Supply Chain Make Function: Manufacturing Operations

Nestle Lean Manufacturing Operations

Nestle is recognized with Processor of the Year for its operational excellence and shared values. The company has changed its manufacturing footprint and sees lean manufacturing as a foundation to continue its improvement journey. ...

... "There much more potential to do so in a way that supports Nestle's retrenched focus on lean and effective manufacturing operations. " ...

Via Food Processing: Nestle USA

Manufacturing Operations Management Software

CDC completes its acquisition of ActivePlant and positions the company in the manufacturing operations software space. ...

... "We are excited to acquire this innovative developer of manufacturing intelligence solutions which is an ideal fit with our CDC Factory product line, said Bruce Cameron, president of CDC Software. We expect this to be an accretive acquisition and fits within our strict valuation criteria. We believe Activplant will help CDC Software take a leadership role in the packaged MOM applications market. " ...

Via CDC Software: Acquisition Completed

Flexible e-KanBan Manufacturing Replenishment System

AeroScout collaborates with IMEC Technologies to implement a a wireless parts replenishment solution for Thermo King Corp. The system uses a WiFi-enabled Active RFID technology to create lean manufacturing and operational improvements at its manufacturing plant in Galway, Ireland. ...

... "Thermo King manufactures transport temperature control systems for trailers, truck bodies, shipboard and airborne containers, and buses and railway cars. The company has implemented a Wi-Fi parts replenishment solution – also known as an e-Kanban system – and integrated it into its internal manufacturing applications. The AeroScout solution uses standard Wi-Fi and leverages Thermo King’s existing Cisco Unified Wireless Network, which the staff also uses for data communications with laptops and handheld mobile computers. When additional parts are needed on the production line, workers at the facility use call buttons located on AeroScout’s Wi-Fi tags mounted next to parts containers throughout the facility. When the quantity in a container reaches a pre-determined level, workers simply press the corresponding call button to request more parts. The battery-powered tags transmit the request over the facility’s standard Wi-Fi network to AeroScout’s MobileView software. These requests are then processed by IMEC’s parts replenishment application, which initiates the appropriate materials replenishment steps. The solution requires no hard wires, is easy to deploy and enables flexible support of production line layout changes. " ...

Via AeroScout: Manufacturing Operations with Wireless Parts Replenishment Solution

Smart Asset Strategy

AMD discusses its product road-map and manufacturing operations model at a briefing with financial analysts. ...

... "AMD provided more details on what its manufacturing operations will look like once the spin-out of The Foundry Company is complete. For the Silicon on Insulator (SOI) and bulk manufacturing processes needed to build AMD CPUs and APUs, The Foundry Company plans to offer AMD 65nm, 45nm and 32nm manufacturing capabilities at: Fab 36 (Dresden), Fab 38 (Dresden), Fab 4x (Saratoga County, NY) " ...

Via AMD: Manufacturing technology strategy

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