Kanban 2-Bin System Supports Visual Reordering

Kanban system coupled with mobile scanning devices makes for lean inventory and procurement replenishment process. ...

Lean Supply Chain: Inherent Risks

Lean manufacturing and kanban inventory pull creates higher risks in the supply-side of the supply chain. Understand your risks and prepare for events. ...

... "Meanwhile, lean manufacturing, globalization and supplier rationalization initiatives have dramatically increased companies' exposure to the risk of supplier instability, shrunk time-to-respond, and decreased visibility. " ...

Via line56: Link

Manufacturing Expansion: Lean Foundation

Scott Electronics expands manufacturing capacity ...

... "The equipment and employee expansion in Mexico will allow this lean facility to increase its production in the coax and POF (plastic optical fiber) business. " ...

Via ThomasNet: Scott Electronics Inc. Expands Manufacturing Capabilities in its Salem, N.H. and Nogales, Sonora Mexico Facility

Background on Scott Electronics: Scott Electronics provides quick turn with lead times from same day to 1 week for established production Kanban programs. Six Sigma and 5S implementation in all assembly cells.

Manufacturing Engineer Position: Understand Kaizen ...

Open position requires kaizen understanding ...

... "Requires a BS in Engineering and a minimum 5-9 years of experience in a manufacturing environment with heavy emphasis cost savings through improved processing. An understanding of Cellular Manufacturing, KanBan, Kaizen, Take time, Single Part Flow, Visual management, Poka-Yoke and 5's required. " ...

Via Spokesman Review: Link

Kanban WebSeminar ...

Upcoming seminar on Lean Kanban is planned for Oct 18, 2006 2:00 PM ET ...

... "A highly effective kanban system should be visual, intuitive and self-perpetuating. While many companies have implemented simple, effective kanban systems, the best kanban implementations go beyond simple, manual kanban techniques and utilize a fully integrated system that seamlessly integrates with the back office (ERP / MRP) system. " ...

Via Infor: Kanban: A Pillar of Lean

Manufacturing Software: Lean Integration ...

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

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

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

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.

Lean Manufacturing The Dell Front Office ...

Dell's lean manufacturing prowess finally shifts to the front office as it works to simplify its pricing model. ...

... "in dealing with Dell as a customer several years ago, I was dismayed that a company that is known for its lean manufacturing operations and direct-sales model had such Byzantine ordering and customer service processes. " ...

Lean Manufacturing The Dell Front Office: Via Motley Fool: Dell Switches Pistols ...

Dell pricing model announcement:

Via Dell: Dell To Simplify Pricing, Reduce Mail-In Rebate Offers: "Dell announced it will simplify its pricing structure and promotional offers, including reducing the number of mail-in rebates on products and services it sells to consumers and small businesses in the United States. The moves — part of the company’s efforts to make buying easier and improve the overall customer experience — will occur over 12 to 18 months, beginning in August with the reduction of mail-in rebates on InspironTM notebook computers and DellTM televisions. Dell will also reduce the frequency and complexity of promotions tied to the sale of DimensionTM desktop and Inspiron notebook computers, and other products such as televisions and services. Over time, the company projects a 70 percent reduction in the number of promotions per product line and about an 80 percent reduction in the number of promotions tied to a single product. "

Dell's implementation of lean allows it to be fast and adapt to changes in its marketplace, even though its supply chain model comes with some risks. Dell has shown success in dealing with the business cycles in its industry. ...

Via Fast Company: Living in Dell Time: "Fortunately, the same ethos of speed and flexibility that seems to put Dell at the mercy of disruptions also helps it deal with them. ... "

Via Quality Mag: Get Lean and Improve Quality: "Dell Computer Corp. uses lean manufacturing to build computers. For Dell, lean manufacturing has helped them weather an economic downturn ... "

Via Lean Blog: Once Again, Dell is Not TPS: "Their factories are great examples of flow, raw material comes in one side, finished product comes out the other, with minimal WIP in between. ... "

Lean Manufacturing: Printer Manufacturer Achieves Success ...

Z Corporation achieves industry recognition for its lean manufacturing implementation. ...

... "Dubbed the Nobel Prize of Manufacturing by BusinessWeek, the Shingo Prize is recognized as one of the premier manufacturing awards and recognition programs in North America for the practice of lean manufacturing, a process that eliminates waste wherever possible. Z Corp. is one of four 2006 Northeast Shingo Prize recipients. Z Corp. employs lean manufacturing tools and techniques such as single-piece flow, customer-driven production, standardized work, kanban systems, and a quality at the source approach to drive improvement efforts. Since 2003, Z Corp.'s lean manufacturing processes have enabled the company to increase factory output by 300 percent, employee productivity by more than 45 percent, and inventory turns by more than 50 percent while maintaining an on-time delivery rate of more than 95 percent.

Z Corp. practices lean manufacturing on multiple levels – first, through our internal achievements and second, by enabling our customers to streamline their own manufacturing cycles, said Mike Vogel, director of operations, Z Corporation. Our lean manufacturing commitment is an integral part of our commitment to helping companies bring better products more quickly to market. Bruce Hamilton, president of GBMP and administrator of the Northeast Shingo Prize, called Z Corp. a model for continuous improvement and world-class results. We congratulate the employees of Z Corp. for making the company a strong, world-class manufacturer in Massachusetts and on a job well done. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Printer Manufacturer Achieves Success: Via Z Corp: Z Corporation Recognized for Exemplary Lean Manufacturing Achievements ...

Lean Software: Visteon SAIC China JV ...

QAD software enables the lean manufacturing success of the Visteon SAIC joint venture in China. ...

... "QAD Inc., a leading provider of enterprise software solutions for global manufacturers, announced that Yanfeng Visteon Automotive Trim Systems LTD has deployed enterprise software applications from QAD to enable lean manufacturing operations and achieve exceptional inventory and manpower efficiencies. The implementation of QAD's Global Enterprise Edition. QAD GXE has enabled Yanfeng Visteon to gain dramatic reductions in material inventory, substantial reductions in stock space and enhanced data for logistical support and personnel savings. Yanfeng Visteon, a joint venture between SAIC Motor Corporation Limited, one of China's largest automotive manufacturers, and Visteon International Holdings Corporation, one of the world's preeminent automotive component manufacturers, is the leading supplier of spare parts for cars and trucks within China.

Like North American auto and truck manufacturers, the joint-venture company has been faced with the need to change its business processes to reduce inventory costs, enable higher productivity, and meet the requirements associated with sequencing assembly projects. The company's streamlining of operations using QAD provides cost as well as competitive benefits. QAD's software and expertise in lean systems has allowed Yanfeng Visteon to gain a critical advantage over other Chinese companies. Using QAD GXE, Yanfeng Visteon has cut materials inventory, reduced stock area, and cut logistics staff, enabling the company to achieve efficiencies that are unmatched by other enterprise solutions available today, as noted by company executives. Based on Toyota standards for lean manufacturing that are widely accepted by the automotive industry, QAD's Lean Manufacturing solution helps manufacturers effectively use Kanban systems to align inventory with demand for pull-based replenishment. It integrates electronic representation of Kanban processes with core ERP functions to provide comprehensive level loading, tracking and visibility of production, and supports electronic Kanban as well as physical card-based visual systems. " ...

Lean Software: Visteon SAIC China JV: Via QAD: Visteon-Shanghai Joint Venture Turns to QAD to Enable Lean Manufacturing ...

Lean Manufacturing ERP Selection Criteria ...

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

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

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

Lean Manufacturing Software: SAP Integration ...

Ultriva lean manufacturing software integrates with SAP through real-time connector. ...

... "Customers using SAP and Ultriva will be able to use Ultriva as their lean execution system while continuing to use SAP as their system of record for inventory and purchasing data. This approach allows customers to leverage their investments in SAP while substantially improving on-time delivery and reducing inventory through best-in-class lean manufacturing techniques. As material is consumed and Ultriva kanban cards are scanned, SAP will be updated in real-time with new purchase orders or purchase order receipts. This approach eliminates data entry and streamlines processes, allowing shop floor operators to focus on the factory floor while knowing that all of the necessary information is being provided to the SAP system. Ultriva's SAP Connector uses standard SAP BAPI (Business Application Program Interfaces) to ensure secure and reliable data sharing. The SAP Connector is an extension to Ultriva’s Integration Platform, which includes a toolset for rapidly creating or extending integration touch points while guaranteeing zero lost transactions. The Ultriva toolset now has the ability to dynamically import BAPI definitions, including tables, structures and rowsets dramatically reducing the time required to map to new or customized SAP integration touch points. This combination of flexibility and support for SAP BAPIs allows Ultriva to quickly deliver to SAP customers customized integration touch points which match their configuration of SAP. In addition to BAPI support, Ultriva’s Integration Platform ensures rapid, cost-effective integration with almost any IT system through bi-directional communication via SQL databases, XML, flat-file, EDI, terminal emulation and other custom API. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Software: SAP Integration: Via Ultriva: Ultriva Lean Manufacturing Software Announces Real-Time SAP Connector ...

Lean Manufacturing Software: Advanced Production Techniques ...

QAD lean manufacturing software enables techniques for advanced production. ...

... "VKI Technologies, based in Quebec, is deploying QAD MFG/PRO eB2 technology from California-based enterprise software provider QAD Inc., to support the company's lean manufacturing initiatives and related advanced production techniques. VKI Technologies produces coffee-brewing equipment for the North American market and licenses its patented technology to equipment manufacturers in Europe and Japan. According to Robert Primeau, director, Business Strategies and Customer Support, VKI is focused on eliminating parallel systems and expanding use of QAD software to ensure a consistent standard for enterprise operations – from finance to the factory floor and supply chain, and in the future, customer self-service. VKI's manufacturing facilities encompass several operational processes and just-in-time (JIT) techniques such as mix model assembly lines, point-of-use storage, cellular manufacturing in its sheet metal department and Kanban card-controlled production, all of which have increased the company's manufacturing flexibility and reduced its response time for specific customer orders. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Software: Advanced Production Techniques: Via QAD: VKI Technologies Brews Potential for Business Expansion with Enterprise Technology from QAD

Lean Sigma Blitz: Presentation at Manufacturing Conference ...

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

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

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

Lean Manufacturing: Microsoft Roadshow in Europe ...

Microsoft and partners sponsor manufacturing roadshow in Europe to share experiences, such as lean manufacturing and other methods of driving peak performance. ...

... "Microsoft EMEA announced the launch of the Peak Performance Road Show, a series of two-day conference exhibitions wholly focused on the manufacturing sector for CxO and line-of-business executives. The events will take place in cities across Europe between March and June 2006, starting in Munich, Germany, on 13 and 14 March.

Executive attendees will have the opportunity to hear presentations from industry experts, thought leaders and analysts. They will also have the chance to debate current industry issues with their peers and address the challenges that manufacturers from all industries are experiencing: how to reduce new-product development time while continuing to innovate; how to improve the performance of complex plant floor operations; how to obtain a real-time view of the global value chain and achieve lean manufacturing goals; and how to gain a complete view of sales and customer service channels. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Microsoft Roadshow in Europe: Via Microsoft: Microsoft and Team of Industry Leaders to Host European Manufacturing Road Show: Peak Performance events to bring industry experts and leading manufacturers together to learn from each other ...

Additional Microsoft resources on lean manufacturing ...

Via Microsoft: Automating Lean Manufacturing Process Design Using the Microsoft Office System: "A lean manufacturing process design solution can help organizations reduce lean manufacturing implementation costs, improve collaboration surrounding lean manufacturing implementation, and enhance progress tracking for lean improvement projects. Based on the Microsoft Office System, a lean manufacturing process design solution can be deployed quickly with minimal training costs. "

Via Microsoft: Manufacturers increase profits with Microsoft technology: "Employees at each level of the manufacturing process must have the information and tools they need to support lean manufacturing, and these tools must work together to integrate and enhance the planning, analysis, implementation, and reporting of the lean manufacturing cycle. "

Via eBECS: eBECS pioneer Lean Manufacturing suite for Microsoft Business Solutions – Axapta: "Lean Manufacturing. This is the ability to establish manufacturing cells where downstream triggers pull kanbans through the supply chain. Cells are loaded with orders from Lean ordering and other sources with extensive usage of visual techniques for execution.

Lean Supply Replenishment. While similar to Lean Manufacturing, this module provides functionality which extends electronic kanbans out to suppliers. Lean Supply Replenishment supports everything from simple email kanbans to email alerts for secure website schedule and call-off support. It also handles pulling materials from a central warehouse where the practicality of serving multiple points on a shopfloor makes that appropriate. Both also enable more sophisticated kanban triggers, like backflushing for materials consumption and monitoring bin weigh scales on production cells. "

Kanban: Software Enables Lean Flow ...

Glovia International, Fujitsu subsidiary, introduces additional Electronic Kanban (eKanban) functionality, that enable manufacturers to have greater control and flexibility over managing inventory levels as well as the ability to establish triggers to automatically replenish inventory when predefined minimums for each inventory level have been reached. ...

... "eKanban controls the flow of parts and inventory levels so that material is delivered to a location only when it is needed so that no excess inventory is created. This is an important step in lean manufacturing as it provides two of the greatest financial impacts, reducing inventory and shortages. eKanban takes this process one step further by extending the system beyond the four walls of a factory and allowing electronic communication with suppliers, customers and trading partners. By enabling the same auto triggers for additional material from outside sources as it would internally, inventory and shortages can be further reduced providing even greater financial savings. This means the trigger of a sales shipment or notification of customer consumption could generate a series of material pulls throughout the multi-levels of an items bill of materials. These series of material pulls end up with not only material moves being generated but also demands to manufacture and buy without the need to run MRP. This process is capable of reducing the lead time required to react to change and the amount of stock holding required in high volume responsive industries such as automotive. " ...

Kanban: Software Enables Lean Flow: Via Glovia : FUJITSU: Glovia Expands Electronic Kanban Functionality: Product Enhancements Provide Greater Control of Automatic Materials and Inventory Replenishment ...

Lean Manufacturing Supplier Replenishment

Lean manufacturing software improves supply replenishment. The solution unifies visibility for the provider and consumer in a digital portal. ...

... "Ultriva Inc., the world leader in lean manufacturing software, introduced a new product, Ultriva Supplier Replenishment, designed to help manufacturers digitally manage all forms of material replenishment with suppliers. The new product combines Ultriva’s market leading Electronic Kanban capabilities with new features that allow manufacturers to replenish material with purchase orders based on forecasts or production schedules.

Ultriva Supplier Replenishment provides both manufacturers and suppliers a single internet portal where they can view forecasts and kanban signals, release purchase orders, track orders and manage receipts. Ultriva Supplier Replenishment is designed to eliminate stock-outs and resulting expedited deliveries while reducing inventory levels by up to 75 percent – while streamlining processes and dramatically increasing buyer and planner productivity. Ultriva Supplier Replenishment addresses the critical need for manufacturers to manage both kanban and traditional forecast-based material replenishment within a single application environment. The product includes the ability to manage a wide variety of inventory replenishment methods, including: schedule-based replenishment, discrete POs, min/max, consignment and VMI (vendor-managed inventory) replenishment methods. With Ultriva Supplier Replenishment, manufacturers can drive replenishment from production schedules, publish forecasts to suppliers, and automate purchase order releases and receipts through a collaborative Internet portal. Ultriva Supplier Replenishment ensures a clear system of record for real orders for manufacturers faced with long lead-time materials and fluctuating production schedules. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Supplier Replenishment: Via Ultriva: Ultriva Releases New Supplier Replenishment Software for Lean Manufacturing ...

Lean Manufacturing: Chrysler Doing It Right ...

Lean manufacturing implementation at Chrysler Group positions it for success as its sister division must make hard choices. ...

... "New DaimlerChrysler AG CEO Dieter Zetsche defended job cuts at the company's Mercedes division, saying in an interview made available Saturday that the division could learn something about lean manufacturing from Chrysler Group. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Chrysler Doing It Right: Via The Charlotte Observer: Zetsche defends cuts, says Mercedes could learn from Chrysler

Additional resources on Chrysler lean manufacturing progress:

Lean Manufacturing, Kaizan, Kanban, Just In Time Articles: "Chrysler Group is moving up the rankings quickly, helped by a 9.5% improvement in engine productivity. Since 2001, the company has gained 19% in productivity across assembly, stamping and powertrain measures."

The Daimler-Chrysler Collision - Another merger in search of that elusive synergy By James Surowiecki: "And there is the hope that Chrysler's lean manufacturing style will help Daimler shake up a company that is still heavy with layers of middle management. Chrysler makes four times as many cars as Daimler with fewer than half the workers ... "

The Tale of a New Manufacturing Economy: "This adverse downturn was significant in another way. After years of denial, it drove many manufacturers, such as the US automotive industry, to become more productive by embracing the Toyota Production System (aka, lean manufacturing). After implementing lean, Chrysler raised its total productivity by over 7% last year ... "

Lean Manufacturing Software Vendor Rebrands ...

Lean manufacturing software vendor, with products such as a digital kanban, rebrands itself. ...

Lean Manufacturing Software Vendor Rebrands: Via Ultriva: Lean Manufacturing Software Leader eBots Becomes Ultriva: New Name, Products, Website, Expanded Management Team ...

... "The world leader in lean manufacturing software has a new name – Ultriva – and an expanded mission to take its products, which dramatically reduce manufacturing costs, to a growing market. The company formerly known as eBots, Inc., recently completed a $4 million round of Series A fi nancing and is now launching itself to a broader audience and expanding its product lineup. Ultriva Electronic Kanban, an enabler of consumption driven replenishment processes, eliminates stock-outs while reducing inventory levels. Ultriva Lean Scheduling complements Ultriva’s replenishment capabilities by optimizing production schedules in real-time around the customers want date. These solutions shorten cycle times, increase on-time delivery performance, reduce inventory levels and reduce the overall cost of manufacturing. " ...

Kanban Visual Record: Drive Manufacturing ...

Kanban Visual Record: Drive Manufacturing: Via Express Textile: Kanban - An Integrated JIT System ...

... "For many Japanese companies the heart of this process is the Kanban, a Japanese term for visual record, which directly or indirectly drives much of the manufacturing organisation. " ...

JIT Kanban Material Pull: Supply Trigger ...

JIT Kanban Material Pull: Supply Trigger: Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Rising to the Challenge of the Outsourced Supply Chain ...

... "By this time, SafeView had assembled its supply base, with seven key suppliers, mostly based in the U.S. Northwest so that they could do just-in-time and a Kanban material pull in conjunction with the Plexus production facility outside Boise. " ...

Kanban Signals Supplier Delivers ...

Kanban Signals Supplier Delivers: Via asahi: Point of View/ Kazuyoshi Abe: New frontiers for world's biggest automaker ...

... "In order to implement the system, the kanban method was devised. The method uses kanban, or signs, that tell suppliers to deliver parts to the production line as and when they are needed. " ...

Kanban System: Inventory Shift ...

Kanban System: Inventory Shift: Via IndustryWeek: Easing Into E-Kanban ...

... "The primary change is to shift a kanban system from inventory pulling to a repository-based system. " ...

Kanban Signals: Use in BPO Situation ...

Kanban Signals: Use in BPO Situation: Via Express Computer: We take SMEs to higher levels of competencies, assuring 5 times ROI ...

... "For instance, we had successfully introduced Kanban - signals using colour - to a BPO practice. " ...

Heijunka Scheduling for Lean Manufacturers

Factory Logic introduces heijunka scheduling in its latest manufacturing software release. ...

Heijunka Scheduling for Lean Manufacturers: Via Factory Logic: Factory Logic Announces Enhanced Release That Delivers Expanded Lean Production Management Capabilities; Integrated Production Leveling, Supermarket, and Supplier Kanban Tools Provide Powerful Solution for Demand-Driven Manufacturers

... "Factory Logic has taken the discipline and proven methodology of TPS and transformed it into an enabling technology to standardize and automate processes. The newest release provides dynamically enhanced capabilities for heijunka scheduling of pacemaker operations, significantly expanded capabilities for supermarket management, and improved capabilities for supplier kanban. " ...

Lean 5S: Visual Kanban Enables Fast Identification ...

Kaizen events deliver optimized floor space usage and increase production rates for Tru-Val Tubing. Visual kanbans and 5S enable fast identification of WIP and dynamic scheduling. ...

Lean 5S: Visual Kanban Enables Fast Identification: Via NIST: Tru-Val Tubing Company: MEP Providing Hands-On Help through the Michigan Manufacturing Extension Partnership ...

... "MMTC's Director of Lean Business Solutions, Robert Lyscas, worked with Dan to secure Economic Development Training Grant (EDJT) funds to assist with training. With its initial EDJT grant, the company sent management representatives to Lean Leadership Training. This allowed management to develop a clear and consistent methodology in its lean approach, and to build a strategic business improvement plan. Additional EDJT monies led to training internal lean champions, Six Sigma black belt training, ISO 14001 training and several kaizen events. " ...

Kaizen Event: 5S Implementation ...

Kaizen 5S process at Stevens Industries reduced cycle times, travel distance, and space requirements, while increasing the production capacity. ...

Kaizen Event: 5S Implementation: Via NIST: Stevens Industries International, Inc.: MEP Providing Hands-On Help through Florida Manufacturing Extension Partnership ...

... "Florida MEP worked with Stevens' management team in introducing the principles of lean manufacturing to key employees by presenting a TimeWise Lean 101 workshop thereby providing all team members with the knowledge and necessary tools to advance to the next stage of lean transformation. Stevens then moved on with a Computerized Process Model of their counter top shop in Fort Meyers to evaluate the process in their counter top facility. A value stream map was then created for the Cabinet Manufacturing line, which resulted in a Kaizen event and a 5S-implementation process. The Stevens' Lean Team implemented the basics of lean (5S's, standardized work, quality at the source, pull/kanban systems). " ...

Lean Manufacturing Seminar Series: California ...

EMS will provide lean manufacturing seminars in California starting in early 2006. ...

Lean Manufacturing Seminar Series: California: Via EMS Consulting: EMS Consulting Group Announces a Series of Lean Manufacturing Seminars and Workshops in Southern California

... "EMS Consulting Group, Inc. has announced a public Lean Manufacturing certificate program beginning in February 2006 in Orange County, CA. The program will assist manufacturers with the challenge of implementing lean and maintaining continuous improvements. It includes a series of eight course modules designed to provide participants with targeted managerial and technical competencies in lean manufacturing. Participants will learn how to apply the key techniques of lean manufacturing: Value Stream Mapping, Lean Production Control and Inventory Management, One-Piece Flow, Cellular Manufacturing, Material Flow and Kanban, Five S, and Kaizen Events and tools. Lean Certification also includes the completion of lean manufacturing projects at attendee companies to reinforce the classroom learning.

The program will take place at the Doubletree Club Hotel Orange County Airport in Santa Ana, CA in eight Thursday sessions. The dates are February 2, 23; March 9, 23; April 6, 20; and May 4, 18. The sessions will run from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Supply Chain Innovation ...

ERP software (Glovia) is compatible with lean manufacturing kanban systems for costing and material usage transactions. The ERP software synthesizes digitized business process and lean manufacturing processes with clear lean checkpoints for visibility on the shop floor. This support innovative business models in the supply chain, as the following recognition highlights ...

Lean Manufacturing: Supply Chain Innovation: Via Fujitsu Glovia: Supply Chain Systems Magazine Honors Glovia International With Supply Chain Innovator Award: Annual Award Recognizes Glovia's Success in Supporting OPW Fueling Component's Lean Manufacturing Initiatives ...

... "Glovia International, a subsidiary of Fujitsu and a leading provider of extended ERP solutions for engineer-to-order and high volume manufacturers, announced the company was selected as a recipient of Supply Chain Systems magazine's annual Supply Chain Innovator award. The award was given to Glovia for its success in supporting OPW Fueling Component's supply chain including their lean manufacturing initiatives. OPW has seen a 79 percent reduction in cycle time from when it first started to implement lean manufacturing. " ...

Electronic Kanban: Lean Manufacturing ...

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

Via Automation: e-Kanban: A Key to Lean

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

Lean Manufacturing Facility Design ...

Lean Manufacturing Facility Design: ModusLink Expands its Utah Operations ...

Facility design incorporates lean manufacturing techniques to achieve high-performance supply chain ...

... "The new facility adds 174,624 square feet of operational space and capacity to the current global footprint. Employing lean manufacturing techniques, the center was designed and equipped with highly skilled personnel, equipment, systems and business processes to implement the most efficient and cost effective supply chain solutions. " ...

ModusLink is a leading provider of global supply chain management solutions. The company provides global technology clients in the software, hardware, telecommunications and wireless markets with customized supply chain solutions that reduce risk and time to market and improve efficiency and productivity. ModusLink's services include demand planning, sourcing and procurement, manufacturing support, kitting and assembly, fulfillment, full-cycle logistics, systems integration and development, customer support and optimization consulting. Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, ModusLink maintains 37 facilities in 13 countries and employs 3,900 people worldwide. The company is a subsidiary of CMGI, Inc.

Additional resources on lean manufacturing facility designs:

Facilities In Lean Manufacturing Strategy: Lean Manufacturing is all about adding value and avoiding waste. Facility planning (land, buildings, equipment, furnishings) provides the physical capability to add value. ...

Items included in facilities design are plant location, building design, plant layout, and materials handling. The focus of this text is on designing lean manufacturing facilities. This means that all aspects of production should work together to eliminate waste.

Facilities Design for Lean: The lean facility design concentrates on adding value at each activity. This is done by creating one piece flow through cells dedicated to product families. Pull is created through kanban and visual systems. Quick setups are a necessity.

Kanban Toyota TPS Information Device ...

Kanban Toyota TPS Information Device: TMMK -|- Toyota Production System Terms

... "Toyota's use of Kanban, a unique information-carrying device ensures that every operation produces only the amount of parts that will actually be used in the next step of the production process. " ...