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The Sixth Sigma: Achieve Breakthrough Performance Using Six Sigma

Monday, March 22, 2010

Nortech Systems Lean Manufacturing

Nortech reports challenging results for its fiscal year after leveraging lean manufacturing to support its cost and cash management strategies. ...

... "Degen concluded, We're also continuing to lower Nortech's cost structure by aggressively leveraging our lean-manufacturing initiative, which is realizing dynamic, ongoing contributions to our operations. " ...


Via Interconnection World: Financial Results

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Monday, March 15, 2010

IntriCon Lean Six Sigma Gross Margin Improvement Initiatives

IntriCon reports positive results and sees margin improvement through its LSS initiative. ...

.... "Sequentially, however, gross margins rose from 20.3 percent in the 2009 third quarter, and were up significantly from the 2009 first-quarter level of 18.4 percent. IntriCon continues to execute gross margin improvement initiatives, such as implementing lean Six-Sigma manufacturing principles in its manufacturing facilities. " ...


Via TradingMarkets: IntriCon 2009 Financial Results

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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Oklahoma partners for Six Sigma best practices

Oklahoma looks to develop its base of small to medium size businesses with strategies such as lean and Six Sigma. ...

... "Whether a company conducts improvement initiatives under Baldridge, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing, quality represents a key yardstick that businesses and customers use to measure success. All of these programs aim to streamline, integrate, and improve operating processes. " ...


Via Oklahoma Department of Commerce: Business Workforce Development

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Friday, February 05, 2010

PolyOne Accelerates Six Sigma Catching Up to Competition

Polyone leadership reviews the year's results which were positive despite the economic circumstances. Management is rapidly implementing Lean Six Sigma to drive its performance and avoid the adoption barriers experienced by its competition. ...

... "This substantial improvement in our financial position resulted from a company wide effect to cut costs, prune on profitable or high credit-risk business and expand margins of reduced working capital. These improvements were facilitated and accelerated by our newly launched Lean Six Sigma efforts. You follow many companies out there and you frequently hear them reference Lean Six Sigma principles and initiatives they employ to reduce waves and improve efficiency across their business prosthesis. Many do this very well and have been reaping benefits for years. Admittedly PolyOne was late to the game in adopting this framework, but we are off to a really terrific start. " ...


Via Seeking Alpha: PolyOne Corp 4Q09 Earnings Discussion by Management

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Friday, January 22, 2010

Internal Supply Chain Planning Improvement

Harsco Corp selects IBM to lead its business transformation initiative that will create an intelligent supply chain built on operational excellence. ...

... "IBM will perform an analysis to determine where improvements in Harsco's supply chain can be made. IBM will then develop the roadmap for a fully integrated supply chain that encompasses sourcing, procurement, logistics, planning (demand and supply), inventory and order management, and cash management. Work is scheduled to begin this month with IBM teams in place at Harsco's headquarters. " ...


Via IBM: Global Supply Chain Initiative

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Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Haynes Lean Six Sigma Program

Mark Comerford, President and CEO of Haynes International, discusses the company's results and highlights its Lean Six Sigma program which is focused on delivering operational efficiency. Haynes improvement culture extends to the environmental discipline where its has driven energy cost savings. ...

... "We’ve also expanded the use of key metrics across our business focusing on cost reduction initiatives and extending our Lean and Six Sigma programs. During the year, we were also nominated for the 2009 Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, and we were recognized by Indiana Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman, for environmental stewardship. Furthermore, working with Purdue University and US Department of Energy, we’ve taken on initiatives in our plants, which we estimate will result in savings of approximately $300,000 in annual energy costs. " ...


Via Seeking Alpha: Haynes International Earnings

More on the Haynes and Purdue collaboration ...

Purdue Manufacturing Extension Partnership project with Haynes International: "Haynes implemented a five-person Energy Savings Team to identify and implement energy savings projects ... Haynes expects to see natural gas cost savings of nearly $360,000 annually upon the completion of all the EES projects. "

Haynes International deploys Lean Six Sigma for cost reductions

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Monday, September 14, 2009

Cisco Supports China Manufacturing Development

Cisco commits to the development of Chongqing, China's manufacturing infrastructure as part of its collaborative growth strategy. ...

... "Cisco has committed to support Chongqing in their development of a future local manufacturing base for telecommunications products. The parties have committed to collaborate on several initiatives to improve the local manufacturing and supplier base, infrastructure, and logistics. Preliminary estimates would put an approximate market value on the manufacturing production at as much as 10B RMB. " ...


Via Cisco: Chongqing, China


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Saturday, August 08, 2009

Lean Six Sigma Improves Inventory Turnover at PolyOne

PolyOne works hard to improve its cost structure as it reports challengin quarterly results. The company deploys Lean Six Sigma as its lever to better manage cash flow through improvement of inventory turns. The company's CFO is a Six Sigma champion. ...

... "Robert M. Patterson, senior vice president and chief financial officer, comments: We have made tremendous progress in reducing working capital this year which has been the primary driver of cash flow growth. Most notably, we have improved our inventory turnover to 11 times--a nearly 50 percent improvement--as a result of our lean six sigma initiatives. " ...


Via PolyOne: Second Quarter 2009


PolyOne Lean Six Sigma Initiatives

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Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Lean Techniques with Customer Focus at Starbucks

Starbucks uses the voice of the customer to drive its streamlining efforts which will eliminate waste through a leaner management structure and improve customer-facing processes. ...

... "Building for the long term, which has two distinct pieces: re-aligning Starbucks organization and streamlining the management of the organization to better support customer-focused initiatives by ensuring our support and planning functions -- from back-end IT systems to store operations -- are most effectively dedicated to the customer experience.

Howard Schultz voicemail to partners: To re-ignite the Starbucks experience through driving improvement and change in all areas that touch the customer. " ...


Via Starbucks: Transformation Agenda

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

An Apple a Day and Six Sigma Healthcare

Wegman's leader discusses efficient healthcare through Six Sigma principles. ...Wegmans Speranza

... "Speranza discussed the programs that the Rochester Business Alliance’s Healthcare Initiative has developed, including the implementation of six sigma principles in local hospitals and Wegmans’ communitywide eat well, live well challenge. " ...


Via RocNow: Business

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Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Lean Investment Leads to Payoff

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

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


Via Motley Fool: These Companies

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Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Navy Six Sigma Program

Local leader will deploy Lean Six Sigma to improve the Navy's processes in talent recruiting. ...

Navy lean program will focus on recruiting

... "Ivan D. Bradley has been assigned as the first Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Team Lead for Millington to improve efficiencies and eliminate waste in processes. The Navy Recruiting Command launched the Lean Six Sigma initiative earlier this year. " ...


Via NWTN Today: United States Navy

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Six Sigma Solution Center Improves Process Variance

Supportsoft management discusses quarterly results and provides insight into the company's internal effort, including the use of Six Sigma to reduce variability in service processes provided to clients from their solution centers. ...

... "In the solution center, key improvements included the following: Establishment of a dual crew of agents who intervene to resolve long calls and identify common issues that lengthen handle times; implementation of skill-based driving to ensure services are directed to properly skilled agents, and launch of a Six Sigma style initiative to identify and resolve process variances and inefficiencies. " ...


Via Seeking Alpha: SupportSoft Earnings Call

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Monday, April 27, 2009

ITT Lean Six Sigma Strong Cash Management

ITT uses Lean Six Sigma to drive business performance
ITT discusses its quarterly performance and notes lean Six Sigma contributions to cash management and improving inventory turns. ...

... "So we’re pleased with our working capital management actions in the quarter. Working capital as a percent of sales improved 190 basis points to 13.2%. Dedicated teams at all three segments continue to drive value based lean six sigma initiatives that generated inventory turn improvement. " ...


Via Seeking Alpha: ITT Corporation Earnings Call

ITT Corporation Quarter Report: "First quarter revenue was $2.6 billion, down nine percent compared to the first quarter of 2008, and down five percent excluding the impact of foreign exchange, acquisitions and divestitures on a comparable basis. Year-to-date free cash flow generation exceeded $165 million, representing a 128 percent conversion of income from continuing operations, excluding non-cash tax adjustments. "

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Monday, April 13, 2009

Peavey Lean Manufacturing Initiative

Peavey starts lean initiatives to spur global competitiveness
Peavey Electronics initiates a company-wide Lean initiative that will drive operational efficiency across 33 facilities and strengthen the company's competitive position globally. The initiative will be staffed by an internal team that will address waste in the company's business processes and streamline the flow of work. ...

... "Lean manufacturing is a philosophy of maximizing efficiency within an organization. Although the movement first gained traction under the term Lean in the 1990s, the roots of Lean date to Henry Ford, and later, Toyota. Courtland Gray, Chief Operating Officer of Peavey Electronics, said that Peavey must refine its business model in order to position the company for continued growth. Peavey's Lean program is part of a massive, multi-million dollar reinvestment that Peavey Electronics has made in its infrastructure just since 2008, including a new ERP computer network to streamline the flow of information, enhance communication and unify its global affiliates. With this next phase, Gray said that Peavey employees hold the key to the company's future. " ...


Via Peavey: Lean Manufacturing Initiative Launched

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Monday, March 30, 2009

Remington Lean Six Sigma Progress

Remington uses lean and Six Sigma to drive efficiency in manufacturing
Remington Arms Company discusses company results and shares their focus on manufacturing productivity with Lean Six Sigma. ...

... "We continue to focus heavily on the company’s manufacturing operations. I am pleased to report ongoing progress in lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives as they have continued to improve productivity and quality. " ...


Via Remington Arms: 3Q Transcript (doc)

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Saturday, March 28, 2009

Six Sigma Healthcare Optimizes Availability

Healthcare industry transformation benefits from Six Sigma methodology to improve the patient experience. ...

... "Six Sigma best management principles are guiding the company’s initiatives, Kief said. Currently, the focus is on creating greater same-day availability for a patient to see his or her doctor, if sick ... " ...


Via Northwood News: Healthcare providers

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Thursday, March 19, 2009

SGL Six Sigma Benefits

SGL Group Six Sigma
Analysis of SGL Group's performance ... The company is expecting significant benefits from its Six Sigma efforts. ...

... "Cost reduction based on the six sigma initiative is calculated at EUR 26 mn. " ...


Via BolsaMania: Anaysis of SGL

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Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Flowserve Six Sigma CIP

Flowserve continuous improvement program
Flowserve focuses its Lean Six Sigma program on activities that will improve the customer experience, increase productivity, and expand margins. ...

... "We continue to focus on improving on-time delivery and quality, while reducing warranty costs as a percentage of sales across our global operations, through the assistance of a focused Continuous Improvement Process (CIP) initiative. The goal of the CIP initiative, which includes lean manufacturing, six sigma business management strategy and value engineering, is to maximize service fulfillment to customers through on-time delivery, reduced cycle time and quality at the highest internal productivity. This program is a key factor in our margin expansion plans. " ...


Via Flowserve Corporation: 10K SEC Filing

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

The Lean Investment Pays Offs

Lean Manufacturing Investment
Investment in productivity initiatives, such as Lean and Six Sigma, help position companies for better performance through the peaks and valleys of the business cycle. ...

... "Toyota's margins were higher because it invested heavily in automated production systems and lean manufacturing initiatives over many years and, as a result, was much better positioned to weather the current crisis than its American competitors. Investing in yourself -- especially when your competitors can't -- usually leads to a payoff down the road. " ...


Via Motley Fool: Get Better In a Recession

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Saturday, November 01, 2008

Lean Manufacturing in Health Care

Healthcare challenges are taking a back seat to economic problems. Meanwhile, exemplars in the healthcare industry are embracing improvement methods, such as lean manufacturing, to drive competitive advantage. ...

... "Weller admires initiatives implemented by ThedaCare to take lean manufacturing methods, which stress efficiency, to reduce costs. In about six years, through streamlining and adopting a model of continuous improvement, ThedaCare has saved $27 million the past three years and a 5 percent improvement in productivity. " ...


Via Appleton Post-Crescent: Health care fixes

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Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Six Sigma Benefits Exceed Expectations

Benefits are accelerating in Six Sigma government implementation. ...

... "Deputy County Executive Al Hammonds said the program will have met that goal, and then some, by years-end. " ...


Via wgrz Buffalo: Erie County Six Sigma

Erie County: "Al Hammonds is currently the Director of Six Sigma, a position that was created in January through an efficiency grant from New York State. The key initiative of the Collins' administration, Six Sigma is being implemented in county departments to help cut waste and drive efficiency. "

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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Department of Defense Lean Six Sigma Software Enabler

The U.S. military standardizes on Minitab statistical software to support its implementation of quality improvement methods using Lean Six Sigma. ...

... "Since the U.S. Army deployed Lean Six Sigma in 2005, nearly 2,000 personnel have been trained, more than 1,000 projects have been completed, and more than 1,600 remain active. The Army credits these projects with achieving nearly $2 billion in savings so far. The Department of the Navy has trained more than 5,000 sailors and Marines as Six Sigma green or black belts since 2006. The Navy estimates savings from its projects for 2006 and 2007 to be $450 million, a 4-to-1 return on investment. The U.S. Air Force has trained more than 500 Six Sigma belts, and its Air Logistics Centers received two Shingo Prizes for quality improvement last year. The Air Force has committed to a 40,000-manpower reduction without impairing its operational capabilities due in part to efficiencies gained from its initiatives. " ...


Via Minitab: Minitab quality improvement software

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Monday, June 16, 2008

Six Sigma Measurement Systems

Understand how your customers measure success and position your product or service to exceed their expectation in a differentiated way. Be prepared to offer the associated metrics. ...

... "If their company is involved in Six Sigma or other quality-type initiatives, measurement is an integral part of their operations. Your job is to uncover the existing metrics. That means you need to ask about what they track and how they measure results. " ...


Via 4Hoteliers: Value Proposition

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Thursday, May 29, 2008

Lean Six Sigma Project Challenges

Six Sigma discipline takes time to adopt and perfect. A more holistic approach to process improvement may be needed to position Six Sigma and lean properly. ...

... "There is rising concern across multiple industry sectors regarding the failure of many internally led 6s / lean projects, so much so that we must explore why so many initiatives do not reach their desired results ... " ...


Via Supply and Demand Chain: What Went Wrong?

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Huttig Lean Manufacturing Initiative

Huttig Building Products reports net loss of $9.8 million for the 2008 first quarter compared to a net loss of $3.4 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Net sales also declined by 25%, as the company adjusts its business strategy to seek efficiencies and conserve capital through lean methods. ...


... "Looking ahead, Huttig is implementing a LEAN manufacturing initiative to identify additional opportunities to improve production and operational efficiencies. The Company is also intensifying its efforts to sell slower moving inventory to free up capital and reduce debt. " ...


Via Huttig Building Products: First Quarter 2008 Results

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Laboratory Six Sigma

Hospital laboratory uses Six Sigma to drive its efficiency initiative. Cycle times for testing are decreasing. ...

... "The lab is also using the principles of Six Sigma, a system meant to help companies eliminate defects that has been embraced by General Electric and other manufacturers. " ...


Via The StarPhoenix: Saskatoon Health Region

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Tuesday, April 08, 2008

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. ...

Xerium Technologies implements lean manufacturing

... "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

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Monday, March 31, 2008

Operational Turnaround through Six Sigma Excellence

Vertis Communications reports its fiscal results and describes its turnaround plan which includes the use of lean and Six Sigma methods to drive operational excellence. ...

... "The Company implemented a turnaround plan in early 2007 involving new management and a multi-faceted turnaround strategy that includes:

1) gaining a better understanding of customer's expectations and a commitment to exceed those expectations via our Customers Delight Initiatives;

2) establishing a platform of operational excellence driving improved quality, service and efficiency via a re-engineered manufacturing system based on lean and six sigma; and

3) enhancing management processes throughout the Company.

The turnaround initiatives are beginning to show results ... " ...


Via Vertis Communications: Vertis Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results

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Saturday, December 01, 2007

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. ...

The Wright Tool company Spline

... "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.

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Lean Manufacturing is Music to their ears

Musical instrument manufacturing benefits from a dose of lean, as the workforce is educated on the principles and techniques. ...

... "But D'Addario's bigger plan to increase profitability lies in his Toyota-inspired lean manufacturing initiative. The company is putting 12 employees, who volunteered to become lean champions, through about 400 hours of training ... " ...


Via Newsday: Reinvention

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

Lean Manufacturing Excellence Recognition for Medical Diagnostics Company

Ventana Medical Systems is awarded the National Award for Manufacturing Excellence from the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). The award is in recognition of the utilization of strategies and techniques that improve competitiveness and profitability. ...

Ventana Medical Systems recognized for manufacturing excellence

... "We are very proud to be the recipient of this award, which places us as a leader in lean systems methodologies regionally, nationally and within the diagnostics industry. Our lean manufacturing initiatives, which are supported by a culture of continuous improvement, are just one of the many ways we strive every day to constantly improve upon quality, productivity and profitability throughout all levels of our global organization. " ...


Via Ventana Medical Systems: Ventana Medical Systems to Receive National Award for Manufacturing Excellence from the AME

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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Boeing Lean Manufacturing a Differentiator

Boeing wins Air Force contract for maintenance. ...

... "Using Lean manufacturing, and employee involvement initiatives, we have reduced the number of days the aircraft are out of service for maintenance by 19 percent, cutting costs by 15 percent per aircraft. " ...


Via Aviation Week: Boeing Success

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Sunday, July 22, 2007

Cost Reduction Program Yields Results

Standard Register implements cost reduction program to compete effectively in its industry. ...

... "Earlier this year, the Company consolidated its manufacturing and warehousing operations in a move expected to save approximately $5 million annually. Today's action eliminated approximately 250 positions, primarily in management and overhead, representing $22 million annually in compensation and related costs. Other new initiatives that target purchasing costs and other non-compensation expenditures are expected to lower costs by an additional $13 million annually. These actions, including the earlier restructuring, are expected to reduce second half 2007 costs by $15 million versus the levels incurred in the first six months of the year. The remaining balance of the $40 million in annual savings is expected next year. Separation costs associated with today's restructuring are estimated at $3.5 million, which will be recorded in the third quarter. " ...


Via Standard Register: Cost Reduction

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Regal Beloit Earnings Driven By Lean SixSigma

Regal-Beloit sees growth and sustains profitability through Lean Six Sigma, which helps the company increase margins. Regal-Beloit uses GE Six Sigma methods. ...

... "The Company's initiatives continued to gain traction and had a significant impact on the Company's performance. New products and acquisition growth fueled sales growth, while Lean Six Sigma helped support operating margins. Net sales increased 5.1% to $418.6 million from $398.3 million in the first quarter of 2006. " ...


Via Regal Beloit: 11% Earnings Per Share Increase on Strength of Industrial Markets

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Sunday, April 01, 2007

Lean Principles Part of Global Competition

Mexico manufacturing site builds infrastructure to compete globally on the shoulders of lean principles. ...

Sanmina SCI uses lean to compete globally

... "The company now puts more focus on product sectors and industries where there is a competitive advantage, such as enterprise computing and storage, medical, auto-motive, multimedia, industrial and communications. It also employs Lean manufacturing initiatives. " ...


Via Electronics Supply and Manufacturing: Mexico Electronics Manufacturing

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Wednesday, March 07, 2007

Nortech Strategic Focus: Lean Manufacturing Initiative to Drive Significant Profit Margins

Nortech Systems reports 17 percent increase in quarterly net sales and an increase in annual net income. The company is initiating a lean manufacturing program to continually improve operational efficiency resulting in expansion of profit margins. ...

Nortech implements lean manufacturing initiative to drive lower costs and increase profits

... "During 2006, Degen said higher costs for energy and commodities were offset by volume increases and operational leveraging. Another strategic focus for Nortech is the launching of a comprehensive lean manufacturing initiative aimed at further cost reductions and continual improvements. This program has a near-term goal of increasing the company's net profit significantly. As with lean manufacturing efforts, Nortech will continue to focus on building customer relationships that will permeate every aspect of the company, not just sales and customer service. While strengthening its relationship with existing customers, Degen said the company continues to gain traction both with new customers and new markets. " ...


Via Nortech: Nortech Systems Reports Fourth Quarter, Fiscal 2006 Year-End Results ...

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Monday, February 05, 2007

LeanSixSigma ProfitMargin Improves: Regal-Beloit

Regal Beloit uses lean six sigma to drive operational efficiency
Regal-Beloit sees bottom-line impact from Lean Six Sigma initiatives. Its profit margin is increasing from the operating efficiencies created by Six Sigma projects. The CEO reports that the earnings improvement is largely driven by contributions from corporate wide initiatives. REGAL-BELOIT CORPORATION is a leading manufacturer of mechanical and electrical motion control and power generation products. The company is headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin. ...

... "The gross profit margin for the fourth quarter of 2006 was 24.3%, which was 150 basis points above the gross profit margin in the fourth quarter of 2005 as a result of contributions from our Lean Six Sigma and productivity initiatives. Income from operations was $39.5 million or 10.8% of sales, a 3.1% increase over the $38.3 million or 10.2% of sales reported for the fourth quarter of 2005." ...


Via Regal-Beloit: REGAL-BELOIT Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Increase 8%

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Sunday, February 04, 2007

Defense Lean Manufacturing Initiative

General Dynamics uses lean manufacturing in its weapons operations
General Dynamics weapons manufacturing has accelerated, given world events. The company emphasizes efficiency with lean manufacturing as its foundation. ...

... "And in the last few years, they've begun to use the equipment in smarter ways, through lean manufacturing initiatives. For example, the company has gone to manufacturing cells - where a variety of jobs are performed on parts in a concentrated area, " ...


Via Maine Today: Defense Manufacturer Lean Initiatives

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Thursday, February 01, 2007

Six Sigma Statistics Software: Minitab New Release

Six Sigma projects uses Minitab statistical software
Minitab releases version 15 of its flagship statistical software. This release contains a number of enhancements, such as expanded Gage R&R capabilities, power curves for power and sample size, and probability distribution plots. ...

... "Although Minitab is widely known for being easy to use, it contains the advanced tools needed for even the most rigorous quality improvement projects. That combination has fueled the software’s success, and Minitab has been used to implement virtually every major Six Sigma initiative around the world. " ...


Via Minitab: MINITAB LAUNCHES RELEASE 15 OF MINITAB STATISTICAL SOFTWARE

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Wednesday, November 08, 2006

5S Effort: Lean at Moyno

Moyno implements lean manufacturing initiatives to achieve profitability through cost savings and to attract and retain highly skilled employees. ...

Lean 5S initiative at Moyno focuses on efficiency

... "The 5S efforts of the lean manufacturing program involve five specific areas of focus: sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain. At Moyno, 5S is being implemented in six areas including, for example, the chrome plating area, the small pump area and the office area. " ...


Via Impeller: Lean Manufacturing Initiatives Increase Efficiencies at Moyno ...

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Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Improve Customer Service: Lean Initiative ...

Hawk focuses benefits of lean manufacturing on customer service levels. ...

... "We have continued to focus on a number of lean manufacturing initiatives at our friction products and precision components segments to improve our level of customer service. " ...


Via HAWK Corporation: Hawk Announces Third Quarter 2006 Results

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Thursday, October 26, 2006

LaZBoy Lean Manufacturing Initiative ...

LaZBoy receives support for transformation of its workforce to lean methods, which sustain its global competitiveness. ...

LaZBoy implements lean

... "Stegeman said the cellular, or lean manufacturing is a move away from the old production-line way of doing things at the Newton plant. " ...


Via The Newton Record: La-Z-Boy going to lean manufacturing ...

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Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Government Kaizen Initiative

Local authority uses kaizen methods to improve services and their success is recognized. ...

Shire recognized for kaizen initiative

... "Following recognition at national level, Aberdeenshire Council's Kaizen initiative is now a beacon of excellence across Europe after taking an international award for continuous improvement.

The Aberdeenshire approach on this theme is based on the Kaizen model. Kaizen is a Japanese expression meaning making something as good as it can be and the process engages teams of employees in concentrated blitzes to identify more efficient ways of working. The exercise has been driven by Chief Executive Alan Campbell and his Senior Management Team since 2004, and is supported by facilitators in all of the council services and Kaizen Champion Pat Browne. For each blitz undertaken, a team leader is appointed and in turn selects a team of between 10 and 14 people who are close to the process to be improved. " ...

Via Aberdeenshire Council: Aberdeenshire Blitzes competition to take European award ...

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Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Sustain Profit through Lean Initiative ...

Material Sciences Corp leverages Lean Manufacturing initiative to weather the storm in a declining sales environment. ...

... "Clifford D. Nastas, chief executive officer for Material Sciences: However, despite the sales decline, our lean manufacturing and quality improvement initiatives implemented last year, combined with higher scrap prices, enabled us to sustain gross profit. " ...

Via Material Sciences Corp: Material Sciences Corporation Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2007 Results ...

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Monday, October 09, 2006

TPM Total Productive Maintenance: A Challenge

Incentivize your total productive maintenance initiative to position for success with computerized maintenance management systems. ...

... "Implementation of any major change such as Lean, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) or a new CMMS can be difficult at best, especially given industry's dismal track record of success. " ...

Via Plant Services: Incentive-based CMMS implementation ...

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Friday, September 22, 2006

Kaizen Delivery Improvement Recognized by Toyota ...

Toyota recognizes the Hub Group for reducing its variability in on-time delivery. Hub's achievement in delivery improvement is celebrated by Toyota with its Kaizen Challenge Award. The two companies worked collaboratively to enable this accomplishment. ...

Toyota partner leverages kaizen process for successful on-time delivery performance ...

... "Hub Group, Inc. has been awarded Toyota's prestigious North American Parts Operations (NAPO) 2006 Kaizen Challenge Award. Kaizen is a critical component of the Toyota Production System (TPS) management practice, and this award recognizes Hub Group not only for its ability to work in partnership with Toyota management, but for significant performance and efficiency improvements achieved in product deliveries to Toyota's U.S. Parts Delivery Centers (PDCs) across the country.

The kaizen team, comprised of both Hub Group and Toyota professionals, was able to significantly reduce bunching (the tendency for inbound container volumes arriving at PDCs to fluctuate unevenly throughout the week), improve on-time performance (from not-late to not-late and not-early), and to reduce costs by eliminating rail detention and storage for the Toyota PDCs. As a result of the success of this initiative, additional Toyota PDCs have been added to the program. Since Kaizen is a continuing process, further improvements will be explored and documented throughout Toyota’s PDC system. " ...


Via Hub Group: Hub Group Earns Toyota 2006 Kaizen Challenge Award

Hub Group, Inc. is a leading asset-light freight transportation management company providing comprehensive intermodal, truckload brokerage and logistics services.

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Sunday, September 17, 2006

Kaizen Events: Employee Involvement ...

Metaldyne involves their workforce in continuous improvement through kaizen events. ...

Metaldyne uses Kaizen to drive continuous improvement ...

... "In addition, employees participated in 26 Kaizen group events in 2005 to improve all aspects of the operation. Another key driver was a preventative maintenance initiative in each department. " ...

Via Inside INdiana Business: Indiana Companies Honored For Productivity ...

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Training Opportunity: Six Sigma Process ...

Funding grants are available for Six Sigma process improvement training ...

Six Sigma training grants ...

... "Business services and healthcare organizations are also encouraged to apply for funds to train employees in process improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, ISO and Six Sigma. Organizations in these industries can request up to $25,000 per application for training that can be completed in 12 months or less. " ...

Via Democrat & Chronicle: Business

Via ETA: Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Announces $195 Million for President Bush's Competitiveness Agenda: "The goal of the WIRED initiative is to transform regional economies by enlisting the skills of the numerous and varied players in those economies to research and produce long-term strategic plans that prepare workers for high-skill, high-wage opportunities in the coming years and into the next decade. "

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Monday, July 31, 2006

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.

Lean manufacturing enables efficient factory design ...

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 ...

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Sunday, July 30, 2006

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. ...

Ohio manufacturers are positioned for 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 ...

Ohio manufacturing firms form 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.

Ohio invests in job ready manufacturing sites ...

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. "

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Sunday, July 23, 2006

Lean Army Management Initiative ...

Army increases its efficiency with Lean Six Sigma ...

Baumholder Army Lean Program ...

... "The new Army management initiative is Lean Six Sigma, said Holzinger and other Baumholder officials. Under Lean Six Sigma — two programs borrowed from corporate giants such as Motorola and Toyota – all employees are charged with thinking of ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. " ...

Lean Army Management Initiative: Via Stars & Stripes: Baumholder seeks ways to trim costs, increase efficiency ...

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Saturday, July 22, 2006

Kaizen Accelerates Production ...

Kaizen quality initiative complements Christie's production acceleration. ...

Production accelerates as Christie keeps pace with kaizen quality ...

... "As part of its aggressive expansion in manufacturing capacity, Christie is also hiring additional technical and administrative staff that includes electronics, mechanical and optical engineers, technicians and industry experts. Christie has also implemented rigorous in-house educational and training programs designed to further maximize efficiency levels, streamline production, and deliver quality control standards that are among the highest in the industry. This includes an extensive global quality initiative and continuous improvements through Kaizen practices to ensure consistent conformance to customer expectations, while maintaining the highest standards of quality. " ...

Via Christie: Christie Ramps Up Projector Production as Digital Cinema Contracts Surge Worldwide ...

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Saturday, June 03, 2006

Lean Six Sigma Supports Joint Venture ...

Perkins joint venture sees success with lean in the UK ...
Adam Cort explores the success of Lean Six Sigma at an exemplary plant in the UK ...

... "Then came CAT's 2001 Six Sigma initiative, whereby the company mandated that operations worldwide would adopt the methodology. According to Clark, Six Sigma helped Perkins Shibaura focus its quality efforts. " ...

Lean Six Sigma Supports Joint Venture: Via ASSEMBLY: Crossroads in the UK ...

Perkins and Japanese manufacturer Ishikawajima Shibaura machinery, Ltd. (ISM) launched a joint venture company, Perkins Shibaura Engines, Ltd., and a manufacturing facility in 1996 adjacent to the Perkins manufacturing plant in Peterborough, UK. The original product was the Perkins 100 Series engine. ISM has been manufacturing agricultural equipment and engines since the 1940s and is one of Japan's leading suppliers of small engines and tractors. ISM is part of Ishikawajima Harima Industries - (IHI), one of Japan's largest industrial companies.

Perkins Engines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc. and the world's leading supplier of off-highway diesel and gas engines in the 4 - 2000 kW (5 - 2600 hp) market. Perkins' key strength is its ability to tailor engines precisely to meet customers' requirements. More than 300,000 engines are manufactured every year -- that's one every minute -- to 21,000 different specifications. For more than 75 years Caterpillar Inc. has been building the world's infrastructure and, in partnership with its worldwide dealer network, is driving positive and sustainable change in every continent. With 2002 sales and revenues of $20.15 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Operational Excellence: Six Sigma Work Process Change ...

IntraWest uses Six Sigma to jump-start its operational excellence program ...
IntraWest announces quarterly results and sees some increase in expenses as it ramps up its Six Sigma operational excellence program. ...

... "A new operational excellence initiative (modeled off Six Sigma) designed to change our work processes in order to derive cost savings and efficiencies in the future, which added $1.2 million of costs. " ...

Operational Excellence: Six Sigma Work Process Change: Via Intrawest: INTRAWEST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER FISCAL 2006 RESULTS ...

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Monday, May 08, 2006

Lean Manufacturing ERP Selection Criteria ...

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

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

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

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Friday, May 05, 2006

Kaizen Team: Lean Initiative for Laser Production ...

Team uses kaizen to initiate lean manufacturing program ...
... "Mark Blodgett, President and Chief Executive Officer, announced that StockerYale's Montreal manufacturing facility has implemented a lean manufacturing initiative for its laser production lines. Lasers represent approximately 80% of the revenues generated in this facility. The Montreal site selected a cross functional team and worked with Bell Nordic, a Canadian consulting and training firm, on team leadership and self-directed work team training. The Company chose Bell Nordic to facilitate employee empowerment and mobilization for the Kaizen approach to lean manufacturing. After training, the Kaizen team implemented a revamped process flow for better customer response through shorter cycle times, improved product quality and for reduced waste costs from scrap, rework and warranty expense. Additional continuous improvement projects underway this quarter will complete a 5 S manufacturing environment and streamline strategic processes. " ...

Kaizen Team: Lean Initiative for Laser Production: Via StockerYale: StockerYale Announces Lean Manufacturing Initiative

StockerYale, Inc., headquartered in Salem , New Hampshire , is an independent designer and manufacturer of structured light lasers, LED modules, and specialty optical fibers for industry leading OEMs. In addition, the company manufactures fluorescent lighting products and phase masks. The Company serves a wide range of markets including the machine vision, industrial inspection, defense, telecommunication, sensors, and medical markets.

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Monday, May 01, 2006

MagnaChip Six Sigma Management System ...

Semicon manufacturer, MagnaChip, leverages Six Sigma management system to increase quality, lower costs, improve its reputation in the market. ...

... "Robert Krakauer, EVP of Strategic Operations and CFO of MagnaChip Semiconductor, said, During the quarter, we initiated a Six Sigma management system that is expected to result in improved product quality, substantial cost savings, and enhance our industry leading profile. This initiative specifically focuses on three areas within MagnaChip: Sales & marketing, Research & Development, and Production. Our Six Sigma initiatives will allow us to more effectively deliver industry-leading solutions to our consumer electronics and communications customers worldwide and place us on the same corporate development path as recognized global industry leaders. This program is not only limited to enhancing cost savings and quality but will be actively used to improve overall business management, innovation and execution. " ...

MagnaChip Six Sigma Management System: Via MagnaChip Semiconductor: MagnaChip Semiconductor Reports First Quarter Results ...

Six sigma program employed by MagnaChip in semiconductor manufacturing ...

MagnaChip Semiconductor is a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of mixed-signal and digital multimedia semiconductors addressing the convergence of consumer electronics and communications devices. We focus on CMOS image sensors and flat panel display drivers, which are complex, high performance, mixed signal semiconductors that capture images and enable and enhance the features and capabilities of both small and large flat panel displays. MagnaChip also provides wafer foundry services utilizing CMOS high voltage, embedded memory, analog and power process technologies for the manufacture of IC's for customer-owned designs. MagnaChip has world-class manufacturing capabilities and an extensive portfolio of approximately 11,900 registered and pending patents. As a result, MagnaChip is a valued partner in providing leading technology solutions to its customers worldwide.

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Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Six Sigma Change Initiative ...

Six Sigma is a major change initiative ...

... "Larry Bossidy, while CEO of AlliedSignal, preceded the Six Sigma initiative with two smaller initiatives: Total Quality Management (TQM) and Total Quality for Speed (TQS). Using these first two initiatives, he taught the $14 billion company how to launch initiatives. " ...

Six Sigma Change Initiative: Via InformIT: Six Sigma in 90 Days: The Initiative, the Deployment, the Technology ...

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Monday, April 17, 2006

Lean Manufacturing Company Initiative ...

Lean manufacturing initiative is aimed at cost control ...

... "To control costs, our primary focus is on improving production yields and implementing lean manufacturing techniques across the Company. Also, we are currently in negotiation with our represented employees at our Circuits facility in Toronto and we anticipate reaching a new contract in our second quarter on terms that are good for our employees and for the Company, added Mr. Joe Ricci, Vice President and CFO. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Company Initiative: Via Firan Technology Group: Firan Technology Group Corporation Announces First Quarter 2006 Earnings ...

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Thursday, March 30, 2006

GE Six Sigma Pays Off ...

GE seeing pay-off from innovation and Six Sigma. ...

... "Under chief executive Jeff Immelt, GE's higher-margin service revenues are playing a larger role, carrying margins of 20% to 30% or more, while the introduction of a six sigma management system and a new simplification initiative to remove overhead costs should free up capital. " ...

GE Six Sigma Pays Off: History Repeats Itself As GE Rebounds: Via Forbes ...

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Tuesday, March 28, 2006

Six Sigma World-Class Performance ...

MagnaChip launches Six Sigma program to drive to world-class performance. ...

... "MagnaChip Semiconductor, a leading specialty foundry service provider, today announced that the Company is initiating Six Sigma management system that is expected to result in improved product quality, substantial cost savings, and enhance MagnaChip's industry leading profile. MagnaChip inaugurated the Company-wide initiative on March 21, 2006 at the Company's headquarters in Cheongju. These new initiatives will specifically focus on three areas within MagnaChip: Sales & marketing, Research & Development, and Production. " ...

Six Sigma World-Class Performance: Via MagnaChip: New Initiatives Expected to Deliver Cost Savings and Enhance World-Class Performance ...

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Sunday, March 26, 2006

Lean Process Faster Delivery ...

Lean process accelerates faster delivery of planar arrays. ...

... "UK-based passive component manufacturer, Syfer Technology, is introducing a lean manufacturing programme aimed at reducing lead times of planar arrays by a third. Representing a significant investment, this initiative forms a part of the company's Six Sigma quality programme, currently under way, with the overall objective of reducing the costs of ownership for its customers. Syfer's lean manufacturing programme will be looking at all elements of waste, including time, within its manufacturing processes, with the goal of reducing the lead time on planar arrays by 2 weeks. Planar Arrays are complex EMI filtering devices, used in filtered connectors, containing combinations of capacitors, ground lines and feed-throughs. A single array can contain up to 155 capacitors, in up to four different capacitance values, with a choice of dielectric, planform and voltage rating. It is truly the most complex device within the multilayer capacitor industry, and is typically a custom designed, application specific part. " ...


Lean Process Faster Delivery: Via Syfer: LEAN PROCESS FOR FAST DELIVERY OF PLANAR ARRAYS: Lead times for Planar Arrays reduced through Lean manufacturing ...

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Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Six Sigma Process Excellence: Aerospace ...

Aerospace process excellence initiative sets challenging goals ...

... "The Process Excellence initiative will focus on strategic leadership; quality improvement to six sigma levels; achievement of 100 percent on-time delivery; 75 percent lead-time reduction; and 75 percent reduction in non-value added activity. " ...

Six Sigma Process Excellence: Aerospace: Aerospace companies ready for take-off: Via The Manufacturer

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Friday, March 03, 2006

Six Sigma Project Risk Management ...

Air Force teams manage risks and Six Sigma improvement projects ...

... "Blue Teams are just one of many ways Electronic Systems Center is doing business consistent with the Air Force Smart Ops 21 construct. Smart Ops 21, which seeks to improve productivity while reducing waste, relies on proven industry practices such as Six Sigma and Lean. " ...


Six Sigma Project Risk Management: Via Department of Defense: Center Charting Smart Course with Blue Teams: The Air Force has vowed to improve its acquisition timeliness and cost through an initiative known as Going Green – green symbolizing a program that is in good shape using the stoplight model ...

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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Accelerate Lean Manufacturing to Improve Production Difficulties ...

CIRCOR sees lean manufacturing initiative as means to restore profitability and improve nagging production difficulties ...

... "Production difficulties continued as operational changes, consolidation projects and constraints on the supply of certain raw materials added costs and lowered our expected profitability. In response to these issues, we are strengthening our supplier management processes and expanding our international sourcing programs. We are also accelerating our Lean manufacturing improvement initiatives with a focus on manufacturing constraints, and initiating further facility consolidations. As a result, we expect to show an improving profitability trend during 2006. " ...


Accelerate Lean Manufacturing to Improve Production Difficulties: Via CIRCOR: CIRCOR Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results ...

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Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Global Six Sigma Efforts Improve Operating Income ...

Ingram Micro's global Six Sigma efforts support the improvement of operating income ...

... "The significant improvement in operating income is due, in part, to the North American outsourcing and optimization initiative announced in April 2005, a better margin mix from new business models such as AVAD, as well as our Six Sigma efforts throughout the world. " ...

Global Six Sigma Efforts Improve Operating Income: Via Ingram Micro: Ingram Micro Reports Fourth Quarter, Full-Year 2005 Results: Annual Revenues Surpass $28.8 Billion: Net Income Hits a Fourth-Quarter Record, Driving EPS to $0.51 ...

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Sunday, January 22, 2006

Kaizen Operations Manager Position Available ...

Operations management position requires kaizen experience ...

... "This is a role of tremendous scope and potential, reporting to the General Manager and leading a dedicated, multi-disciplined operations team covering manufacturing, logistics, planning and kaizen. You will be responsible for developing and implementing the strategic operations plan whilst introducing structural and cultural change in order to capitalise on rapidly evolving market opportunities. This will involve changing outmoded ways of thinking, encouraging open communication and initiative and leading a 500 strong workforce in the pursuit of greater profitability and performance. Key tasks will include establishing a zero PPM culture within the organisation and using TPS to drive standardised working practices. " ...

Kaizen Operations Manager Position Available: Via jobs.telegraph.co.uk: UK job vacancies, online job search ...

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Thursday, January 19, 2006

Aggressive Six Sigma Combined with Price Increases ...

C&D must aggressively implement Six Sigma while increasing prices to maintain acceptable margins, in the face of dramatic raw material and energy spikes. ...

... "This rapid escalation in total lead costs has occurred simultaneously with copper and polymer resin price increases of over 8% over this same period and a similarly dramatic rise in the price of natural gas used in battery manufacturing operations. While we are continuing to focus aggressively on productivity improvements and cost reduction efforts as a part of our Six Sigma initiative, increases of this magnitude that occur in essential commodity costs must be addressed in part through increased pricing to our customers. We continue to work with our suppliers to drive economies in the supply chain and are hopeful that this difficult cost environment is of limited duration. " ...

Aggressive Six Sigma Combined with Price Increases: Via C&D Technologies, Inc.: C&D Technologies, Inc. Announces General Price Increase for Standby and Motive Power Products Effective March 1, 2006 ...

C&D Technologies, Inc. provides solutions and services for the switchgear and control (utility), motive (material handling), telecommunications, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS) as well as emerging markets such as solar power. C&D Technologies engineers, manufactures, sells and services fully integrated reserve power systems for regulating and monitoring power flow and providing backup power in the event of primary power loss until the primary source can be restored. C&D Technologies' unique ability to offer complete systems, designed and produced to high technical standards, sets it apart from its competition. C&D Technologies is headquartered in Blue Bell, PA.

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Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Six Sigma Statistical Tools ...

Article explores Six Sigma continuous improvement initiatives in continuous manufacturing processes and the deployment of statistical tools. ...

... "Companies or business units with a continuous process should focus their improvement effort on two things that cost them the most: raw material yield efficiency and machine uptime. There is no common theme that focuses specifically on improving the yield efficiency of raw materials due to differences in yield characteristics. Many companies, however, successfully apply statistical tools, as a part of a Six Sigma initiative, to improve yield efficiency. " ...

Six Sigma Statistical Tools: Via Bangkok Post Business: Watch yield and uptime in a continuous process ...

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Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Manufacturing Integration: Apriso Achieves Netweaver Interoperability ...

Apriso achieves SAP Netweaver interoperability and demonstrates plant-to-business integration using S95 standards. ...

... "In addition, FlexNet has also attained Powered by SAP NetWeaver, Interoperability Certification. The designation is awarded to partners certified for using SAP NetWeaver XI to build content packages based on industry standards that properly connect to the mySAP ERP solution and other SAP software applications. Apriso used the ISA-S95 standard to build a manufacturing scenario for production scheduling and performance monitoring. Apriso was invited by SAP to join the new industry standards initiative, comprised of pilot partners that are near completion for the Powered by SAP NetWeaver, Interoperability Certification. A long-standing SAP Software Partner, Apriso also holds Certified for SAP NetWeaver status by achieving the CA-XML interface certification. Apriso has been working with SAP for many years and previously achieved interface certifications in the areas of production, warehouse management, plant maintenance, and human resources. Apriso customers run their businesses on enterprise software from a range of vendors. The FlexNet platform has been built from the ground up to be ERP-centric, ensuring efficient operations within a distributed enterprise and the extended supply network. Users have always been able to deploy FlexNet with confidence, knowing that it fully leverages the advantages of the mySAP Business Suite family of business solutions and other SAP solutions. " ...

Manufacturing Integration: Apriso Achieves Netweaver Interoperability: Via Apriso Corporation: Apriso Among Small Group of Pilot Partners Comprising SAP’s Industry Standards Certification Initiative ...

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Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Lean Manufacturing Initiative Experience: Manufacturing EVP

Executive Vice President EVP appointed with experience in lean manufacturing initiatives. ...

... "His accomplishments in this assignment included a General Electric Consumer Products President's Award for Customer Centricity and he has implemented several Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing Initiatives. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Initiative Experience: Manufacturing EVP: Via Professional Door Dealer: Wayne-Dalton Names Executive Vice-President of Manufacturing Operations

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Friday, December 09, 2005

GE Six Sigma Leader Becomes Nortel Exec ...

GE leader with Six Sigma experience joins Nortel as executive for supply chain and quality management ...

... "Hackney has a world-class background in general management, supply chain, leadership skills, and Six Sigma expertise. He has more than 14 years of global leadership experience at GE working for a wide variety of the GE family of businesses including GE Lighting (North America and Europe), GE Aircraft Engines, GE Power Systems, GE Investments, and GE Mergers and Acquisitions, and his leadership roles have spanned audit, supply chain, operations, product management, and general management. " ...


GE Six Sigma Leader Becomes Nortel Exec: Via Nortel: Nortel Appoints New Global Supply Chain and Quality Leader

GE Six Sigma leader joins Nortel ...

Implementing Six Sigma, Executive Strategy, Methodology, experience and results: "Six Sigma has become a small cottage industry. This industry is overpopulated with trainers. It is amazing how all the providers claim to have implemented Six Sigma at Allied Signal, GE, Bombardier, Sony, and etc. The truth is anyone who was a Black Belt for 6-months, scheduled a conference room, or made a presentation takes the liberty to claim responsibility."

Vai domain-B : The Six Sigma Primer: "Interestingly, GE proved that Six Sigma was not just for manufacturing, also applying it with success to GE Capital. In the first year, Six Sigma saved GE $170 million for a $200 million investment; in year two savings were $700 million for a $400 million investment."

Business Leader: Best Practices: Mastering Six Sigma Excellence: "Six Sigma is a sophisticated quality program created by Motorola in the 1980's and perfected by General Electric (GE) during the past five years. The initiative is a highly involved measurement device of production defects per one million operations. While it was originally intended to serve as a manufacturing process, several top companies have transitioned its role to focus on virtually all service-related transactions."

Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that enhance the human experience, ignite and power global commerce, and secure and protect the world's most critical information. Serving both service provider and enterprise customers, Nortel delivers innovative technology solutions encompassing end-to-end broadband, Voice over IP, multimedia services and applications, and wireless broadband designed to help people solve the world's greatest challenges. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries.

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Thursday, December 08, 2005

Six Sigma Employee Training Investment ...

Six Sigma Employee Training Investment: Via NWAnews: NWACC named training provider for state program ...

... "Kennametal Inc. of Rogers sponsored the initiative, focusing on training existing employees in the Six Sigma quality process and national electrical code requirements. " ...

Investment in Six Sigma employee training ...

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - News: "The family-owned company has participated in Valley Industrial Association training programs since 2000 as it upgrades the skills of its employees to use state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing equipment. Employees have learned advanced programming, tool handling, and operation of robotics; software programming and use for specialty equipment; and manufacturing concepts such as SPC and Six Sigma."

Xerox - Factbook: "Xerox manufacturing and distribution facilities are managed to the highest quality and environmental standards; all manufacturing factories are ISO 9000 and 14001 certified. Extensive employee training and involvement is practiced, and the use of quality tools, such as Lean Six Sigma, is pervasive. "

Quality Digest Magazine: "One benchmark partner developed an apprenticeship program to develop employee knowledge across skill competencies. The program enabled the company to achieve Six Sigma production quality and a 90-percent retention rate of employees who participated in the program."

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Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Operational Excellence Initiative: Six Sigma Implementation ...

Material Sciences must place emphasis on operational excellence initiatives to remain competitive in its industry. ...

Operational Excellence Initiative: Six Sigma Implementation: Via Material Sciences Corporation: Material Sciences Corporation Announces Preliminary Second Quarter Fiscal 2006 Results Of Operations ...

... "Chief Executive Officer Clifford D. Nastas said, Customer interest in our Quiet Steel business continues to gain momentum; however, the near term holds a number of challenges, including increased competition for Quiet Steel and our decorative laminate products, volatility in automotive builds and higher costs related to energy. As these factors test our ability to improve margins, we will continue to look for ways to offset higher costs through the implementation of both lean manufacturing and six sigma operational excellence initiatives. " ...

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Tuesday, November 15, 2005

Operational Performance Management Software: Enable Six Sigma Initiatives ...

Pilot Software enables Sovereign's Six Sigma initiative with its operational performance management software. ...

Operational Performance Management Software: Enable Six Sigma Initiatives: Pilot Software Selected by South Africa-based Sovereign Health for its Performance Management Needs: Reinforces Pilot’s global presence, healthcare performance management expertise ...

... "Pilot® Software, the original provider of operational performance management solutions, today announced that South Africa-based Sovereign Health Pty Ltd has selected Pilot Software’s operational performance management solution to further its corporate objectives and leadership within the market. " ...


With more than 40 years’ experience in healthcare administration, Sovereign Health Pty Ltd remains focused on differentiating and distinguishing itself as the best and first at whatever it does. The company was the first healthcare administrator in South Africa to adopt Six Sigma process efficiency improvement initiatives; the first and only South African healthcare administrator to be conferred with the coveted ISO9001:2000 certification; and the first South African company to be certified to the internationally acclaimed information security management system, the BS7799 . Sovereign Health currently administers four open and seven closed medical schemes, accounting for over 105,000 members.

Pilot is the leader in operational performance management solutions for customer operations, public sector, and Web channel organizations. The culmination of more than 15 years of development and industry expertise — starting with the first-ever performance management solution deployed — Pilot’s patent-pending solutions dramatically improve performance by rapidly aligning day-to-day execution with strategic objectives. Pilot’s operational alignment framework includes software components for strategy plans and pathways; initiative management and prioritization; scorecards and dashboards; reports and ad hoc analysis; and modeling and integration.

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Saturday, November 05, 2005

Exec Appointment: Six Sigma Background: Del Global Tech ...

Exec Appointment: Six Sigma Background: Del Global Tech: Via Del Global Technologies Corporation: Del Global Technologies Appoints Christoper N. Japp Preseident of Del Medical Systems Group: Mr. Japp To Lead Company’s Strategic Global Sales Initiative ...

... "Mr. Japp comes to Del Global from St. Jude Medical International, where he served as Vice President, Cardiac Surgery since 2003. During his tenure, he led efforts to increase international sales, broaden new business opportunities, and develop and implement sales incentive plans. From 1990 to 2003, he held positions of increasing responsibility at GE Healthcare, including management and sales positions in Canada, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Mr. Japp was promoted to General Manager, CT (Computer Tomography) Advanced Applications Products in 2001. Mr. Japp is Six Sigma Certified and has a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Queen's University, Kingston, Canada. " ...

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RFID Plant MES Software: 3M Lean Supply Chain

3M expands its HighJump software, used in RFID applications, for MES applications in its plants. ...

RFID Plant MES Software: 3M Lean Supply Chain: Via 3M: 3M Selects HighJump's Manufacturing Advantage Software to Standardize Plant Systems Worldwide ...

... "3M announced it will implement HighJump Software's manufacturing execution system (MES), Manufacturing Advantage, as part of its ongoing global initiative to standardize manufacturing systems. 3M will use the Manufacturing Advantage software at 70 locations worldwide to improve management of shop floor activities, thereby enabling more efficient production. 3M is continuously striving toward a demand-driven, lean supply chain where its industry-leading products are manufactured based on customer demand. To this aim, the HighJump MES system will help 3M build its products just in time, in the right quantities, and according to the highest standards for quality and turnaround. Since Manufacturing Advantage is part of HighJump's adaptable Advantage suite, 3M will be able to configure its applications quickly and cost-effectively. This will allow the company to carry out its goal of supporting a diverse set of plant-specific requirements without supporting a diverse set of systems. HighJump has already provided supply chain solutions for 3M in the areas of RFID compliance and data collection. The success of these projects influenced the MES selection. " ...


3M uses HighJump's MES manufacturing software to drive its lean supply chain ...

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Saturday, October 29, 2005

Six Sigma Performance: Military Contracts ...

Six Sigma performance levels are necessary for some firms to compete in the ecosystem for military contracts. Marion Davis explores the drivers behind the New England Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, a partnership that supports small and mid-sized businesses in the pursuit of military contracts. ...

Six Sigma Performance: Military Contracts: Via Providence Business News: Supply chain links firms to military

... "Profit margins for defense work are a lot smaller than in the commercial world, he said, so there's no room for inefficiencies. If a company isn't ready for prime time, it may be steered toward RIMES's Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma programs. We try really hard not to lead them into false hopes, he said. " ...

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Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Lean Manufacturing Pricing Power Drive Profits ...

Lean Manufacturing Pricing Power Drive Profits: Via Champion: Champion Enterprises Reports 43 Percent Increase in Net Income from Continuing Operations to $0.20 per Diluted Share ...

... "The third quarter was marked by continued progress toward attaining our goals of improved margins and modular growth, said William Griffiths, president and chief executive officer. Our lean manufacturing initiative is continuing to progress, and our pricing power remains strong in key markets. " ...

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Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Lean Six Sigma: Workplace Injury Rate Reduction Project

Xerox uses Lean Six Sigma methodology to identify additional opportunities to reduce their workplace injury rate ...

Lean Six Sigma: Workplace Injury Rate Reduction Project: Via Xerox: Xerox Tracks Progress Toward Sustainable Operations, Reports on Environment, Health and Safety Success: Waste-free products vision helps customers meet their environmental objectives ...

... "Xerox workplace injury rates are 54 percent lower than when the company's Zero Injury program began in 1997, yet they fell short of Xerox's goal of a 10 percent year-over-year reduction. The company has launched a Lean Six Sigma project to identify strategies to reach its goal. " ...


Xerox is committed to the protection of the environment and the health and safety of its employees, customers and neighbors. The company has received major environmental awards worldwide, and it has pioneered conservation and protective environmental policies well in advance of governmental regulations. As part of its legacy as a leader in corporate citizenship, Xerox recently joined the Business Roundtable's new "S.E.E. Change" initiative, which calls for corporations to adopt or strengthen business strategies that support sustainable growth.

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Monday, October 17, 2005

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.

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Monday, October 03, 2005

DFMA Design For Manufacture

Via American Society of Mechanical Engineers: DFMA to RP, ASAP

Mastering DFMA, or design for manufacturing and assembly, can accelerate time to market and lower the total life cycle costs of new products and their facilities. Here are background and references on DFMA ...

... "The concept of DFMA was developed in 1980 by Geoffrey Boothroyd and Peter Dewhurst, professors of industrial and manufacturing engineering at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. The following year, they founded Boothroyd Dewhurst Inc. to market proprietary DFMA packages. " ...


Via ACC: Acquisition Community Connection: Design for Manufacturing and Assembly ...

... "DFMA is a systematic analysis of the design of an assembly or subassembly to reduce product cost by simplifying its design, assembly, and manufacturing without impacting performance. The analysis allows you to determine the theoretical minimum number of parts that must be in the design for the product to function as required. As you identify and eliminate unnecessary parts, you eliminate unnecessary manufacturing and assembly costs. " ...


Via Army Logistics Management College: Smart Simple Design

... "The Smart Simple Design initiative encompasses two processes. The first step is using Design for Manufacture, Design for Assembly, and Design for Service (DFMAS) software in the early stages of the design process to achieve significant benefits from reducing costs and logistics support requirements. The second step of the Smart Simple Design initiative is assembling a design oversight and comparison process team to reduce the number of needed parts and standardize parts across different product lines. " ...


Via American Machinist: Technologies to reduce production costs ...

... "Companies can slash costs by improving the design process at its beginning. Design for manufacturing and assembly (DFMA) software includes a design-formanufacture module, with which engineers obtain early cost estimates on parts or products, and a design-for-assembly module, which they employ to determine the best methods to manufacture products. " ...


DFMA consists of complementary Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Manufacture (DFM) software. Engineers use DFA software to reduce the cost of a product by consolidating parts into elegant and multifunctional designs. DFM software then helps engineers quickly judge the cost of producing the individual components of the new design. Used together, DFM and DFA software give engineers an early cost profile of product designs, providing a basis for planning and decision making. When performed in the earliest stages of concept design, DFMA analysis has the potential to dramatically reduce manufacturing and other product life-cycle costs before they are locked in. DFMA software operates in MicrosoftÒ Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP.

Boothroyd Dewhurst, Inc., is a winner of the 1991 National Medal of Technology Award, presented by President George H. Bush. Other recipients of the award have included William Gates of Microsoft Corp. and Robert Galvin of Motorola Inc. Boothroyd Dewhurst is dedicated to continually developing the DFMA knowledge base through its integrated software programs, workshops, consulting services and international conferences. For more information, contact Boothroyd Dewhurst, Inc., 138 Main Street, Wakefield, R.I. 02879, USA. Tel.

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