Lean supply chain strategy impacts

Mother nature has a way of testing the resilience of supply chain strategies, especially lean and JIT inventory techniques. ...

... "The strategy of keeping inventories lean paid off for U.S. manufacturers during the recession. Just-in-time delivery of parts makes even more sense when budgets are tight. Now that a giant ash cloud from a volcano in Iceland is disrupting global air freight, some manufacturers are finding that this strategy is backfiring. " ...

Via Associated Press: Low inventory and volcano trip up US manufacturers

Goodrich Lean Supply Chain Optimizes Material Flow

Airgas supports Goodrich supply chain optimization strategy with strategic supply arrangement. ...

... "Goodrich is committed to lean manufacturing principles, and looks for supplier relationships that help us optimize the flow of materials to the operation in the most efficient manner. Airgas’ products and services are helping us move closer to this goal, said Dan Pleshko, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Goodrich Corporation ... " ...

http://bit.ly/aCOiEy

Dell Lean Supply Chain Limits Product Configuration

Dell has consolidated product development activities and global operations function under Jeff Clark. The company is reinventing how it goes to market with customers: he is focused on taking us to the next level of lean manufacturing, improving our logistics, supply chain and reducing complexity. We will limit the number of configuration choices where appropriate and move more of our products to a low touch, fixed configuration [ocean] ship model. http://bit.ly/agExMN

Lean Pharma Processes

The clinical value chain can benefit from the application of lean methods in the pharma industry. ...

... "With its prospect of rapid and easily realizable productivity improvements, it is Lean manufacturing that offers the most promise. Unlike Six Sigma, Lean does not require sophisticated statistical knowledge to be effective. Lean, when properly applied, focuses upon executing a process the best way possible ... " ...

Via Pharmaceutical Processing: Pharma Lean

Accelerated Lean Supply Chain

Furniture Brands experiences poor financial results in its latest quarter and will focus on leaning its supply chain using a number of levers. ...

... "Key elements of our supply chain initiatives include centralized purchasing of raw materials and supplies, accelerated implementation of Lean manufacturing practices, improved sales and operations planning, better management of third-party manufacturing through FBN Asia, outsourcing of domestic freight carriers for several brands, and consolidation of distribution centers. " ...

Via CNN Money: Furniture Brands International

Novartis Lean Pull Supply Chain

The value in the healthcare value chain has the customer in mind: the patient. An integrated strategy is needed to drive benefits for the patient while aligning leadership capabilities that support tangible financial value as well. AMR Research analysts present a model for healthcare value and identify exemplary performers in the industry, such as Novartis which is making strides in its supply chain with lean pull techniques. ...

... "Companies like Novartis are striving to develop demand-driven capabilities that allow the company to be driven by demand and downstream signals instead of a forecast. The company’s endeavor to become the Toyota of the pharmaceutical industry, using lean manufacturing principles, enhanced business process engineering, and a disciplined effort as enablers, is case in point. " ...

Via AMR Research: Healthcare Value Chain

Lean Supply Chain Sci Fi

Integrated supply chains increase operational efficiency, reduce working capital, and improve responsiveness to the customers and the marketplace. Or, do they? ...

... "a plant running fullspeed is flummoxed by three vendors whose hasty, independent decisions to slash inventory bring the downstream manufacturer to a screeching halt while the manufacturer's market is still robust. " ...

Via Tom Peters: Science Fiction

Lean Supply Chain Sorted and Straightened

Lean is not easy - in manufacturing or other business processes. But, it's results are achievable with the right level of committment. It can translate beyond the factory to the supply chain, where elimination of waste can scale across many inefficient processes that need sorting and straightening. Read on for some good insights on thinking beyond the plant boundaries. ...

... "It is admittedly easier to think about sortation and straightening in the context of manufacturing and warehousing than in the supply chain, but when you extend their definitions to include the development of good processes and procedures, their relevance becomes clear. " ...

Via DC Velocity: Supply Chain

Lean Supply Chain Leadership: Herman Miller

AMR Research analyst, Kevin O'Marah discusses leading companies that exhibit potential to make the Top25 Supply Chain list. Herman Miller was identified for its lean supply chain practices. Herman Miller, Inc., is a global provider of office furniture and services that create great places to work. The company's lead-time schedules are delivery promises, built on the reliability of its production and distribution systems. Its lead-time schedules range from quick-ship (10 days or less) to customer-requirements-specific lead times. ...

... "Herman Miller - A close relationship with Toyota Supplier Support Center created world-class, lean manufacturing processes, cutting lead times from eight to four or even two weeks. Its flexible business model includes real-time electronic collaboration with suppliers. " ...

Via AMR Research: Candidates for Supply Chain Top 25

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

Visteon Lean Supply Chain

The lean supply chain at Visteon and its automotive customers can be impacted by any workforce events. ...

... "Stoppages at Visteon could bring big headaches for British car plants. ... Lean manufacturing techniques mean carmakers rarely keep large stocks of components. " ...

Via Times UK: Visteon ...

Solectron Lean Supply Chain Delayed

Solectron Cisco delay lean supply chain implementation ...

... "Solectron Corporation delays implementation of a new supply chain management program with Cisco. The company said that it expects to implement the supply chain program in the coming quarters of its fiscal 2007. " ...

Via Solectron: Link

Lean Training: UTennessee Differentiates: Go Vols ...

University of Tennessee has differentiated itself from the pack with its strengths in lean manufacturing training. The Air Force and other companies have utilized their lean training services. ...

... "when the Air Force launched its plan to implement the tenets of Lean manufacturing throughout its operations, military officials contacted UT for help in establishing training programs. UT responded with a six-month Master Process Manager course " ...

Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive: University of Tennessee to Help U.S. Air Force Improve Operations ...

Manufacturing Leader: Lean Roll-Out Experience ...

American Woodmark appoints manufacturing leader with Lean Six Sigma implementation experience. ...

... "Dunston brings a broad range of experience in manufacturing and supply chain management to American Woodmark. He comes to American Woodmark from Diamond Innovations, a leading industrial supplier to the automotive, electronics and aerospace industries, where he was vice president, Global Operations. In this position, he was tasked to significantly reduce operating costs within China, Europe and the U.S. Prior to this, he worked as vice president of operations for BBA Fiberweb, a complex fabric and laminate manufacturing company. Here he instituted the roll-out of a continuous improvement program with training in both 6-Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. " ...

Via American Woodmark: Cary Dunston Named Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, American Woodmark

Manufacturing Excellence Keynote at Engineering Conference ...

Lean manufacturing expert will keynote upcoming engineering conference. ...

... "Izzy Galicia, Vice President of Client Services for The Corporation for Manufacturing Excellence (Manex) will keynote Collaborate 2006 being held October 10th – 12th in Huntsville, Alabama. The conference is hosted by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) in partnership with the Alabama Aerospace Industry Association and the Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association. Mr. Galicia and Manex are well known for their work helping enterprises transform their organizations through Lean Manufacturing. As part of a panel of industry leaders, Mr. Galicia and executives from Toyota, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman will kick off the event by sharing an industry perspective on innovative technology applications and processes, including Lean Manufacturing, supply chain integration, and workforce development. " ...

Via Manex: Shingo Award-Winning Lean Expert, Izzy Galicia, to Keynote SME Collaborate 2006 Conference ...

High-Tech Manufacturing: Lean Production Operations ...

Microsoft will focus on high-tech manufacturing focus areas and collaborate with partners and an advisory council to create lean production solutions. ...

... "The four solution areas, which include product life-cycle management, plant operations and lean manufacturing, supply chain visibility and collaboration, and sales and customer service, encompass both Microsoft platform technologies and partner solutions linked through industry standards. Microsoft built the solution areas based on feedback from industry leaders, partners and customers about the major pains facing the high-tech industry, particularly the need for improved collaboration between employees, customers and suppliers. " ...

Via Microsoft: Microsoft Tackles Global High-Tech Manufacturing Challenges, Previews Solution Areas at Inaugural Summit: Microsoft COO Kevin Turner keynotes forum of leading industry experts.

Manufacturing Software Support Lean Methods ...

Latest release of HighJump supply chain software supports lean manufacturing methods on the shop floor through touch-screen interface. ...

... "Manufacturing Execution: HighJump Manufacturing Advantage features a new, Web-based touch-screen user interface which has been optimized for the shop floor. This release also extends HighJump Manufacturing Advantage's material flow management to support lean manufacturing methods. By orchestrating the fluid movement of material through manufacturing processes, HighJump Manufacturing Advantage enables companies to meet tight production schedules without increasing inventory levels or adding labor. Material tracking and genealogy capabilities have also been enhanced to provide a greater level of inventory visibility and control of components and finished goods. " ...

Via HighJump Software: HighJump Software Extends Global Product Reach with Launch of HighJump Supply Chain Advantage Suite 9.0 ...

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 ...

Lockheed Martin Lean Six Sigma: Plant Recognized ...

Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant is ranked among best plants. The site have leveraged Lean Six Sigma to increase speed-to-market across its supply chain. ...

... "Through the implementation of Lean/Six Sigma principles, the average total production lead time on these complex systems has been reduced from 18 months to 12 months, from customer contract award to first delivery. This is significant considering the fact that lead time is driven not only by Lockheed Martin's internal processes, but also by domestic and foreign major subcontractors and suppliers, who produce critical components. Camden Operations' personnel worked closely with the supplier base to assure that manufacturing efficiencies were driven down to all levels of the supply chain. "

LOCKHEED MARTIN CAMDEN OPERATIONS NAMED ONE OF AMERICA'S TOP TEN BEST PLANTS BY INDUSTRYWEEK MAGAZINE ...

Business Process Improvement: Dell Six Sigma ...

Dell reengineers its Australian supply chain with its propriety method of Six Sigma for business process improvement. ...

... "Dell uses a re-engineering technique it calls BPI (Business Process Improvement), a combination of Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing. " ...

Via Ferret: Dell upgrades local supply chain

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

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

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

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

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

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

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

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

Six Sigma Continuous Improvement Rising ...

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

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

Via Supply & Demand Chain Executive:

Lean Transition at Cisco Continues ...

Cisco CFO discusses financials and mentions transition to lean manufacturing ...

... "Our inventory purchase commitments for Q4 were $2.0B, as compared with $1.7B for Q3, and $954M for Q4 of the prior fiscal year. The year-over-year increase reflects the inclusion of $295 million of purchase commitments for Scientific-Atlanta and the continuing transition to the lean manufacturing model. The rise in purchase commitments is also due to higher backlog on a year-over-year basis, and longer lead times in the broader supply chain. In response to longer lead times, we have increased our purchase commitments of certain component items for targeted, high-demand products such as the CRS-1, 12000 series routers, and Catalyst 6000 switches. " ...

Lean Transition at Cisco Continues: Via Cisco: CEO John Chambers and CFO Dennis Powell Discuss Cisco's Q4 and Year End Fiscal Year 2006 Performance ...

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 Practices: Enable Smith Wesson Operational Improvements ...

Smith & Wesson posts strong financial results boosted by operational improvements driven through lean manufacturing practices. ...

... "Operational Improvements: Golden added, We made notable operating improvements in our Springfield factory throughout the year in manufacturing processes, supply chain management, and lean manufacturing practices. In November 2005, improved efficiencies allowed us to return to a five-day work schedule in most of our machining operations, from the seven-day schedule we implemented in January 2005. This helped to reduce overtime expense and provides us with future capacity flexibility. Manufacturing efficiencies continued to improve throughout the fiscal year, helping to achieve the fourth quarter gross margin of 34.8%. We invested $15.6 million in the fiscal year to upgrade and purchase manufacturing equipment, geared primarily toward increasing pistol capacity and improving manufacturing processes. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Practices: Enable Smith Wesson Operational Improvements: Via Smith&Wesson: Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation Posts Record Annual Revenues ...

Lean: Agile Logistics Partner Network ...

Agile logistics is supported via a network of partners. ...

... "Since the term comes up frequently, note that agile logistics includes aspects of supply chain visibility, lean manufacturing, and collaboration among a complex network of partners. By doing this, production is improved and overall costs are minimized throughout the supply chain. " ...

Lean: Agile Logistics Partner Network: Via Defense Industry Daily: F-22 Raptor: FY 2006 Procurement & Events ...

VicePresident LeanManufacturing: Position Available ...

Get your resume updated .... Vice President position is available .... require lean manufacturing experience. ...

... "Solectron Corporation, a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, announced the resignation of executive vice president of worldwide operations Marc Onetto, who is leaving Solectron to pursue other interests. Mike Cannon, president and CEO of Solectron, will be assuming Onetto's role on an interim basis while a search is conducted for a replacement. Marc has led the transformation of Solectron's manufacturing operations with the implementation of lean manufacturing, commented Cannon. We will continue to aggressively implement lean across the company, and thank Marc for his many contributions. " ...

VicePresident LeanManufacturing: Position Available: Via Solectron: Solectron Announces Resignation of EVP of Operations: CEO Mike Cannon to Assume Interim Role ...

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 Principles: End-to-End ...

Lean principles impact end-to-end business processes across the supply chain ...

... "Pacific Scientific/EKD took the approach that lean manufacturing squeezes out non-essentials in space, material and time costs, and it squeezes out nonessential management time and effort. " ...

Lean Principles: End-to-End: Via The Manufacturer: Lean demand and supply ...

Lean ERP Software: Boeing Uses SSA ...

Boeing leverages SSA ERP to enable its lean manufacturing in the Commercial Airplanes unit. ...

... "SSA Global, a leading global provider of enterprise business software and services, announced that The Boeing Company has contracted with SSA Global to use products from the SSA ERP application suite as the enterprise resource planning solution for the Boeing Commercial Airplanes business unit. Under the five-year software and services renewal agreement signed in the first quarter of fiscal year 2006, SSA Global will continue to provide Enterprise Resource Planning software that supports Boeing's lean manufacturing and supply chain objectives. " ...

Lean ERP Software: Boeing Uses SSA: Via Boeing: Boeing Signs Multi-year Contract with SSA Global: SSA ERP products continue as core enterprise resource planning solution for Boeing Commercial Airplanes ...

Lean Manufacturing: SPC Statistical Process Control Software ...

InfinityQS launches eSPC, hosted SPC application that uses a shared, secure database to enable supply chain quality control in a lean manufacturing program. ...

... "Companies can now collect and analyze data across the enterprise—not only at separate locations, said Ralph Rio, Research Director, ARC Advisory Group. When supply chain elements are analyzed and the results shared in real time, business performance increases with a positive impact on the balance sheet, P&L statement and shareholder value. Ralph continued, Many company's continuous improvement programs, like Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, are stalled. They need software solutions, like hosted SPC, to take their program to the next level. eSPC is fully customizable for even the most complex manufacturing environments, similar to InfinityQS' other products. Its extensive reporting capabilities allow for hundreds of customized charts and graphs, both at the plant level and the enterprise level. Its Web-based platform is always-on, allowing users to re-configure the system as often as required without interrupting performance. eSPC allows for robust system performance levels—large graphic components are downloaded to each on-site desktop client, eliminating the need for data to reload each time the displays are updated. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: SPC Statistical Process Control Software: Via InfinityQS: InfinityQS Launches eSPC: Industry Leading Statistical Process Control (SPC) Software Delivered Via the Web For Enterprise-Wide Visibility and Supply Chain Quality Management ...

Goldratt Theory of Constraints: Lean Six Sigma Fundamental ...

Per Goldratt, Lean Six Sigma is fundamental to theory of constraints implementation. ...

... "Related, I asked Goldratt how TOC related to clearly similar concepts such as Lean and Six Sigma. His answer: In almost every implementation of the Theory of Constraints, we also force in the concepts of Lean and Six Sigma. The techniques themselves are beautiful. " ...

Goldratt Theory of Constraints: Lean Six Sigma Fundamental: Via Supply Chain Digest: Dr. Eli Goldratt - Unplugged Part 2

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 ...

Solectron LeanSixSigma Enables AS9100 Certification ...

Solectron leverages its Lean Six Sigma discipline to enable AS9100 quality certification ...

... "Solectron Corporation, a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, announced successful certification for Solectron FinePitch to AS9100 Rev B, the quality management system specific to the aerospace industry. AS9100 certification is a strategic milestone for Solectron showcasing our comprehensive quality management system that enables us to deliver world-class quality products and services to our customers, said Misha Rozenberg, senior vice president and chief quality officer, Solectron. Solectron Production System, or SPS, our proven and industry leading Lean Six Sigma methodology, facilitated the AS9100 certification. We are very proud to add aerospace quality assurance certification to our growing list of manufacturing quality compliance standards worldwide. First published in May 1997 by the SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) as AS9000, the AS standard is currently known as AS9100, Rev B, and is recognized by all major aerospace OEMs. " ...

Solectron LeanSixSigma Enables AS9100 Certification: Via Solectron: Solectron Announces Successful Aerospace Manufacturing Certification to AS9100 Rev B ...

Executive and Manager Overview: ISO 9001:2000/AS9100 Rev. B: "ISO Joe's Executive and Manager Overview: ISO 9001:2000/AS9100 Rev. B provides and expands uponthat foundational knowledge, and examines and compares today's commonly used quality programs and systems. "

Six Sigma: Cessna Success ...

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

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

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



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

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

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

Lean Manufacturing: 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. "

Lean Manufacturing: Software Enables Waste Reduction ...

Oracle software enables lean manufacturing transformation at Asia automotive parts manufacturer. ...

... "AAPICO Hitech Plc, an automotive parts company based in Thailand, implemented Oracle applications and technology to enable lean manufacturing operations, Oracle announced. AAPICO will soon be ready for fulfilling complex customer requests while reducing waste in its supply chain. AAPICO wanted to move towards a demand-driven supply chain to accommodate the just-in-time manufacturing schedules of its customers to reduce inventory and fulfillment times. The company, a progressive jig, die and automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts vendor with facilities in Thailand, Malaysia and China, supplies parts to all major car manufacturers in Thailand including Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Ford, Mazda and Nissan. AAPICO began its migration to lean manufacturing through a pilot program with the support of Auto Alliance Thailand and Toyota. The program brought about quick success, as AAPICO received Toyota's coveted TPS (Toyota Production System) Championship Award in 2004 and again in 2005. After the conclusion of the program, the company decided to implement an enterprise software system to provide the platform for lean manufacturing and integrate the network of facilities.

After a careful evaluation of several vendors' offerings, AAPICO chose Oracle to support lean manufacturing using Oracle Database and the Oracle E-Business Suite, specifically the Oracle Supply Chain Management (SCM) suite, which includes Oracle Discrete Manufacturing, Oracle Flow Manufacturing and Oracle Order Management applications. AAPICO also selected Deloitte Consulting LLP to lead consulting services and additional software from A-Host, a Certified Partner in the Oracle PartnerNetwork. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Software Enables Waste Reduction: Fastest-Growing Automotive Parts Company in Thailand Implements Oracle E-Business Suite to Enable Lean Manufacturing: Company Moves to Lean Manufacturing To Eliminate Waste and Reduce Risk in the Supply Chain for Thai, Malaysian and Chinese Facilities ...

Kaizen: Solectron Lean Sourcing ...

Lean eletronic manufacturer Solectron uses a centralized purchasing model for global strategic sourcing of its $9B annual spend on materials. It uses kaizen throughout the supply-side value chain to drive out waste. This kaizen approach to procurement benefits Solectron and the suppliers. ...

... "Waste not, want not. In fact, Solectron has already done more than 1,000 kaizen events with suppliers to identify areas of waste that can be eliminated in Solectron's or the supplier's business processes. Eliminating waste is a key part of Lean manufacturing. As Solectron moves to Lean, it plans to consolidate more business with fewer suppliers so it can tap into the expertise of suppliers. Commodity teams evaluate the performance of suppliers based on input from Solectron sites. " ...

Kaizen: Solectron Lean Sourcing: Via Purchasing: Lean drives Solectron's sourcing ...

Lean Manufacturing Process: Supply Chain Visibility ...

Matt Bolch explores the role of third-party logistics providers to help lean manufacturers manage their supply chain more efficiently. ...

... "With the continued push toward efficient manufacturing processes such as lean and six sigma, it's not enough to know that critical parts are on the way or have been shipped. You need to know where they are in the supply chain, whether they've cleared customs, whether they're sitting in a warehouse or if they're on the last leg in a journey to your loading dock or your customer. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Process: Supply Chain Visibility: Via The Manufacturer: Acting globally

LeanSixSigma: Collaborative Supply Chain ...

... "Mulligan believes Lean and Six Sigma to be an essential combination for making this collaboration work. " ...

LeanSixSigma: Collaborative Supply Chain: Via Manufacturing Business Technology: Solectron looks to reduce supply waste, build trust with Lean program (COLLABORATIVE SUPPLY CHAINS) ...

Boeing Lean: Supply Chain Integration ...

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

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

Via Chicago Tribune | BOEING'S BIG TEST: SUCCESS

Lean Manufacturing: Supply Chain Intelligence ...

Software company provides supply chain intelligence for lean manufacturers. ...

... "Open Ratings, the intelligence behind dozens of stable, high performing supply chains, introduces a major upgrade to its flagship solution for supply risk management, SBManager. With this latest version, Open Ratings delivers the most reliable and easy-to-use predictive indicator for ensuring stability in the supply base, critical for today's competitive and often lean manufacturing operations. Available later this month, SBManager 4.5 can significantly improve a company's ability to reduce risk in the supply base. The Web-based solution helps manufacturers escalate action quickly in advance of potential disruptions, with new levels of context for analyzing and understanding alerted changes in a supplier's stability rating. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Supply Chain Intelligence: Via Open Ratings: Open Ratings Launches SBManager 4.5; Advanced Features Speed Time to Action in Mitigating Supplier Risk ...

Kaizen Events: Multiple Tools Focus on Supply Chain ...

Deluxe Corp focuses on operational efficiency to remain competitive in its market. ...

... "The list of tools and methodology we employed reads like a lean manufacturing primer: kaizen events, just-in-time, work cells and pods, shorter make-ready times, and reduced spoilage. " ...

Kaizen Events: Multiple Tools Focus on Supply Chain: Via IndustryWeek : Keeping Up With The Times

Tag: Kaizen

Lean Manufacturing Global Supply Chain Presentation ...

Leggett & Platt will present lean manufacturing seminar at upcoming trade show. ...

... "Understanding the Global Supply Chain and Using Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing to Improve Your Business will be presented by Randall Wood, L&P's director of optimization-operations. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Global Supply Chain Presentation: Via Furniture|Today: Leggett plans Vegas trade show

Make-to-Order Model Through Lean Manufacturing ...

Manufacturer adopts lean model and transitions to a make-to-order supply chain. Marv Balousek explores the evolution of Research Products corp as it embraces lean manufacturing and eliminates root causes through failure-mode and effects-analysis, FMEA. ...

... "Research Products adopted a lean manufacturing model a few years ago inspired by Japanese manufacturers and now makes products to fulfill orders instead of to build inventory. " ...

Make-to-Order Model Through Lean Manufacturing: Via Wisconsin State Journal: Longtime Madison company gives customers . . . .A breath of fresh air ...



Supply Chain Systems Magazine Features: Manufacturing Adapts for Success: "Increasingly, manufacturers differentiate products late in the manufacturing cycle according to order, though most maintain a buffer stock inventory to deal effectively with business fluctuations. In a Make to Order (MTO) environment, the most critical success factors are visibility and sophisticated production scheduling ..."

Emerald FullText Article : The SHEN model for MTO SMEs: "This paper presents a new model developed for make-to-order (MTO) companies to aid in determining appropriate content for performance improvement programmes. The model has been developed using literature evidence and case-study data from six MTO small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). As well as being important aspects of the new model, some of the conclusions from the case-study evidence are important insights into best practice in MTO companies in their own right."

Medical Design Technology Online: "Early adopter of lean manufacturing in transition to make-to-order (MTO), which could not be supported with current technologies and processes"

Lean Manufacturing: Real-Time Information Drives Supply Chain Collaboration ...

Lean Manufacturing: Real-Time Information Drives Supply Chain Collaboration: Via Plexus Systems: Camaco Chooses Plexus Online From Plexus Systems

... "Camaco's advanced development and product engineering capability and its commitment to lean manufacturing provide its customers with quality products that meet price, timing and weight targets, said Rob Beatty, CEO of Plexus Systems. Plexus Online will enhance those abilities by providing Camaco with a single, state-of-the-art manufacturing information system that provides the real-time information to efficiently run its operations and collaborate with its supply chain in key areas. " ...

COO Brings Lean Six Sigma to the Job: France ...

COO Brings Lean Six Sigma to the Job: France: Via XL Generation: XL Generation Emerges Among the Leaders of the Playground Market, XL Turf Playground HIC 3 Selected by Decathlon Campus in France

... "Prior to joining XL Generation AG, Mr. Giguere was Vice-President, Navigation and Surgical Instruments Business Unit, of Orthosoft. From 2000 to 2003, he was General Manager of the supply chain and responsible for the strategic planning at Bell Canada. Mr. Giguere also worked during 14 years at Bombardier Aeronautics where he led several teams in the development and the implementation of strategic plans and lean manufacturing solutions, using Six Sigma and Kaizen approaches to enable improvements within the operations. He also coordinated the development phases of a new business jet with more than 20 worldwide partners. " ...

Aerospace Industry: Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chains ...

Company founder challenges aerospace companies to operate their logistics and supply chain processes like WalMart suppliers. ...

Aerospace Industry: Lean Manufacturing and Supply Chains: Via Flight International: Broken chain ...

... "That makes perfect sense as long as this lean manufacturing is matched by lean distribution. With the widget passing through half a dozen layers of the supply chain before it ends up on the end-user’s aircraft, it only needs one kink, one missed deadline, to stop the process in its tracks. " ...

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. " ...

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. " ...

Six Sigma Productivity Advancement: Dupont Actions Drive Value

Dupont leverages their Six Sigma heritage and SAP ERP information technology foundation to drive to new levels of value through the advancement of productivity. ...

Six Sigma Productivity Advancement: Dupont Actions Drive Value: Via DuPont: DuPont Announces Actions To Increase Shareholder Value ...

... "Productivity Advancement: DuPont will accelerate work already underway to standardize and simplify its operating processes and will reduce its functional support costs to externally-benchmarked top-quartile standards. This work will make full utilization of the investment in new state-of-the-art information technology for business and financial systems (SAP) implemented over the past five years. Building on its well-established Six Sigma base, the focus will include lean global supply chain practices to strengthen service, reduce costs and reduce inventory. Chief Operating Officer Richard Goodmanson will manage the process, with quarterly external progress reports. " ...

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. " ...

Lean Manufacturing: Manage Supply Risk

Lean manufacturers are exposed to supply risks and must implement mitigation to be able to sense and respond to supplier events.

Lean Manufacturing: Manage Supply Risk: Via Open Ratings: Open Ratings Defines Best Practices in Reducing Supply Risk: Lean Initiatives and Globalization Leave Many Manufacturers Exposed to Supplier Instability: 3 Keys Ensure that Operations Stay Up and Running ...

... "Manufacturers that have embraced lean manufacturing, supplier rationalization and global outsourcing initiatives have seen significant cost benefits in recent years, but even as efficiencies increase, there's growing awareness of the downside: a tightened supply chain increases dependencies on suppliers and reduces the ability to respond quickly to disruptions. " ...

Open Ratings Inc. helps companies make better, more profitable decisions with data fusion solutions that provide business performance insights. Its pattern recognition technology aggregates business data from inside and outside the enterprise, cleans and unifies this data, and applies proprietary analytics to deliver actionable intelligence on the performance, financial opportunities, and risks presented by trading partners. Its customers include many of the world's leaders in aerospace, automotive, and industrial equipment manufacturing. The machine learning technology behind Open Ratings' solutions is the result of cutting-edge research started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's world-renowned Media Labs.

Lean SixSigma: Supply Chain Management Position

Lean SixSigma: Supply Chain Management Position: Supply Chain Engineer ...

... "Bringing a focus of waste reduction, you will have knowledge and practical application of lean transformation (5S, TPM, VSM, Line Balance, etc) and/or Six Sigma methods. You will need to be flexible, as there may be extensive European travel involved. With excellent communications and inter-personal skills you will engage with people from senior management to shop floor, showing high standards you will identify opportunities to improve QCD performance and have the tenacity to capitalise on them. " ...

Six Sigma Manufacturing Quality: Design and Engineering Executive Appointed

Solectron's industry-leading Lean Six Sigma methodology (The Solectron Production System) provides competitive advantage for customers. Executive appointment, in design and engineering, sustains their leadership in Six Sigma manufacturing ...

Six Sigma Manufacturing Quality: Design and Engineering Executive Appointed: Via Solectron: Solectron Appoints New Senior Vice President of Design and Engineering ...

... "Solectron Corporation (NYSE:SLR), a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, today announced the appointment of Dr. Linda Capuano as the new senior vice president of design and engineering. As part of Solectron's never-ending mission to improve manufacturing quality, this new position was created to enhance the company's design and engineering offerings. " ...

Solectron Corporation provides a full range of global electronics manufacturing and supply-chain management services to the world's leading high-tech, automotive, industrial and medical device firms. Solectron's service offerings include new-product introduction, collaborative design and engineering, materials management, product manufacturing, and product warranty and repair, and end-of-life support. Based in Milpitas, Calif., Solectron operates in more than 20 countries on five continents and had sales from continuing operations of $10.4 billion in fiscal 2005.

Six Sigma Error Proofing: Manufacturing Software

Manufacturing software enables Lean Six Sigma performance by accelerating component flow through the supply chain ...

Six Sigma Error Proofing: Manufacturing Software: Via IGear Online: Cosma International Selects I/Gear Manufacturing Software ...

... "In automotive manufacturing, I/Gear software enables a wide range of MES applications by providing a foundation for moving data between dissimilar systems and technologies, and the ability to push and pull data to and from the plant floor. I/Gear's application infrastructure software products enable more efficient deployment and maintenance of a near infinite amount of applications to include lot and part traceability, error-proofing and quarantine, on-demand label printing, dynamic scheduling, sequencing, build-to-broadcast, escalating notification, and manufacturing intelligence. The software suite is a complete package as it provides raw data collection and transport, as well as the graphical user interface to view and manage information. " ...

Louisville, KY based I/Gear, Inc., a leader in integrated manufacturing solutions, enables lean and six-sigma manufacturing by enabling manufacturers to make only what the customer orders, without defects, and compress the time required to pull components through supply chains and down through production lines – giving manufacturers a significant advantage over the competition. In addition to Magna, customers include UPS, Accuride Corporation, Dana Corporation, Cooper Tires, International Paper, and Alcan. I/Gear, Inc. is privately held.

Lean Manufacturing: Operation Transformation UT

UT implements a lean enterprise transformation across its lines of business ...

Via InformationWeek: United Technologies Keeps Risks To A Minimum ...

... "United Technologies has been simplifying its supply chain. In January 2003, the company kicked off Operation Transformation, deploying lean-manufacturing techniques and building a lean enterprise across its supply base, factories, and business divisions, which include Carrier heating and cooling systems, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines ... " ...

Manufacturing Executive Position: Lean experience

Achievements in lean manufacturing and cultural change management are key to success in this manufacturing executive position ...

Via jobs.telegraph.co.uk: Manufacturing Executive Position: Lean experience ...

... "Candidates need to be experienced interim with a background of working for manufacturers who are in pursuit of world class status and can demonstrate in their CV their achievements in relation to lean manufacturing and supply chain best practice and can prove they are successful in implementing cultural change. " ...