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The Sixth Sigma: Achieve Breakthrough Performance Using Six Sigma

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Manufacturing Cell Design

Lean manufacturing training includes cell-design simulation ...

... "Wednesday's mock manufacturing cell hopefully demonstrated how companies can improve efficiency by getting production groups closer together and building to order instead of waiting on backlog to sell, Raubach said. " ...


Via Tulsa World: Lean Techniques

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Sunday, October 28, 2007

Lean Techniques Integrate With Maintenance Process

Coronado Naval Air Station, along with other fleet readiness centers, integrated lean manufacturing techniques into its maintenance process to streamline work and accelerate change. ...

Military implements lean techniques in its ship maintenance and repair operations

... "To achieve these goals, the FRC has implemented methods such as integrating its existing technologies to improve processes in certain production lines; setting up color-coded boards to keep track of which aircraft are in what maintenance cycle ... " ...


Via San Diego Business Journal: Fleet Readiness Center

Related:

Naval Base Coronado: "Mission Statement: To arm, repair, provision, service, and support the U.S. Pacific Fleet ... "

NAS North Island in Coronado, California


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Thursday, October 25, 2007

The Next Generation Factory Uses Lean Techniques to Shift Thinking

AMD's Dr. Douglas Grose sees lean techniques as a strategic imperative to streamline the Next Generation Factory (NGF). ...

AMD see lean techniques as critical for the success of next generation manufacturing

... "Building on its pioneering efforts in the adoption of Lean techniques and Automated Precision Manufacturing in semiconductor factories, AMD is joining with industry partners, including ISMI, to develop new tools and processes for further streamlining both front-end and back-end production. For example, current practice across the industry is to move wafers through the process steps in 25 wafer batches, but most of the tools can only process a few or even one wafer at a time, greatly increasing the amount of time it takes to process an entire 25 wafers, slowing the delivery to the customer and extending time-to-revenue for the manufacturer. Small Lot Manufacturing (SLM) and Single Wafer Tools (SWT) are proposed changes that would greatly improve manufacturing efficiency, but requires an industry-wide shift in thinking. Collaborating on addressing this issue and others magnifies the impact by distributing investments of time, talent and money across all the parties that ultimately benefit. " ...


Via AMD: Customer at Center of Chip Manufacturing


Related:

Rapid Prototyping, Tooling and Manufacturing: "A major break-through has been achieved in rapid manufacturing by moving from SLS to SLM. "

Rapid Manufacturing

NGMTI: "The purpose of the Next Generation Manufacturing Technology Initiative (NGMTI) is to accelerate the development and implementation of breakthrough manufacturing technologies ... "

Manufacturing - Next Generation Manufacturing: "This will require factories that can be quickly reconfigured to adapt to changing production and that can be operated by highly-motivated and skilled knowledge workers. "

Customer Centric Enterprise: "Solving the trade-off between customer centric manufacturing on the one hand (meaning high variety and fast responsiveness) and low costs, stable capacity utilization and high quality on the other necessitates incorporating systematic methodologies for manufacturing planning, process design and quality assurance in an integrated manner. "

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Monday, August 13, 2007

Lean Minimizes Capital for Automation

Lean principles are discussed to maximize the efficiency of complex manufacturing processes. ...

... "Lean techniques are also worthy of investigation because they eliminate large capital outlays for dedicated machinery until automation becomes absolutely necessary. " ...


Via Electronics Supply & Manufacturing: Principles of lean manufacturing

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Boeing Aircraft Lean Production System

Boeing starts manufacturing of key airplane components as it ramps up for aircraft assembly by mid-year. Lean techniques make up its repertoire of manufacturing improvements. ...

Boeing uses lean manufacturing to streamline its production

... "To create additional production capacity to build the 787 vertical fin, the Boeing factory implemented significant improvements, including a pulse moving line featuring right-sized tooling, determinant assembly and advanced technology drilling techniques. Lean manufacturing techniques are used to enhance the quality and efficiency of its production system. " ...


Via Aero-News Network: Boeing 787 Manufacturing

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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Microsoft Dynamics Lean Enterprise Solution

Microsoft will integrate lean techniques into its Dynamics software solution. ...

... "As a part of this new program, Microsoft announced Microsoft Dynamics Industry Solution for Lean Enterprises that will expand the core functionality of the Microsoft Dynamics AX solution. This expansion via a code acquisition from eBECS Ltd., a privately held company that delivers a complete lean enterprise solution, will enable customers to optimize processes and better connect and integrate the entire supply chain, from the customer to the supply partners, to support demand-driven operations. Microsoft Dynamics Industry Solution for Lean Enterprises will be available to customers as a separate module as part of the Advanced Management edition of Business Ready Licensing by the end of calendar year 2007, initially in English only. Microsoft plans to integrate the acquired code into the next release of Microsoft Dynamics AX and have it localized for all Microsoft Dynamics AX languages. " ...


Via Microsoft: Microsoft Dynamics Deepens Industry Investments: New acquisition, industry investments and ISV solutions certification reiterate balanced approach to delivering industry-relevant software.

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Army Modernization Lean Techniques For Helicopter Manufacturing

Chinook helicopter is manufactured with lean techniques for efficiency
Army Chinook modernization program uses lean manufacturing to eliminate waste and lower costs. ...

... "Throughout this process, the implementation of lean manufacturing processes on the factory floor and use of employee involvement teams have reduced manufacturing costs and improved production efficiency. " ...


Via Defense Industry Daily: US Army Chinooks Manufacturing ...

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Sunday, January 28, 2007

Lean Accounting Seminar

Timken lean accounting techniques are shared at local seminar
Timken leader will present lean accounting techniques at local seminar. ...

... "Tuesday, Feb 20: Michael Discenza, the operations controller for the Timken Co., will hold a Lean Accounting seminar at 5 p.m., at the New Hampshire Technical Institute at 320 Corporate Drive, Pease International Tradeport. As management accountants strive to evolve into full business partners, understanding how Lean and Six Sigma tools can improve your company's performance is critical to success. " ...


Via Portsmouth Herald: Link

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Monday, January 08, 2007

Lean Techniques: GE Transportation Rail Manufacturing Plants

GE uses lean manufacturing in the manufacture of locomotives
Pennsylvania and businesses invest in the improvement of manufacturing in the state. GE specifically is investing in lean manufacturing techniques to accelerate customer services and increase operational efficiency. ...

... "GE Transportation Systems plans to implement lean manufacturing techniques at its rail plants in Erie and Grove City, Mercer County, a project that is expected to cost $12.8 million. By applying this new operational strategy, the company expects to lower costs and shorten lead times to deliver orders and products. GE Transportation Systems has already fulfilled its commitment to the commonwealth to create 120 new jobs, is also retaining 4,486 existing jobs in Erie and 915 additional jobs at other Pennsylvania locations. The Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation (GEIDC) supported the company in its efforts to obtain the investment package from DCED that includes a $250,000 Opportunity Grant and $250,000 in Customized Job Training (CJT). GE Transportation Systems manufactures locomotives, off-highway vehicles and wind turbines." ...


Via PA Governor Ed Rendell: GOVERNOR RENDELL SAYS 3 MANUFACTURERS INVESTING $19 MILLION TO GROW NORTHWEST PA OPERATIONS, CREATE 385 NEW JOBS

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Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Lean Techniques DataCenter Ops

McKinsey research shows the adoption of lean techniques in data center operations. ...

... "survey of senior IT executives shows a growing interest in service-oriented architectures and lean data center operations." ...


Via McKinsey: CIO Survey ...

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Friday, December 22, 2006

Boat Building: Lean Manufacturing

Yacht building improved with lean manufacturing
Landamores increases its manufacturing productivity using lean techniques. ...

... "It has enabled us to systemise our manufacturing processes and shown us how to apply lean manufacturing techniques to our boat building. " ...


Via Manufacturing Talk: Yacht building productivity increases

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Thursday, December 21, 2006

Printing Machinery Lean Manufacturing

Printer uses lean manufacturing to compete in its markets
The Canterbury Press sees success in the print market through lean techniques that drive operational efficiency. The company also invests in new machinery and automation to enable it to compete effectively in the marketplace. ...

... "Canterbury was an early adopter of lean manufacturing practices to cut costs and speed production. The ROLAND 700 will help the company's employee-owners notch that advantage up further to make production even more efficient and timely. " ...


Via What They Think: Read

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Sunday, November 26, 2006

Visteon Lean Supply Chain

Visteon supply chain is based on lean manufacturing principles of minimal inventory
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 ...

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Thursday, November 23, 2006

LeanSixSigma: Danaher Business System

Accenture partner discusses the transformation that is achieved through Lean Six Sigma implementation. Sustaining high performance that translates into ongoing profitability is the goal. And, lean manufacturing principles become the enterprise's diet. ...

... "At the level of daily management, kaizen events employ a diverse range of operational efficiency tools – including Six Sigma and value-mapping techniques – to eliminate such sources of waste as excess inventory, waiting time, overproduction and quality defects. " ...


Via The Manufacturer: Link

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Monday, November 20, 2006

Continuous Improvement Project: Automation Complements

Automotive suppliers leverage automation and continuous improvement to remain competitive. ...

... "The Schrader story is an enlightening one demonstrating that, with investment in automation (brought about by a rigorous pursuit of lean manufacturing techniques and continual improvement), Western European manufacturers can compete ... " ...


Via ProcessingTalk: Link

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Monday, October 30, 2006

Supplier Contract: Lean Techniques Differentiate ...

McAvoy Group secures major contract through emphasis in quality and lean techniques ...

... "Our extensive investment in quality systems, digital technology and lean manufacturing techniques helped us secure this very substantial contract. " ...


Via Belfast Telegraph: Link

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Lean Value Chain Efficiency

Local manufacturers in mining industry use lean manufacturing techniques in their value chain to drive efficiencies. ...

Terex uses lean manufacturing techniques to drive efficiency gains ...

... "Lean manufacturing has done a lot for the company in two years, Raffaelli said. Assembly time for a telehandler has been cut roughly in half to 16 hours. Assembly line stations are down to five from 11. " ...


Via The Daily Mining Gazette: Terex Handlers implementing lean manufacturing ...

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Sunday, October 22, 2006

Lean Operations: Cut Production Waste ...

Electri-Cable Assemblies showcases their lean manufacturing techniques ...

ElectriCable uses lean manufacturing in its operations to eliminate waste ...

... "He said the company is now a lean operation, meaning it uses a core set of techniques to cut waste in all elements of production. " ...


Via The Connecticut Post: Shelton firm shows off streamlining ...

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Sunday, October 15, 2006

Advanced Materials Lean Manufacturing ...

Center will incubate development of advanced materials and lean manufacturing techniques. ...

Advanced materials center will support development and manufacturing ...

... "DC-AMT has been established to develop advanced materials and manufacturing processes, support high-tech tenants and nurture lean manufacturing and emerging technologies and products. " ...


Via netComposites: National Composite Center to Showcase Key Technologies ...

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Saturday, October 14, 2006

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

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Monday, October 02, 2006

Lean Process: Global Manufacturing Network

Dresser, Inc. relocates its valve manufacturing plant to a new facility in the strategically-located industrial area in Brazil. The new 56,000-square-foot facility began producing control valves and pressure relief valves recently using lean manufacturing techniques. ...

Dresser uses lean techniques in its manufacturing facilities in the global network

... "This new Dresser facility is one of a network of global manufacturing facilities dedicated to the manufacturing of Dresser's Masoneilan control valves and Consolidated pressure relief valves for the energy and process industries. The facility provides manufacturing, assembly, testing, distribution, service and repair capabilities using the lean manufacturing techniques and processes. It will be ISO 9000 registered and will also comply with all applicable ASME code requirements. " ...

Via Dresser, Inc.: Dresser, Inc. Relocates Brazilian Manufacturing Operations to New Facility ...

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Friday, September 29, 2006

Simplify Manufacturing Process with Lean Techniques ...

UK firm simplifies its processes with lean ...

Lean simplifies manufacturing processes

... "Among his first actions has been to bring in lean manufacturing techniques, which has simplified the manufacturing process. " ...

Via icWales: Saunders sets firm on road to recovery

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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 software serves the shop floor with lean techniques to drive efficiency through the supply chain ...

... "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 ...

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Thursday, September 14, 2006

Global Manufacturing Competition: Lean versus Labor ...

Tenneco plants in China and US are compared to illustrate the global competitive landscape in manufacturing ...

Tenneco muffler manufactured using lean quality techniques in the US and low wage labor in China ...

... "To boost productivity, Tenneco's Litchfield facility also tries to work smarter. It bristles with evidence of the latest efficiency techniques: Lean Production, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement. Workers take an active interest in reducing bottlenecks. " ...

Via CNN: A tale of two factories ...

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Lean Kaizen: Team Drives Improvements ...

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

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

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

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

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Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Plant Profits from Lean Manufacturing

Pulaski balances global competition and profitability with lean manufacturing implementation. ...

Lean principles support plant profitability ...

... "Pulaski imports much of its product, but still builds curios at a plant in Virginia. Earlier this year, the company initiated a series of lean-manufacturing techniques to make the plant more profitable. " ...

Via Kids Today: Pulaski, SLF merge ...

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Saturday, September 02, 2006

Company Sees Improvement from Lean Techniques ...

Electronics inspection firm sees improvement in operations from lean techniques ...

Lean manufacturing contributes to inspection company's success ...

... "We first focused on operational improvements to improve quality, on-time delivery, and lead times through the implementation of lean manufacturing principles." ...

Via Test & Measurement World: Lean techniques drive inspection firm's rebound ...

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India Manufacturing: Lean Efficient ...

India manufacturing companies show signs of lean efficiency. ...

India manufacturing implements Japanese lean techniques ...

... "The Confederation of Indian Industry, a national trade group, has also been highly successful in pushing companies to adopt the latest Japanese lean manufacturing techniques. " ...

Via Tuscaloosa News: A Younger India Is Flexing Its Industrial Brawn - Tuscaloosa

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Sunday, August 20, 2006

The Lean Metal Shop ...

Metal working business strategy includes lean manufacturing techniques ...

... "The best shops have and maintain business strategies that are designed to make them better. The management tools they use—whether they involve lean manufacturing, continuous improvement programs or Toyota management systems - are put into place to support those basic strategies, and those strategies are focused on one thing: cutting metal. " ...

Via American Machinist: How Do You Measure Up?

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Lean ShipBuilding: Toyota Techniques Translate ...

Shipbuilder transforms workforce through lean techniques from Toyota ...

Lean techniques are applied to the ship-building industry ...

... "Former Toyota engineers have been brought in to introduce lean manufacturing processes and to drive down the time taken to fit the 23,000 pipes per boat. " ...

Via Financial Times: Britain's submarines resurface ...

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Lean Grant: Employee Training Investment ...

Local firm receives investment for workforce training in lean techniques ...

Workforce training grant supports lean manufacturing ...

... "Industrial Machine and Engineering Co. in Monett was recently awarded $15,000 through the Missouri Customized Training Program to train 25 employees in quality management and lean manufacturing improvements, what company officials say is an investment in keeping and growing local jobs. " ...

Lean Grant: Employee Training Investment: Via The Joplin Globe: Monett firm gets training grant ...

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Lean Sucess: Cessna Growth ...

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

Cessna sees success with lean techniques ...

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

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

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Sunday, August 06, 2006

Jaguar Lean Revamp Drives Efficient Production ...

Jaguar Halewood manufacturing site has transformed its assembly lines to levels of efficiency that are the envy of Europe. ...

Jaguar auto production uses lean manufacturing techniques ...

... "Halewood has been producing cars since 1963 with the Ford Anglia. It stopped producing Ford brand products in mid-2000 and has been completely revamped using lean manufacturing principles for efficient production. " ...

Lean Revamp Efficient Production: Via The Observer: Merseyside on the edge as its drive to success is threatened ...

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Lean Factory Improvement Supports Strong Productivity Gains at GeneralCable ...

GeneralCable has a strong quarter, with contribution from its lean manufacturing techniques deployed at its factories. ...

... "The improvement in operating earnings was driven by increased factory utilization, and a significantly improved pricing environment across most of the Company's product lines and geographies, including a reduction in the time to recover raw material inflation. Also, strong productivity gains in several of the Company's North American manufacturing facilities, as well as factory improvements in Europe and Asia Pacific from the application of LEAN manufacturing techniques, have led to improved earnings. " ...

Lean Factory Improvement Supports Strong Productivity Gains at GeneralCable: Via General Cable: General Cable Reports Second Quarter Revenue and Earnings; EPS of $0.80 ...

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Monday, July 24, 2006

Sealy Lean Manufacturing Expansion ...

Sealy embraces lean manufacturing in its plant design ...
Sealy expands its manufacturing footprint in Pennsylvania, leveraging lean techniques in the design and operations. ...

... "Sealy will employ Lean Manufacturing techniques in the design and operation of the plant. Sealy has 25 other plants in North America, including a second components plant in Delano, about 30 miles south of Mountaintop. Sealy also operates a mattress assembly plant in Clarion, Pennsylvania." ...

Via Sealy Inc.: SEALY EXPANDS MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA WITH NEW WILKES-BARRE AREA FACILITY: New Facility Dedicated to Latex Foam Bedding Products Will Create 100 Jobs ...

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Sunday, July 16, 2006

Lean Manufacturing Change Necessary to Become Competitive ...

Rockwell Automation Power Systems manufacturing site in Tennessee uses lean techniques to enable it to become competitive in the global environment. The plant values its employees and the community in which it is located, even as it has had to transform itself to survive in the environment in which it competes. ...

Rockwell Automation leverages lean manufacturing techniques to remain competitive in the global environment ...

... "We had the quality and the customer service components. Now, we have the pricing we need. That's what lean manufacturing helped us to achieve, Case said. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Change Necessary to Become Competitive: Via The Rogersville Review, Tennesee: Rockwell Automation: Lean manufacturing gave this Rogersville company a competitive global advantage ...

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Monday, June 26, 2006

Lean Manufacturing Accelerates Product Development Programmes ...

Lean product design accelerates new development program ...
Princess Yachts leverages lean manufacturing techniques to accelerate the time to market of new development programmes. ...

... "David Pyle, Sales Director, comments, The implementation of lean manufacturing throughout our production facilities is achieving increased levels of productivity and further refined quality. With similar principles being applied to a number of new development programmes our outstanding design and development teams are given the opportunity to really deliver. An accelerated schedule to introduce a selection of exciting new models from concept over the next 18 months will expand and further strengthen our motor yacht range. " ...

Lean Manufacturing Accelerates Product Development Programmes: Via bymnews: Princess Yachts International to launch four models at Southampton Boat Show ...

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