Lean Workforce Adapts to Business Conditions

In this blistering tough economy, lean-trained workers adjust to business conditions by shifting from waning companies and industries to more adaptive enterprises that value their lean mindset. ...

... "about 15 former Eagle Industries employees were trained in lean manufacturing techniques and subsequently hired by New Bedford Tactical Gear through a recent partnership with WIB. " ...

Via New England Business Bulletin: WIB

Lean Six Sigma for Production Improvements Leads to Best Factory Recognition for UK Lighting Firm

Thorn Lighting is recognized as Best Factory in the UK for its achievements in customer satisfaction and product quality. The company has embraced Lean Six Sigma on the factory floor and has made investments in its equipment and workforce. A key ingredient of their production success is designing material flow into the production process and factory layout. ...

... "The company also made good use of lean six sigma tools which involved production workers in the development of improvements which significantly increased the factory's productivity and delivery performance. The company has invested heavily in its staff's technical skills and equipment to keep ahead of competition. " ...

Via Works Management: Thorn Lighting Ltd

Lean Optimization Event

September 2 Lean event planned ...

... "Optimizing Your Investment In Lean: Presented by the Hudson Valley Technology Development Center Inc., The Council of Industry of Southeastern New York, and The Tappan Zee Chapter of APICS. Featured speaker Dr. Alan G. Robinson from the University of Massachusetts, Isenberg School of Management will be discussing strategic issues surrounding lean manufacturing and innovation. " ...

Via Poughkeepsie Journal: Business calendar

Battery Innovation to Spur Manufacturing Transformation

President Obama makes significant investment in the advancement of battery technology as a catalyst to transform the country's transportation to electric vehicles and accelerate the transition of the manufacturing base to new products. ...

... "The $2.4 billion is the single largest investment ever in advanced battery technology for hybrid and electric drive vehicles, and coupled with another $2.4 billion in cost share from the award winners, it will result in the creation of tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs that are much needed in places like Elkhart. Places like Elkhart have been hit particularly hard as manufacturing jobs have disappeared, but this new investment provides $39 million for Navistar to create or save hundreds of jobs in Elkhart. " ...

Via The White House: Spurring Innovation, Creating Jobs

China Manufacturing RFID Implementation

China is investing in RFID implementation in its manufacturing sector to bolster supply chain performance. ...

... "China is also making the world’s largest investment in installing RFID throughout its factories and supply chain in order to underpin the nation’s manufacturing. " ...

Via eWeek: RFID Orders Surging

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

The Lean Investment Pays Offs

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

Intel Manufacturing Investment

Intel will invest $7 billion to build advanced 32-nanometer manufacturing facilities in the United States over the next two years. ...

... "Intel's investment will be made at existing manufacturing sites in Oregon, Arizona and New Mexico and will support approximately 7,000 high-wage, high-skill jobs at those locations -- part of a total Intel workforce of more than 45,000 in the U.S. Intel, while generating more than 75 percent of its sales overseas, carries out roughly 75 percent of its semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S. At the same time, about 75 percent of the company's R&D spending and capital investments are also made in the U.S. The technology used in Intel's manufacturing process builds chip circuitry 32nm (32/billionth of a meter or about 1/millionth of an inch) across – incredibly small, atomic level structures. The first Intel processors to be built using this technology are codenamed Westmere and will initially be used in desktop and mobile mainstream systems. " ...

Via Intel: Intel Manufacturing Facilities

Lean Manufacturing Garners Investment Focus

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

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

Via Richmond Times-Dispatch: Recruiting Business

Georgia Lean Manufacturing Plant Investment

RITZ Instrument Transformers invests in new manufacturing facility in Hartwell, Georgia, where lean methods will be deployed. ...

... "The company has been able to grow and prosper by focusing on maintaining a very high quality standard, product innovation and cost-effective lean manufacturing. In addition to instrument transformers, the group also manufactures cast coil power transformers, resin insulated bus bar systems and specialty resin products. " ...

Via Access North Georgia: German manufacturer opens plant

Honda Manufacturing Methods Upgraded

Honda plans new hybrid car for 2009 and will revamp manufacturing facilities with new methods. ...

... "At its mid-year news conference, Honda also outlined plans to introduce new manufacturing methods at several Japanese factories to boost efficiency and lower costs. Honda said it plans to invest about 158 billion yen to make the improvements at two domestic factories, one for engines and the other for cars. " ...

Via Yahoo! News: Honda hybrid

Six Sigma Pilot Approved

County approves investment in Six Sigma improvement. ...

... "Erie County Control Board's finance committee making recommendations to approve $120,000 for a pilot version of the Six Sigma program. " ...

Via WBEN: Pilot Six Sigma Recommended

Lean Principles Set Foundation for Systems Investment

G-P mill sees investment building upon its investment in lean manufacturing foundation. ...

... "Wolff said earlier moves at the mill toward the Lean manufacturing process and modernizations in other parts of the facility paved the way for the $50 million investment in the new recycling system. " ...

Via Oshkosh Northwestern: Georgia-Pacific