Six Sigma Facility Flow

Bell Helicopter opens supply center in Canada that incorporates design features based on Six Sigma principles. ...

... "The layout of the new facility, combined with the incorporation of Six Sigma into our processes, has greatly improved our efficiency, and reduced the amount of floor space within which we function. " ...

Via Vertical Magazine: Calgary Supply Center

Six Sigma Freight Logistics Improvements Seen

The size of the opportunity to improve logistics cycle times is significant. Identification of critical variables using Six Sigma techniques and deployment of a new operating model for scheduling deliveries will bring improvement. Benefits are realized by optimizing the amount of vehicles waiting at any point in time, so that overall wait times are decreased. ...

... "Using a Six Sigma model to improve productivity and efficiency, the Rosehill project cut waiting times for scheduled trucks, and more than 75% of daily movements are now using the scheduling service. " ...

Via Transport & Logistics: Truck Logistics Improvement

Operational Efficiency Limits?

Will high-efficiency enterprises reach a point of diminishing returns when it comes to operational efficiency? ...

... "Logistics experts with a Six Sigma background may argue that point is never fully realizable, although a retailer (or any business) must know when to cut and run when the costs expended to save money cost more than the eventual money saved. " ...

Via BloggingStocks: Limits of Efficiency

Airbus Lean Productivity Increase Planned

Airbus expects lean program to pay productivity dividends. ...

... "a productivity increase of 16% by 2010 through use of Lean manufacturing; and a reduction in the supplier cost base and the number of logistics centres from 80 to eight through smart buying. " ...

Via Flight Global: Airbus

Toyota Recognizes Kaizen Suppliers

J.B. Hunt is recognized by Toyota as its Large Carrier of the Year for 2006. ...

... "In addition, Toyota scores each carrier on its ability to embrace and culturally implement Kaizen, Toyota's methodology for continuous improvement. J.B. Hunt has taken significant steps to eliminate waste from its own operations and further improve Toyota's supply chain processes by ensuring the production facilities receive the right amount of product at the right time. This is accomplished by utilizing a unique blend of intermodal and traditional truckload movements that provide Toyota with an on-time percentage greater than 99%. " ...

Via Toyota: Toyota Recognizes J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. with the Prestigious 2006 Large Carrier of the Year Award

Lean Logistics Services

Menlo Worldwide receives the Global Institute of Logistics' Award of Excellence for outstanding contribution to the development of Logistics Service Provision (LSP). ...

... "According to the Institute, Menlo was selected because of its success in applying the principles of Lean manufacturing to the LSP sector. After reviewing a considerable amount of data, the Institute was convinced that Menlo had developed an operating model and a best practice that provided an excellent benchmark for other LSPs to emulate. Additionally, Menlo significantly improved its customers' efficiency, service and overall supply-chain performance.

The Lean concept uses a company's employees to discover ways to remove waste from processes by drawing on the expertise and knowledge of people who perform the work. Employees are given a framework within which to work, and problem-solving tools enabling them to analyse work processes, identify wasteful and unnecessary practices and develop plans to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Essentially, Lean manufacturing methodologies applied in the supply chain allow for the continuous removal of cost from warehousing and logistics operations leading to improved financial returns for both the customer and the logistics provider. " ...

Via Menlo Worldwide: Menlo Worldwide Named Supplier of the Year by MAQUET, Inc.