Manufacturing Leadership Insights

Manufacturing Exports Grow in June

Electric Vehicle Factory Tour

Honda Manufacturing Methods Upgraded

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

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

Via Yahoo! News: Honda hybrid

Lean SixSigma Medical Manufacturing

Apriso will discus lean case study on April 17 event. ...

... "Apriso's Industry Director for Life Sciences, Rick Gallisa, will demonstrate how software can be an enabler to implementing sustainable Lean/Six Sigma programs including e-Kanban across highly complex manufacturing environments found within the Medical Device industry. Apriso FlexNet provides complete visibility, traceability and control over manufacturing operations, providing a foundation to implement cost effective compliance within Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives. " ...

Via Apriso: Lean and Six Sigma Event for Medical Device Manufacturers

Semiconductor Manufacturing Benefits from Kaizen Events

Semiconductor manufacturer uses kaizen methods to sustain its improvement efforts and keep its facility capable of serving the industry needs at a competitive cost. ...

... "Small groups of workers and managers have spent a week or more in meetings - coming up with dozens of small steps that lead to productivity improvements. The kaizen events are modeled after methods that Japanese companies have used for decades to make their manufacturing operations the world standard for efficiency. " ...

Via Austin Statesman: Aging fab

Lean Facility Design

New Atlanta manufacturing facility incorporates a lean design for streamlined workflow. ...

... "At 52,500 square feet, the site will accommodate solvent, water and paste manufacturing. The Lean Manufacturing design ensures an efficient workflow and maximized quality control. " ...

Via Graphics Art Online: Flint Group Invests $2 million in New Inks Facility

Plasma Manufacturing Process

Manufacturing process, plasma televisions ...

ERP Integration Supports Manufacturing Lot Traceability

Video case study of manufacturing integration ...

Lean Manufacturing is Music to their ears

Musical instrument manufacturing benefits from a dose of lean, as the workforce is educated on the principles and techniques. ...

... "But D'Addario's bigger plan to increase profitability lies in his Toyota-inspired lean manufacturing initiative. The company is putting 12 employees, who volunteered to become lean champions, through about 400 hours of training ... " ...

Via Newsday: Reinvention

Cost Reduction Program Yields Results

Standard Register implements cost reduction program to compete effectively in its industry. ...

... "Earlier this year, the Company consolidated its manufacturing and warehousing operations in a move expected to save approximately $5 million annually. Today's action eliminated approximately 250 positions, primarily in management and overhead, representing $22 million annually in compensation and related costs. Other new initiatives that target purchasing costs and other non-compensation expenditures are expected to lower costs by an additional $13 million annually. These actions, including the earlier restructuring, are expected to reduce second half 2007 costs by $15 million versus the levels incurred in the first six months of the year. The remaining balance of the $40 million in annual savings is expected next year. Separation costs associated with today's restructuring are estimated at $3.5 million, which will be recorded in the third quarter. " ...

Via Standard Register: Cost Reduction

Florida Lean Manufacturing Imperative

Manufacturing training offers opportunity for workers to challenge themselves. Workers that can think and embrace a quality mindset are positioned for success. ...

... "When Lumedyne implemented the Lean Manufacturing process, its production increased from five units per week to 15 units in three days, Rhoden said. " ...

Via St Petersburg Times: Manufacturing Training

Lean Methods Fuel Fervor For Continuous Improvement

Lean methodology enables manufacturing or service companies to improve the enterprise. ...

... "Kaizen, or lean improvement events, and, when facilitated properly, they can be powerful. Everyone involved feels a part of the success of the event and many thirst for more. " ...

Via Appleton Post-Crescent: Lean Methods

Manufacturing Software Provides Product Geneology

Wonderware's Equipment Operations Module has been upgraded to provide more powerful traceability and product geneology capabilities which can enable improved consistency of manufacturing operations. ...

... "Offering compatibility with the ISA-95 industry standard, version 2.0 includes enhanced genealogy functions for correlating events and information captured across multiple areas and process segments, leading to faster implementations and more comprehensive solutions. In addition, several usability enhancements have been made that enable customers to execute activities consistently and provide accurate visibility into the status of operations. " ...

Via Wonderware: Wonderware's Equipment Operations Module Version 2.0 Enables More Powerful Traceability Solutions