourcing and lean six sigma, to relentlessly drive out cost, simplify our supply chains and improve customer service. " ...

Via Forbes: Caterpillar Slows To A Crawl ...

Microsoft CIO: GE SixSigma Disciple ...

CIO Stuart Scott, who has a background in Six Sigma from GE, speaks about the evolution of his role from an applications and business-process-focus to full CIO responsibility for driving IT innovation at Microsoft. ...

... "PressPass: It's said that you're a Six Sigma black belt. Could you explain what that means and why it's an asset, and tell us how you parlay that sort of expertise into success in your role as CIO? Scott: Six Sigma is a data-driven process for making business decisions and choosing investments that help ensure a return for your business. It's a discipline in which you use analytical tools to draw out statistically significant information. So if you're talking to customers, for example, you want to do that in such a way that you come away with a genuine understanding of what they want, and you grasp the difference between what you could do to make those customers feel better vs. what's critical to enabling those customers to be successful, and what's critical to Microsoft's growth. Using good data and analytical tools, you can invest in programs like improving the business or putting in a new information system with the confidence that you'll achieve the desired result in terms of incremental business value. For me, that's always measured in a ledger. Any benefit we talk about has to be quantified in a way that demonstrates increased shareholder value. " ...

Via Microsoft: Microsoft CIO Stuart Scott Outlines the Company's Commitment to People-Ready Business

Stuart Scott practices project portfolio management as CIO at GE. ...

Via CIO Magazine: Deciding Factors: "STUART SCOTT MAY BE the vice president and CIO of GE Industrial Systems, but he sees himself as a venture capitalist. "

Continuous Improvement Projects: Lean Manufacturing Program ...

Lean continuous improvement projects at Bocenor improve its operational efficiency and overall outlook for future growth and profitability. ...

... "Bocenor's operating profitability improved despite lower sales, thanks to the operational and financial optimization strategy carried out in prior quarters, particularly the implementation of the Lean Manufacturing Program which considerably lowered the window and door manufacturing breakeven point, the Company’s focus on higher value-added products and less-costly-to-serve markets, the initial benefits of the recovery plan undertaken at the Ste-Marie plant in March 2006, and tight cost controls.



Management's Outlook: In recent quarters, the Company has made considerable progress in regard to the three primary objectives it has been focusing on for the past two years: improving the quality of its service, its profitability and its balance sheet. Its breakeven point has been lowered significantly thanks to the Lean Manufacturing Program, the numerous aspects of which are now being managed on a continuous improvement basis. In addition, the elimination of its long-term debt and improvement in its working capital following the sale of Multiver translated into a substantial reduction in financial expenses. In upcoming quarters, the Company's profitability should continue to be fostered by other factors, notably the recovery plan in progress at the Ste-Marie de Beauce plant, including the recent consolidation of wood preparation operations, and a further improvement in organization and operating efficiency." ...

Via Groupe Bocenor: The Company Lowers Its Breakeven Point and Intensifies Its Market Development Efforts ...

Project Management Office PMO: Six Sigma Gate Process

Chiquita strengthens its leadership team. New CIO has background in project management offices PMO with Six Sigma process methods. ...

... "Singh came to Chiquita from Gillette in Singapore where he served as director, Asia Pacific business systems and regional chief information officer for four years. He combined three independent IT organizations into a single unit responsible for all Asia Pacific IT operations. In addition, he developed a regional project management office and drove the creation of a project development and approval process tailored to Asia Pacific needs and which incorporated Six Sigma concepts while also leading the regional SAP, JDE, and Fourth Shift enterprise resource planning teams. " ...

Via Chiquita Brands International: Chiquita Announces Organizational Changes To Facilitate Market Growth Opportunities ...

CIO Management Framework: Six Sigma Balanced Scorecard ...

Successful CIOs balance internal efficiency while enabling enterprise growth ...

... "Dawson not only brought his expertise in comprehensive management frameworks - Balanced Scorecard and Six Sigma - to his new post; he also had intimate views into both the demand and supply sides of IT at ADB. " ...

Via CIO Asia: The MONEY Mantra ...

Six Sigma Quality Manager Supports Reorganization ...

Company reorganizes for growth and efficiency. ...

... "Erie Plastics also hired Dana Barre as Corporate Quality Manager. Dana has over 25 years' experience in quality management (primarily in the plastics industry) and has held positions with 3M, Loranger Plastics, Oneida Molded Products, Carlisle Engineered Products and General Electric. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering from LeTourneu University. With Green Belt Six Sigma Certification, Dana is also a qualified SPC, QS9000 and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Instructor. " ...

Erie Plastics Announces Reorganization-Based Appointments: Positions Company for Growth and Greater Focus on Internal Efficiencies

Dupont Six Sigma Productivity ...

Diane H. Gulyas, Dupont vice president, discusses growth and productivity strategies in the DuPont Performance Materials business at the Credit Suisse Chemical Industry Conference. Lean Six Sigma is accelerating the improvement of productivity. The overall marketplace requires the business to continually improve productivity and lower fixed costs. The Performance Materials division, at nearly $7 billion in revenue, is a growing and profitable segment of DuPont's overall business portfolio. ...

... "Productivity improvements have accelerated with the application of Six Sigma and lean manufacturing tools. Continual productivity improvement is integral to achieving the platform's strategy for consistent, profitable growth and in the first half of 2006 we reduced fixed cost as a percentage of sales by over 200 basis points. " ...

Via Dupont: DuPont Performance Materials Group Vice President Diane Gulyas Briefs Analysts

Six Sigma Key to Boardroom ...

Six Sigma professional joins company board of directors. ...

... "Dave is a business improvement consultant that specializes in the meeting and event industry. His company assists organizations in realizing top and bottom line growth by delivering customer focused solutions in business development, best practice and process improvement, strategic planning and training. Dave is certified in Lean Processes & DFSS for Six Sigma. " ...

Six Sigma Key to Boardroom: Via Passkey: Dave Lutz Named to Passkey Board of Directors ...

Passkey is the worldwide leader in online group hotel reservations. The Boston-based technology company offers event attendees, planners and providers with a powerful web-based on-Demand solutions that lets them make, monitor and manage their group hotel reservations Online.

Lean Kaizen: Team Drives Improvements ...

Kiesler Enterprises, a high-end custom cabinetry manufacturer, uses lean techniques to optimize performance for high growth and efficiency. ...

... "We also conducted Kaizens, short bursts of activity that result in significant improvements with the team. The Kaizen process helped redefine the relationship and interaction between sales and drafting. Both departments now combine resources and steps, said Joseph Murcko, project manager for the Arizona MEP. " ...

Via Yahoo: Custom Cabinetry Company Builds with Lean ...

The Arizona MEP is an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. The national MEP is a network of manufacturing extension centers that provide business and technical assistance to smaller manufacturers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Through MEP, manufacturers have access to more than 2000 manufacturing and business coaches whose job is to help firms make changes that lead to greater productivity, increased profits, and enhanced global competitiveness.

SixSigma Program: Cost Impact C&D Tech ...

C&D Technologies is seeing the benefits from its Six Sigma Program ...

... "In commenting on Standby Power Division results, Dr. Graves said: The Standby Power Division executed well in the quarter, with solid revenue growth reported on both a year-over-year and sequential basis, principally driven by the benefit of pricing actions taken over the last six months. Improved sales performance combined with the favorable cost impact from our Six Sigma program and the benefit from lower lead prices, led to a strong turnaround in operating profitability in the quarter. We're seeing continued momentum in our key end markets - particularly telecommunications and UPS - and we are having increasing success bringing our industry-leading products to new international markets. " ...

Via C&D Technologies, Inc.: C&D Technologies Announces Improved Second Quarter Sequential Results ...

Operating Income Increases Through Lean Manufacturing ...

Standex International's Air Distribution Products Group sees financial benefits of lean manufacturing program. ...

... "In addition, the Group's focus on operational improvements and lean manufacturing contributed to the significant increase in operating income. " ...

Via Standex: Standex Posts Double-Digit Growth in Operating Income in Fourth Quarter of Fiscal 2006; Company Reports on Progress in Executing Focused Diversity Growth Strategy ...

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

Continuous improvement programs, such as Six Sigma, continue their growth, according to study by ARC. ...

... "The continuous improvement programs used most often by manufacturers are Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and Theory of Constraints (TOC). " ...

Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Continuous Improvement Systems Forecast to Grow 12.7 percent Annually ...

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

Continuous improvement programs, such as Six Sigma, continue their growth, according to study by ARC. ...

... "The continuous improvement programs used most often by manufacturers are Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and Theory of Constraints (TOC). " ...

Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Continuous Improvement Systems Forecast to Grow 12.7 percent Annually ...

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

Continuous improvement programs, such as Six Sigma, continue their growth, according to study by ARC. ...

... "The continuous improvement programs used most often by manufacturers are Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM) and Theory of Constraints (TOC). " ...

Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive:

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 ...

Quality Management Position Available: Six Sigma Experience ...

... "QUALITY MANAGER: Growth oriented manufacturer of premiere sporting equipment is seeking a Quality Manager with the drive for improving the quality of our products and systems. The ideal candidate would have experience in managing quality programs in an ISO-9001 compliant company. ... Experience in continuous improvement initiatives essential. Six Sigma and SPC experience a plus. " ...

Via Lacrosse Tribune: Top Jobs: QUALITY MANAGER

Lean Sucess: Cessna Growth ...

Cessna performance is up, in part due to lean manufactuing implementation ...

... "For example, Cessna is continually working to boost productivity and efficiencies through lean manufacturing techniques. The company won praise for its efforts from its parent company ... " ...

Via Wichita Eagle: Cessna growth means jobs for Wichita ...

Six Sigma Business Development ...

Business development leader named at Hertzler ...

... "Tom has proven his commitment to our customers by helping them solve significant problems, said Evan Miller, Hertzler's President. Regardless of their business improvement methodology – Six Sigma, Lean, Total Quality Management, ISO - Clients come to us because they need to become data driven. Tom is an essential asset to our team at this exciting period of growth for our business. He will help enable Hertzler to build an even stronger position as the real-time enterprise data acquisition and analysis systems software leader. " ...

Six Sigma Business Development: Via Hertzler Systems: Hertzler Systems appoints Vice President of Business Development ...

Lean Growth: Go Together ...

Lean manufacturing and growth seen as complementary to company's success plan. ...

... "The high growth scheme gives us some added benefits in terms of the opportunity to tackle the additional areas that the company needs to look at in order to expand effectively. We are most concerned about the lean manufacturing activity here. " ...

Via Evening Telegraph: Scheme helps SMEs to grow ...

Kaizen Events Kanban Discipline Outperforms Expectations ...

Investment VP sees company's kaizen experience as enabling expectations to be outperformed. ...

... "Since our initial investment Breeze has obtained three new patents, centralized materials purchasing, instituted Kaizen events that have led to cost reductions and adopted Kanban disciplines to streamline inventory management, said American Capital Vice President Helen Yang. As a result, it has significantly reduced its leverage and impressively outperformed our expectations. This quick de-levering, coupled with the Company's attractive growth prospects and continued cost reductions have created conditions for a dividend recapitalization. American Capital first invested in Breeze in August 2004, supporting Wind Point's acquisition. Founded in 1948 in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Breeze invented and patented the first worm-drive hose clamp, which uses a worm screw configuration to tighten, seal and connect pipes and tubes. " ...

Kaizen Events Kanban Discipline Outperforms Expectations: Via American Capital: American Capital Invests $52 Million in Portfolio Company Breeze Industrial Products Corporation



Breeze Industrial Products Corporation with facilities in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, Auburn Hills, Michigan and Frittlingen Germany, is a leading global supplier of proprietary and patented steel clamps for the heavy duty truck, automotive, and industrial markets. Offering 13 product lines for varied clamping applications, the Company sells approximately 13,000 different SKUs marketed under the Breeze, Torca, and Clamp-All brands.

Everlast Lean Manufacturing Enhances Margins ...

Everlast sees sustained revenue and earnings growth through lean manufacturing-driven margin gains. ...

... "Seth Horowitz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive of Everlast Worldwide Inc., said We are making excellent progress with our strategies to build our global brand identity, enhance our margins, and improve our working capital usage. This is clearly evident in our substantial profitability improvement for the second quarter. As a result of our success, we believe that we can sustain strong rates of growth for both sales and earnings for the foreseeable future. We have effectively controlled costs in both our corporate and our wholesale infrastructure, instituting lean manufacturing processes, and are achieving economies of scale as we grow our sporting goods business. " ...

Via Everlast Worldwide: Everlast Worldwide Inc. Reports Strong Second Quarter Results

Lean Journey: Factory Work Cells ...

AMCO receives grant to enable workforce training in lean manufacturing. Their journey to lean involved redesign of factory into dedicated work cells. ...

... "AMCO Water Metering Systems Inc., a leading provider of innovative metering products and solutions received approval from the Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWT) for $20,000 in grant monies to be used to train their workforce in Time Wise Principles of Lean Manufacturing. Located in Ocala, Florida, AMCO Water is part of the Elster Metering Group, the world's largest multi-utility metering company for water, electricity and gas metering. Despite having a comprehensive portfolio of advanced metering products and meter reading solutions, AMCO knew that in order to continue to grow its position in the market, operational improvements were needed.



AMCO's journey began in April of this year with a change in leadership when Blake Snider became President of the company. Snider quickly realized that in order to sustain the company's growth, the business needed to embrace Lean Manufacturing; an initiative focused on continuous improvement and elimination of waste. John Bankey at the Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) was brought in to begin training the AMCO team in the Principles of Lean Manufacturing. " ...

Lean Journey: Factory Work Cells: Via Yahoo Finance: AMCO Awarded IWT Grant to Help Offset Training Costs ...

Lean Transformation: Ohio Growth Position ...

Manufacturing companies that have survived the downturn, through tranformation to lean practices, are in position to benefit during the current economic growth. ...

... "The region's survivors have learned to use the principles of lean manufacturing, which apply to small companies as well as big producers, said Steve Gage, president of MAGNET, a business consulting firm in Cleveland. Survivors have learned to differentiate themselves from competitors and to meet tight production schedules, he said. " ...

Lean Transformation: Ohio Growth Position: Via Beacon Journal: Stealthy success

Ohio has also benefited from a tax friendly business environment ...

OMA | Manufacturers Gather To Discuss State Policy: "Since the tax reform package was passed last June, companies around the state have announced plans for expansion and relocation. According to the Ohio Department of Development plans for new pharmaceuticals and metal products manufacturers and multi-million dollar expansions in numerous other companies in the state can be directly attributed to the state's new tax policy. "

Ohio manufacturing consortium forms Magnet ...



Magnet :: Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network: "Approximately 75 manufacturers from fifteen Northeast Ohio counties, as well as representatives from the Greater Cleveland Partnership, CAMP, Team NEO, NorTech and many others, spent more than a year developing a plan of action for manufacturing in Northeast Ohio. "

Ohio Department of Development supports business investment ...

Ohio Department of Development: STATE RECEIVES 60 APPLICATIONS FOR JOB READY SITES PROGRAM: "The JRS Program is a competitively funded program and was part of the $2 billion public works and economic development bond package initiative that was supported by Ohio voters last fall. The program will provide $150 million in grants to eligible and qualified applicants across the state, which are interested in developing job ready sites. There are five large-scale, high-impact project site categories that are eligible for funding under the program.



These categories include: mega manufacturing operations; technical center/research laboratories; manufacturing facilities; existing industrial buildings; and smart office complexes. Within three years after receiving a grant award, approved projects must receive certification from a third-party firm to verify the site has the necessary attributes to accommodate largescale end use development; the property will then be added to a statewide inventory of available sites. "

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 Manufacturing Medical Firm: Recognized Best Place to Work ...

Aspect Medical Systems, Inc. is recognized by the Boston Business Journal as one of the 2006 Best Places to Work, for creating a positive work environment that attracts and retains employees through a combination of employee satisfaction, working conditions and company culture. ...

... "This recognition from the Boston Business Journal is one of four notable awards Aspect Medical has received in 2006. In May, Aspect Medical was named one of the Boston Globe's Top 100 Companies. The Globe 100 ranks the best-performing publicly traded Massachusetts-based corporations using criteria including sales growth, profit, and positive returns for shareholders during 2005. In April, Aspect Medical was awarded the Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing, hailed as the Nobel Prize for manufacturing by BusinessWeek magazine. Aspect Medical also received the 2006 HR Medallion award in recognition of outstanding human resource practices that support lean manufacturing. One Shingo Prize winner is awarded the HR Medallion each year. Aspect Medical was chosen by demonstrating human resources strategies and programs that improve retention. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Medical Firm: Recognized Best Place to Work: Via Aspect Medical Systems: Aspect Medical Systems Recognized as One of the 2006 Best Places to Work by the Boston Business Journal; Award Follows Recognition as one of Boston Globe's Top 100 Companies ...

Lean Manufacturing: FlipChip Initiatives ...

FlipChip promotes lean manufacturing leader to COO position as the company begins capacity expansion. ...

... "Bob Forcier, President and CEO of FlipChip International, stated, Jay's proven track record in continuous improvement of our high quality standards, customer service and lean manufacturing initiatives is a testimonial to his capabilities and leadership skills. We are also very excited to have Jay lead our aggressive expansion in wafer processing capacity of 118% in 2006 and 2007. Customer demand has been strong under Jay's leadership and we will continue to build our capabilities with Jay directing our operations and logistic teams. Under Jay's leadership, our investments in advanced manufacturing technologies such as cell control, capacity planning, CIM, and ERP will pay many dividends to our customer service. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: FlipChip Initiatives: Via FlipChip International: FlipChip International Appoints Jay Grover as Chief Operating Officer

FlipChip growth trends:

FlipChip International Announces Record High Monthly Volumes in Wafer Level Packaging: "FCI's Spheron wafer level package for high frequency wireless applications increased 410% in the last two quarters. In addition, wafer level products utilizing lead free solders have increased to 96% of the total wafers processed as the market has moved dramatically towards lead-free production. FCI increased its capacity from 200K in 2004 to its present capacity of 375K wafers annually due to strong customer demand. "

Six Sigma Debottlenecks ...

Tom Gray, business manager with SKC Films, discusses his firm's positioning for growth and operation excellence. ...

... "On the manufacturing side, we introduced Six Sigma, focusing on streamlining to free up bottlenecks in capacity, which also helps reduce cost. " ...

Six Sigma Debottlenecks: Via Converting Magazine: Industry suppliers take the stand

Kaizen Events Kickoff Operational Excellence Program ...

MITY reports a good quarter and strong year, as it balances growth with operational efficiency. Just starting its kaizen events, you could expect it to deliver significant efficiencies over the next few years as Lean Six Sigma techniques work their magic. ...

... "To enhance our innovative chair offering, this quarter we introduced two new chair lines: the SwiftSet Courtside folding chair and the SwiftSet HDTM high density stacking chair. Both chair lines were in response to customer requests and expand our offering into previously untapped opportunities. In addition, we continue to focus on improving our operational excellence by implementing lean and six sigma manufacturing techniques. We are just starting to see some results from our efforts and, recently, had our first series of Kaizen events. " ...

Kaizen Events Kickoff Operational Excellence Program: Via Mity Enterprises: MITY ENTERPRISES, INC. ANNOUNCES RESULTS FOR FOURTH FISCAL QUARTER AND YEAR END ...

Huntsman SixSigma: Order-to-Cash Efficiency ...

... "SunGard announced that Huntsman Corporation has selected its AvantGard GETPAID Order-to-Cash solution to help improve efficiency and productivity in support of its Six Sigma initiatives. Huntsman, a global manufacturer of commodity chemicals, is integrating AvantGard GETPAID with its SAP enterprise system to help improve cash flow and reduce operating expenses. AvantGard GETPAID helps customers to improve control of financial performance and operational efficiency contributing to working capital optimization.

The Order-To-Cash process links key activities in the financial value chain, including credit analysis and approval, cash collections, dispute resolution, cash application, and financial analysis and reporting. Historically, these operations have been highly inefficient due to the lack of automated and integrated systems for Order-to-Cash management. Effective management of accounts receivable is a critical area to target for process improvements as it is a key driver of cash, cost containment and customer relationships. Business process optimization through quality initiatives such as Six Sigma can help revitalize companies and produce bottom-line results. Fine-tuning processes around the treatment of trade receivables helps yield ROI improvements as evidenced through lower DSO, reduced bad debt expense, interest expense savings and increased productivity. " ...

Huntsman SixSigma: Order-to-Cash Efficiency: Via SunGard: SunGard's AvantGard GETPAID to Help Huntsman Corporation to Manage Growth and Improve Operational Efficiency

Six Sigma Improves Cummins Cost Structure ...

CEO Tim Solso updates shareholders on Cummins 2006 performance which is forecast to break company records again. He provided details on growth and efficiency, which includes adoption of Six Sigma methodology. ...

... "Cummins is strengthening its balance sheet by paying down debt and significantly improving its cost structure through the use of Six Sigma, global sourcing and technical productivity. Cummins will have paid off more than $750 million in debt in 2005 and 2006. " ...

Six Sigma Improves Cummins Cost Structure: Via Cummins: 2006 To Be Another Outstanding Year For Cummins, Chairman Tells Shareholders ...

Six Sigma: Core Company Fabric ...

As 3M unfolds its growth strategy, Six Sigma remains a core faric of the company. ...

... "Buckley announced the formation of several Emerging Business Opportunities (EBOs) - growth-oriented units to address commercial opportunities presented by the mega trends of society. 3M has enormous opportunity to flourish in high-growth spaces like track and trace, filtration, energy and minerals extraction, and food safety, Buckley said. Buckley said international growth plans include doubling investments in the developing economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and Poland in the years ahead. International remains our single largest growth platform and we intend to invest to fully capitalize on opportunities around the world, he said. Buckley also recognized the gains 3M has made in recent years to improve its operating effectiveness, saying that Six Sigma and other performance initiatives are now part of the fabric of the company. " ...

Six Sigma: Core Company Fabric: Via 3M: 3M CEO Outlines Strategy for Growth; Company Will Focus on Innovation, International, Core Businesses and Complementary Acquisitions ...

Six Sigma: Operating Efficiencies Support Earnings Growth by Manitowoc ...

Manitowoc has an excellent quarter supported by Six Sigma operational efficiencies ...

... "Excellence in Operations: We will continue to improve our processes, which will yield better products. Improved operating efficiencies from enterprise-wide adoption of global sourcing strategies, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, and other methodologies will generate more competitive costs, better quality, faster deliveries, and improved safety. " ...

Six Sigma: Operating Efficiencies Support Earnings Growth by Manitowoc: Via Manitowoc Company: Manitowoc First - Quarter 2006 Sales and Earnings Set Company Record ...

Lean Pharma Practitioner Recognized ...

Lean Pharma exec recognized as ASQ chapter president. ...

... "Mr. Chatterjee is Chief Operations Officer of Pharmatech Associates, a full service consultancy serving the regulated life-sciences industry, providing validation services and quality process project management. Pharmatech Associates has managed and successfully deployed Lean and Six Sigma projects for pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical devices/diagnostic customers. The pharmaceutical industry must show continued growth and sustain profits as it faces public pressure to control the skyrocketing costs of therapeutics, Mr. Chatterjee said. Our industry has to seek new ways to increase production and decrease time to market. The application of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodology, specifically adapted to the pharmaceutical industry, constitutes a unique way to improve business, drive down costs and speed time-to-market. Mr. Chatterjee is a certified ISO 9000 Lead Assessor and Six-Sigma Master Black Belt with extensive experience in the design and implementation of quality systems. Mr. Chatterjee holds a B.A. in Biochemistry and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of California at San Diego. " ...

Lean Pharma Practitioner Recognized: Via PharmaTech Associates: Bikash Chatterjee Elected President of ASQ Golden Gate Chapter 2006-2007; Seminar: Applying Optimization Methodologies to the Process Industry ...

Lean SixSigma European Operations ...

Exec brings Lean Six Sigma manufacturing experience from European operations. ...

... "De Weert brings to Novelis extensive experience in driving cost reduction, lean Six Sigma manufacturing and profitable growth in the European environment. These management skills will contribute to Novelis' continued drive towards enhancing its European presence in attractive markets for high- end products. " ...

Lean SixSigma European Operations: Via Novelis: News Release

Six Sigma: Low Cost Countries Need Productivity ...

even low-cost labor countries need Six Sigma productivity and quality to stay competitive. ...

... "During the past few years, international companies in Mexico, who came originally for savings in the cost of labor, are implementing new processes in Mexico — Six Sigma and kaizen — to make labor more productive, Donahue said. Many international companies have been in Mexico five, 10, 15 years and have to be more productive to compete on a global basis. " ...

Six Sigma: Low Cost Countries Need Productivity: Via Expansion Management: Mexican Industrial Parks Eye Big Growth: Foreign manufacturers in Mexico are boosting production by employing high-tech processes ...

Growth Driven Through Six Sigma Approach ...

Softech PLM supports ELCAN's Six Sigma approach to growth. ...

... "During an Executive Leadership Workshop, ELCAN's rapid growth was identified as a burning platform; one that could burn out of control if not managed properly. Growth was obviously a good problem to have but ELCAN had the forethought to know it needed to manage it correctly without adding staff. Dedicated to continuous improvement and using techniques from the Raytheon Six Sigma approach, ELCAN followed a six step process to guide it through an assessment of its current business processes and to put into operation improvements that would support its growth. One of the first areas targeted was the Configuration Management Office (CMO). Resources were assembled to document existing CM processes in detail. " ...

Growth Driven Through Six Sigma Approach: Via SofTech: ELCAN Optical Has Clear Vision for PLM with SofTech ProductCenter ...

ELCAN Optical Technologies is a fully integrated provider of precision optical and electronic solutions for industrial, medical, defense and commercial customers. With a legacy spanning 150 years in the design and fabrication of fine optics ELCAN's founding companies include Ernst Leitz (Germany) and Texas Instruments (U.S.A). ELCAN today is part of The Raytheon company with 1100 employees and 450, 000 square feet of manufacturing operations in Midland, Ontario, Richardson, Texas and Malaga, Spain. In addition to its role as a manufacturer and supplier of quality opto-electronic products, ELCAN provides design and engineering services to assist customers in co-engineering performance solutions, manufacturing efficiencies and superior design approaches to applied optics.

Lean SixSigma Business Operating System ...

Ingersoll Rand will drive efficiency through its Lean Six Sigma business operating system as its seeks to drive global revenue growth ...

... "Operational Excellence: During 2005, the company's operational excellence activities grew operating margins a full percentage point to 12.9% despite a $175 million increase in material costs. The company expects its efforts to formalize its business operating system, a collection of best practices in continuous improvement driven by lean, six sigma and Ingersoll Rand's unique business processes, will continue to drive efficiency gains to largely offset anticipated high material, transportation and energy costs in 2006. With its portfolio transformation complete, the company plans to increase its investments by $80 million this year in initiatives promoting long-term growth. These investments will be made in new product development to drive long-term revenue growth across all five of its business sectors, and in expanding market opportunities for its recently acquired businesses. The company also intends to grow distribution channels for its Bobcat, pneumatic tools and air compressor businesses in promising geographic markets, such as Asia Pacific and Latin America. The investments will also be used to help build a new product development and engineering center in Bangalore, India, and expand the capabilities of an existing engineering center outside Prague. " ...

Lean SixSigma Business Operating System: Via Ingersoll Rand: Ingersoll Rand to Outline Strategy for Generating Consistent Growth: CEO to Discuss Long-term Plan at the Lehman Brothers Industrial Select Conference ...

Lean Six Sigma Maintains Tenneco Margins ...

Tenneco maintains its profit margins with help from Lean Six Sigma programs ...

... "The company's gross margin was 18.7%, relatively flat quarter-over quarter, despite the negative impact from higher steel costs and fuel surcharges on transportation costs. These factors offset savings and improved efficiencies from Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma and other cost reduction initiatives.

Total steel cost increases in the fourth quarter were $35 million, which were largely offset by the company's cost reduction efforts, including SGA&E restructuring savings, material cost savings, Six Sigma program savings and Lean manufacturing efficiencies as well as partial steel cost recovery from OE and aftermarket customers. Based on the company's efforts to offset increased steel costs and trends in the steel market, the company doesn't currently anticipate a significant year-over-year impact on operating results in 2006. " ...

Lean Six Sigma Maintains Tenneco Margins: Via Tenneco: TENNECO REPORTS SOLID FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS AND STRONG OPERATING CASH FLOW: Company Forecasts $1 Billion in OE Business Growth in 2007 ...

Tenneco is a $4.4 billion manufacturing company with headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois and approximately 19,000 employees worldwide. Tenneco is one of the world's largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of emission control and ride control products and systems for the automotive original equipment market and the aftermarket. Tenneco markets its products principally under the Monroe, Walker, Gillet and Clevite Elastomer brand names. Among its products are Sensa-Trac and Monroe Reflex shocks and struts, Rancho shock absorbers, Walker Quiet-Flow mufflers, Dynomax performance exhaust products, and Clevite Elastomer noise, vibration and harshness control components.

Six Sigma: Cessna Success ...

Cessna Aircraft Company leader, Jack Pelton, discusses the company's success and achievements in 2005, enabled by its Lean Six Sigma program. ...

... "He attributed the year's success to a world class Cessna team, award winning customer support, a broad product line that is responsive to the marketplace, emerging global markets, and implementation of lean manufacturing processes. During the year, Cessna delivered 249 Citation jets, 822 single engine pistons, and 86 Caravan single-engine turboprops; won FAA certification for two new jets -- the CJ1+ and CJ2+; and built its order book up to 788 jets and 1,198 single engine aircraft with a total value of $6.3 billion. The company also achieved significant refinement of its processes through implementation of the Textron Six Sigma Lean program, resulting in a more efficient, leaner company. " ...

Six Sigma: Cessna Success: Via Cessna: Remarkable Gains, Significant Achievements for Cessna in 2005 ...



Textron Six Sigma: "Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is one of the three major elements of Textron Six Sigma, and the one that's most directly tied to meeting customer requirements. Through DFSS, we identify what our customers need and deliver it better than anyone else. It's a proven way to develop top quality products, services and processes right the first time, faster, and at a much lower cost. At Textron, we are combining the key principles of DFSS with a common method for designing all new products and services across the enterprise. "

Textron Annual Report: "The next step is Textron Six Sigma, a company-wide approach to improving our processes and delighting our customers through improved enterprise excellence. Textron's unique Six Sigma model is a comprehensive, common set of tools and techniques rigorously applied to all operating and functional areas to eliminate waste, reduce variability, and accelerate growth and innovation. While the concept of Six Sigma is not new, our unique combination of best practices and powerful methodologies into a single, holistic approach makes Textron Six Sigma the most important improvement process at Textron. "

Peter N. Riley, Senior Vice President Textron Six Sigma, Integrated Supply Chain and Transformation: "Peter N. Riley is senior vice president, Textron Six Sigma, integrated supply chain and transformation. In this role, Riley works closely with all Textron business units to continue the rapid deployment of critical enterprise-wide processes and systems to improve business performance and ensure the achievement of Textron's vision. He is also responsible for driving Textron's efforts to leverage its purchasing power and improve manufacturing processes across and among its business units. "

Lean Manufacturing ERP Solution: Infor ...

Curt implements Infor's ERP solution to drive lean manufacturing transformation. ...

... "Infor, the largest global enterprise software provider exclusively focused on developing solutions for the manufacturing and distribution industries, announced that Curt Manufacturing, a Wisconsin-based manufacturer of towing-system products, has chosen Infor to provide an enterprise resource planning solution integrating its two plants and seven North American distribution sites. Curt has twice been named Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year by Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, deriving in part from its innovative product line, including color-matched hitches for the SUV and light-truck market. This rapidly growing company has chosen to ensure its future growth through investment in advanced software solutions. As a result, the company elected to work with Infor channel partner Information Systems Engineering, Inc. (ISE) to implement Infor's XA enterprise resource planning solution to standardize processes across all its locations, increase visibility of its processes to improve decision making, and provide a stable platform that can be scaled upward easily. XA is a major element of Infor's Manufacturing Essentials suite of solutions.

The company anticipates that its new Infor technology will be up and running in all nine sites within ten months. By improving visibility of inventory and shipments, the Infor ERP solution reduces lead times. Infor's solution promotes lean manufacturing by providing real-time visibility of order status and reducing the need for safety stock. Its tracking systems also enable companies to improve dramatically both the predictability of materials shipments and on-time deliveries. " ...

Lean Manufacturing ERP Solution: Infor: Via Infor: Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Selects Infor ERP Solution to Handle Company's Rapid Growth ...