Mobile Applications in Manufacturing

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

Lean Process Mobility for the Shop-Floor

Lean business processes integrated with mobility offer efficiencies on the shop floor for manufacturers. ...

... "While thousands of companies have used the tools of Lean such as Value Stream Mapping to re-engineer business process, rarely did those analyses well-consider the possibilities of mobile, connected workers. " ...

Via Supply Chain Digest: Mobility

Kanban 2-Bin System Supports Visual Reordering

Kanban system coupled with mobile scanning devices makes for lean inventory and procurement replenishment process. ...

Six Sigma Moto Legacy

Motorola has been able to integrate Six Sigma into its culture while accelerating its innovation engine. ...

... "the company's more lasting contribution to the world is something decidedly more wonkish: the quality-improvement process called Six Sigma. " ...

Via Business Week: Link

Six Sigma Zero Defects: Target Zero ...

Excellent interview explores committment to achieving Six Sigma defect levels. ...

... "An example of our commitment is that we have implemented a programme called Target Zero, which is a process of educating the workforce to continuously improve our internal philosophy and methods — with the aim of getting zero defects that affect our customer base. This is Six Sigma and beyond. " ...

Six Sigma Zero Defects: Target Zero: Rewarding quality: Via Mobile Europe

New Product Introduction Manufacturing Services ...

Solectron will provide new product introduction and manufacturing outsourcing services for broadband communications company. ...

... "Solectron Corporation (NYSE:SLR), a leading provider of electronics manufacturing and integrated supply chain services, and IPWireless, a leading developer of 3G standards-based mobile broadband technology, announced Solectron as the exclusive provider of outsourced new product introduction (NPI) and manufacturing services. Under the terms of the agreement, Solectron will be the exclusive provider of outsourced NPI services for new products introduced by IPWireless and will be the exclusive provider of outsourced manufacturing for IPWireless-supplied UMTS TD-CDMA mobile broadband equipment, including base stations and modems." ...

New Product Introduction Manufacturing Services: Via Solectron: IPWireless Signs Exclusive Agreement for Solectron's New Product Introduction, Manufacturing Services for 3G UMTS TD-CDMA Products; Agreement Also Streamlines Entry Into Mobile Broadband Market for OEMs and Operators ...

Tag: Manufacturing

SixSigma Quality Supplier: Belton Group ...

SixSigma Quality Supplier: Belton Group: Via Seagate: Seagate Technology News Release Seagate Technology Honors Supply Chain Excellence for 2005

Belton Group recognized a Six Sigma quality supplier by Seagate ...

... "The Belton Group, a leading manufacturer of Arm Coil Assembly and Hook-Up, was this year's Outstanding Supplier in the Mechanical Components category. In addition to delivering on aggressive volume requirements, Belton consistently outperformed its peers to meet Seagate's quality, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing and technology metrics. " ...

Seagate is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of hard disc drives, providing products for a wide-range of Enterprise, Desktop, Mobile Computing, and Consumer Electronics applications. Seagate's business model leverages technology leadership and world-class manufacturing to deliver industry-leading innovation and quality to its global customers, and to be the low cost producer in all markets in which it participates. The company is committed to providing award-winning products, customer support and reliability to meet the world's growing demand for information storage.

Trucks Smart Assets SixSigma Quality

Trucks Smart Assets SixSigma Quality: Delphi Begins Satellite Transceiver Production for GE VeriWise™ Asset Intelligence System: New DS300 telematics unit helps GE customers remotely monitor over-the-road trailers and other assets for safety, security and fleet utilization ...

... "We're pleased to support GE and Stellar as we begin production of the DS300, which leverages Delphi’s automotive capabilities into new applications, said Robert Schumacher, general director, Delphi Integrated Media Systems. The device has been designed to target automotive Six-Sigma quality levels, and we'll apply the same rigorous manufacturing standards to the DS300 that we use in our automotive technologies. GE's VeriWise™ Asset Intelligence System is a virtual brain, developed initially by GE for the trailer portion of an 18-wheeler big rig. Since 2003, it has helped shippers maintain reliable delivery of consumer goods, such as produce, clothing and electronics. ... Today however, trailers equipped with the GE VeriWise system are considered integrated smart assets that can report location, cargo status and other critical information back to customers. " ...

Stellar Satellite Communications designs and manufactures data communications products for use on the ORBCOMM satellite network for two-way messaging, tracking and monitoring applications. Equipment manufacturers and system integrators with global distribution rely on Stellar products to telemeter important data to their information systems and call centers. Its products are approved for use around the world, and are designed and field proven to withstand harsh environments common to many industrial applications.

ORBCOMM is a wireless telecommunications company that provides reliable, cost effective data communications services to customers around the world through its unique low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network and global ground infrastructure. A diverse customer base, including industry leaders General Electric, Caterpillar Inc., Volvo Group, XATA, and AirIQ, uses ORBCOMM services to track, monitor and control mobile and fixed assets including trucks, containers, marine vessels, locomotives, heavy machinery, pipelines, oil wells, utility meters and storage tanks anywhere in the world.

GE's Trailer Fleet Services business (formerly known as Transport International Pool, or TIP), is based in Wayne, Pa., and is a single-source provider for all aspects of trailer fleet management. For nearly 50 years it has been a recognized leader in over-the-road trailer solutions, which today includes everything from leasing, renting, financial services, insurance, maintenance, remarketing and asset tracking.

RFID Company Lean Manufacturing Value ...

RFID Company Lean Manufacturing Value: Wherenet: WHERENET SALUTED AS A HOT COMPANY BY START MAGAZINE FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR: Inbound Logistics and Supply & Demand Chain Executive Magazines Also Recognize WhereNet for Driving Innovation and a Strong Return on Investment for Global Customers Leveraging the Company’s Active RFID-Based Real-Time Locating System Technology ...

... "WhereNet stands out as a market leader because its active RFID technology has been commercially deployed and has delivered proven business value for more than five years, said John Buell, editor-in-chief of Start magazine. WhereNet's applications are transforming business processes and driving new lean manufacturing principles for leading manufacturers around the world. " ...

WhereNet is the first company to deliver a single wireless location and communication infrastructure that reliably and cost-effectively manages valuable mobile resources and delivers a complete return on investment within 6-12 months. Based on patented, standards-compliant technology resulting from a collective 100+ years of development, the WhereNet real-time solutions enable companies such as BMW, Ford Motor Company, and NYK Logistics to reduce inventory, lower operating costs, and improve operations. The company has received the Henry Ford Technology Award; was recognized for strong ROI by Computerworld; was ranked among the top 10 in the InfoWorld 100; and has been recognized as a wireless innovator by Forrester Research, Computerworld ROI, Frontline Solutions, Plant Engineering, and Supply Chain Systems magazines. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, with offices throughout the United States and Europe, WhereNet is funded by Crosspoint Venture Partners, Foundation Capital, Bay Partners, Crescendo Ventures, and Sun Microsystems.

Lean Manufacturing Effort Success Story ...

Parker Hannifin Announces Record Third Quarter Sales; Earnings From Continuing Operations of $1.18 Per Share ...

... "For the first nine months, cash flow from operations was $516.7 million, or 8.6 percent of sales. For the same period last year, cash flow from operations was $495.0 million, or 9.8 percent of sales. During the quarter, inventories were reduced by $48 million, which includes the effects of currency and acquisitions, and the company's ongoing lean manufacturing efforts. " ...

With annual sales approaching $8 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 48,000 people in 46 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 48 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

Six Sigma Quality Process Improvement Capability Drives SMB Business Service Market ...

Six Sigma Quality Process Improvement Capability Drives SMB Business Service Market: EDS and Proxima Technology Offer Innovative Products that Support the UK Government Small and Medium Enterprise Initiative - EDS Selected Centauri Business Service Manager™ to Provide Business Service Management to UK Clients ...

Proxima and EDS join forces to offer business services, built on a foundation of Six Sigma quality improvement, to small and medium size businesses ...

... By engaging Proxima Technology’s effort in our client contracts, Proxima Technology helps us enrich and differentiate our managed services through its automated reporting feature and its inherent Six Sigma quality process improvement capability,” said Catherine Cremoux, Director, UK Incubator Programme, EDS. “This further demonstrates EDS’ commitment to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in bringing innovation to large organisations.” ...

The EDS UK Incubator programme is an Information Communications and Technology (ICT) industry development initiative. Its aims are simple: to support SME UK ICT organisations to market their services and products throughout the EDS global network of clients and industries. The SMEs and their solutions are selected on the basis of their innovation and uniqueness; along with the potential for integration with EDS' service offerings.

Proxima Technology provides business service management (BSM) solutions that help organisations understand and improve the business value of IT services. The flagship product, Centauri Business Service Manager™ (Centauri) achieves alignment between IT and the business objectives, optimizes critical IT services to reduce costs, improves business efficiency and prioritizes management of resources. Proxima Technology is headquartered in Denver, CO, with sales offices across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Proxima Technology has more blue chip customer references than any other business service management vendor, they include: T-Mobile, Qualcomm, Carlson Companies, National City Corporation, EDS, Sun Microsystems, Mutual of Omaha, Abbey Bank among others.

Plant Floor Data Collection Enables Lean Manufacturing Practices ...

Plant Floor Data Collection Enables Lean Manufacturing Practices: Kaba Benzing America to Resell Epic Data's MPT9100 Data Collection ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... The MPT9100 offers users enhanced productivity and security and full support for lean manufacturing practices. Features include ...

... Epic Data International Inc. (TSX:EKD) announced today that it has entered into a reseller agreement for the MPT9100(TM) data collection workstation with Kaba Benzing America, Inc., the North American operating subsidiary of Kaba Holding AG (Swiss: KABN) and a leading global provider of time and attendance, access control and production data collection systems. ...

Located in Miramar, Florida, Kaba Benzing America, Inc., is a subsidiary of US$900 million Kaba Holding AG and a worldwide leader in time and labor management systems. From touch screen access and shop floor terminals to complex labor costing algorithms and reporting for SAP R/3 and other leading enterprise systems, Kaba Benzing offers an array of time and attendance and production data collection solutions. For 30 years Epic Data has been a leader in automatic identification and data collection solutions for the world's most progressive aerospace, automotive, high technology and industrial equipment & machinery manufacturers. We increase plant productivity and velocity while identifying the continuous improvement initiatives vital to winning in today's competitive manufacturing environments. Epic Data's enterprise mobility solutions for parking enforcement and route management increase productivity while improving customer service and worker safety by connecting mobile personnel to central offices in real time. People and technology make Epic Data a global leader in automated data collection solutions for the extended enterprise.

Additional resources on plant floor data collection and lean manufacturing ...

Lean Manufacturing Program Management: examine the Value Stream from order entry to release to the plant floor. ... Lean is in 35.7% of US plants (Industry Week survey) and, if you ... For more information. ...

Quality 101: Data Collection Serves: range for small and mid-sized plants and have ... Because of this, plant managers often find it cumbersome to ... are not a cure-all for factory floor problems and ...

Real-Time Manufacturing Applications Strategies For Reducing: File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat ... exposure, make lean manufacturing practices more effective ... Existent plant floor applications in automotive ... manufacturing control, data collection, warehousing ...

Six Sigma Dedication: LG Electronics Selects SavaJe Operating System for Next Generation ...

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Over the past year we have learned to appreciate the pervasive dedication to six-sigma quality and the innovative marketing thought that permeates LG. ...

... LG Electronics and SavaJe Technologies today announced a partnership to deliver SavaJe OS(TM), on a range of 2.5 and 3G handsets starting in 2005. Unlike other mobile operating systems, SavaJe OS offers a total Java(R) environment designed to provide operators, developers and their customers the richest, most innovative and most secure user experience available. More details will be available during the 3GSM World Congress this coming February in Cannes. ...

SavaJe Technologies is the developer of SavaJe OS, an open, standards-based operating system for mobile phones. Based on Sun Microsystems' Java technology, SavaJe OS offers Operators and OEMs a standardized platform, and an unmatched level of security. SavaJe OS provides Operators with the ability to fully customize the user experience while maintaining full applications compatibility across implementations. The scalability of the platform, which uniquely implements an advanced set of industry-standard Java APIs as its single applications platform, also offers significant benefits to OEMs and ODM handset manufacturers. Operator customization, systems integration and handset testing is simplified, and time to market is thereby reduced. SavaJe Technologies is a privately held company, funded by leading venture capital firms Vantage Point Venture Partners, Ridgewood Capital, RRE Ventures and New Venture Partners, as well as by the strategic investment arms of Vodafone, T-Mobile and Orange. SavaJe is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, and has European offices in Cambridge, UK.

LG Electronics, Inc. (CEO: S.S. Kim, 06657.KS) was established in 1958 as the pioneer in the Korean consumer electronics market. The company is a major global force in electronics and information and communications products with more than 64,000 employees working in 75 overseas subsidiaries and marketing units around the world. With annual total revenues of more than US US$29.9 billion (consolidated), LG Electronics comprises three main business companies: Digital Display & Media, Digital Appliance, and Telecommunication Equipment & Handset. The LG Telecommunication Equipment & Handset Company provides total solutions ranging from wired and wireless handsets to telecommunication equipment. The company is a leader in the innovation and development of cutting -edge technologies in next-generation wireless telecommunications and is steadily expanding its global market share in 3G (WCDMA / CDMA2000) wireless systems. LG Electronics' goal is to enable the intelligent networking of digital products that will make consumers' lives better than ever.

GE Healthcare Six Sigma Quality: Frost & Sullivan Recognizes GE Healthcare's Leadership in European ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... for transportation over long distances." Supporting the company's competitive advance have been special operating mechanisms such as Six Sigma measures, which ...

GE Six Sigma program pays off once again in the healthcare field ...

... Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, today announced that it has presented the 2004 Market Leadership Award in European mobile medical imaging equipment to GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE). In announcing the award, Frost & Sullivan commends the UK headquartered company for its outstanding marketing strategy and product capabilities, which have underlined its leadership of the mobile medical imaging arena. ...

GE Healthcare provides transformational medical technologies that are shaping a new age of patient care. GE Healthcare's expertise in medical imaging and information technologies, medical diagnostics, patient monitoring systems, disease research, drug discovery and biopharmaceuticals is dedicated to detecting disease earlier and tailoring treatment for individual patients. GE Healthcare offers a broad range of services to improve productivity in healthcare and enable healthcare providers to better diagnose, treat and manage patients with conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. GE Healthcare is a $14 billion unit of General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) that is headquartered in the United Kingdom. Worldwide, GE Healthcare employs more than 42,500 people committed to serving healthcare professionals and their patients in more than 100 countries.

GE Healthcare Technologies is an $11 billion business of GE Healthcare that provides a broad portfolio of medical imaging and information technologies, patient monitoring systems and healthcare services. GE Healthcare Bio-Sciences is a $3 billion business of GE Healthcare that provides medical diagnostics, drug discovery and protein separation systems. Our diagnostic imaging agents are used during medical scanning procedures to highlight organs, tissues and cells inside the human body, for the early detection, diagnosis and management of disease.

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company founded in 1961, partners with clients to create value through innovative growth strategies. The foundation of this partnership approach is our Growth Partnership Services platform, whereby we provide industry research, marketing strategies, consulting and training to our clients to help grow their business. A key benefit that Frost & Sullivan brings to its clients is a global perspective on a broad range of industries, markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. With a client list that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, as well as the investment community, Frost & Sullivan has evolved into one of the premier growth consulting companies in the world.

Lean Manufacturing Synergy: Parker Acquires Acadia Elastomers Corporation; Expands Sealing ...

From Yahoo News (press release) ... Together, both businesses will benefit from synergies in procurement, lean manufacturing, sales and marketing, and joint R&D capabilities. ...

Lean manufacturing principles, shared by merging companies, can set a foundation for future growth and enable a smooth transition to the future state high-performance company culture ...

... Parker Hannifin Corporation (NYSE: PH - News) today announced it has acquired Acadia Elastomers Corporation, a leading producer of sealing solutions, for an undisclosed amount. Acadia will become part of Parker's Seal Group and is expected to be accretive to earnings. ...

With annual sales of more than $7 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 48,000 people in 46 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 48 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

Six Sigma Career Path: Sypris Test & Measurement Hires National Quality Manager

From Business Wire (press release), CA ... Mullavey is a Six Sigma Black Belt and a Lean Manufacturing expert, who also is trained as an ISO-9000 Lead Auditor experienced in implementation of ISO 9000 ...

... Sypris Test & Measurement, a subsidiary of Sypris Solutions, Inc., today announced Fred Mullavey as National Quality Manager. Mullavey is a Six Sigma Black Belt and a Lean Manufacturing expert, who also is trained as an ISO-9000 Lead Auditor experienced in implementation of ISO 9000 Quality Systems. ...

Sypris Test and Measurement is a leading provider of on-site and mobile calibration services, testing and evaluation services, state-of-the-art magnetic measurement instruments, current sensors and hall generators. We also provide specialized programs for the aerospace, military and commercial electronics industries. ISO 9001:2000 Registered. Headquartered in Orlando, Fla., we operate a network of state-of-the-art laboratories strategically located throughout the United States, and numerous mobile calibration units.

Balanced Scorecard CPM: Proximus Selects Cognos for Enterprise-Wide Corporate Performance ...

From PR Newswire (press release) ... PoleStar also displays the Balanced Scorecard. -- Finally, it also links initiatives, actions, and objectives to the Strategic objectives of the company. ...

Corporate performance management is enabled through balanced scorecard software solutions ...

... Cognos (Nasdaq: COGN; TSX: CSN), the world leader in business intelligence (BI) and corporate performance management, today announced that Proximus, the leading Belgian mobile telephone operator, with its shareholder Belgacom, the leading supplier of global telecommunications solutions on the Belgian market and Vodafone, the largest mobile telecommunications network company in the world, has selected Cognos for its Corporate Performance Management initiative, called PoleStar (Proximus On Line Environment for Scorecarding, Tracking, Analysis & Reporting). ...

A subsidiary of Belgacom S.A. and of its partner Vodafone S.A., Belgacom Mobile S.A. has since its launch been outstanding as the leading mobile telephone operator in Belgium. On 31 December 2003, Proximus had 4,201,000 active customers* (1,759,000 subscribers and 2,442,000 prepaid customers). As the majority shareholder in Belgacom Mobile S.A, Belgacom S.A. is the leading supplier of global telecommunications solutions on the Belgian market. The world leader in the sector, the American-British group Vodafone holds 25% of the capital of the Belgacom Mobile S.A.

Cognos, the world leader in business intelligence and corporate performance management, delivers software that helps companies drive, monitor and understand corporate performance. Cognos delivers the next level of competitive advantage -- Corporate Performance Management (CPM) -- achieved through the strategic application of BI on an enterprise scale. Our integrated CPM solution helps customers drive performance through planning; monitor performance through scorecarding; and understand performance through business intelligence. Cognos serves more than 22,000 customers in over 135 countries. Cognos enterprise business intelligence solutions and services are also available from more than 3,000 worldwide partners and resellers.

Lean Manufacturing Strategy: Parker Hannifin Ranked #7 on List of Top 100 in Quality

From Yahoo News (press release) ... As an organization we've worked diligently to implement lean manufacturing strategies across the board," said Don Washkewicz, Parker Hannifin's President and ...

... Parker Hannifin (NYSE: PH - News), the Cleveland-based global supplier of motion and control systems and technologies, has been ranked number seven in Quality magazine's 'Top 100 in Quality' survey. The survey recognizes Parker as a top company that improves processes, empowers workers and satisfies customers through quality and process improvement initiatives. ...

Lean manufacturing strategy drives workforce performance and ultimately creates value for the customer...

With annual sales exceeding $7 billion, Parker Hannifin is the world's leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The company employs more than 48,000 people in 46 countries around the world. Parker has increased its annual dividends paid to shareholders for 48 consecutive years, among the top five longest-running dividend-increase records in the S&P 500 index.

Mobile Kaizen: Mobile Intelligence Tour Partners with HP Bazaar and Offers New ...

From Japan Corporate News (press release), Japan ... Mobile Economy is driven by the Mobile Kaizen management philosophy to add value for mobile users and industry players through continuous improvement. ...

... The Wireless Watch Japan Media Project and Mobile Economy GmbH, co-producers of the Mobile Intelligence Tour (MIT) to Tokyo, 3-8 October 2004, announced today that MIT and HP Bazaar will co-sponsor the HP Bazaar MobileMonday (MoMo) networking event in Tokyo, 4 October 2004, as part of the MIT tour program. ...

HP's Mobile E-Services Bazaar is a center for collaboration where the key players in the mobile ecosystem can work together. The bazaar is the hub of a global community of mobile applications developers. The HP Mobile E-Services Bazaar was launched in 1999 as a statement of HP's leadership in the communications industry, and in mobile e-services in particular. HP hardware and software platforms power the world's telecommunications networks as well as advanced services such as the intelligent network and short messaging. HP believes mobility is not about the accessing the Internet over mobile devices - it's about delivering useful services to people on the go. The bazaar is a resource for operators, service providers and enterprises to help them stay on top of developments in mobile technology.

Lean Manufacturing Success: Eaton plant wins manufacturing award

From Charlotte Business Journal, NC ... State University. The Shingo Prize recognizes lean manufacturing, a process that improves productivity by eliminating waste. The ...

... Eaton Corp.'s plant in Kings Mountain has received the first N.C. Shingo Prize for excellence in manufacturing. ...

Eaton Corporation is a diversified industrial manufacturer with 2003 sales of $8.1 billion. Eaton is a global leader in fluid power systems and services for industrial, mobile and aircraft equipment; electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution and control; automotive engine air management systems, powertrain solutions and specialty controls for performance, fuel economy and safety; and intelligent truck drivetrain systems for safety and fuel economy. Eaton has 55,000 employees and sells products to customers in more than 100 countries. Once characterized as a vehicle component supplier, Eaton's business base has undergone a significant transformation. Today, the company classifies its business into four distinct segments, which are, by size: Fluid Power, Electrical, Automotive and Truck.

Six Sigma Success: Telstra’s record profit amidst cost cutting plan

From iT News, Australia ... Last year majority government-owned Telstra announced it was undertaking the Six Sigma process improvement program in order to reduce costs by $800 million by ...

... Telstra reports record profit largely due to cost cutting, as the telco strive to boost sales growth. Australia's biggest telecommunications company has announced its highest ever full-year net profit, of $4.12 billion. ...

Telstra is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company, with one of the best known brands in the country. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia, providing more than 10.3 million Australian fixed line and more than 6.5 million mobile services. Telstra's international business includes Hong Kong CSL Limited, one of Hong Kong's leading mobile operators; TelstraClear Limited, the second largest full service carrier in New Zealand and Reach Ltd (REACH), one of the leading wholesale providers of combined voice, data and internet connectivity services in the Asia-Pacific region.

Agile Lean Manufacturing: BECOMING LEAN AND AGILE WITH ADC AND REAL-TIME TECHNOLOGIES...

From Intermec ...The widespread movement to lean and agile manufacturing is pulling many companies into unfamiliar territory. Customers and competition are forcing manufacturers to produce their products with less waste, inventory, personnel and resources, while simultaneously giving customers more product and configuration options, all on shorter lead times with more delivery flexibility. There are other strong signals that customers are exerting more control over their suppliers. More than half of manufacturing companies are encouraging their suppliers to implement lean manufacturing techniques, and 58 percent are specifically requesting just-in-time production, according to a 2003 study by ARC Research and Microsoft.

As customers asserting their control over terms and relationships and competition forces improve efficiency, companies must respond by gaining more control over their own processes, materials and suppliers. The techniques and processes for accomplishing these goals are often grouped together under the term “lean and agile manufacturing.” However, “lean” and “agile” are not the same. Improving business processes in response to customer or internal initiatives would be much easier if the goal was to become more lean or agile, but unfortunately such a choice is not an option.

Lean manufacturing essentially says to do more with less. Agile is often doing more for the same – for example giving more configuration and delivery options for the same price. The important differences between lean and agile can cause conflicts in how processes are established and resources are managed...

Intermec, a UNOVA Inc. (NYSE:UNA) company, is a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag® RFID (radio frequency identification) and mobile computing systems. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries to improve productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations, from field sales and service to supply chain management and enterprise resource planning.

GIG Six Sigma Enterprise Architecture: Pentagon Devises Innovative IT Strategy

From ComputerWorld ... The central capability of the GIG will be to deliver Six Sigma-quality secure messaging, collaboration, services management, content assurance, knowledge ...

The Global Information Grid is the globally interconnected, end-to-end set of information capabilities, associated processes, and personnel for collecting, processing, storing, disseminating, and managing information on demand to warfighters, policy makers, and support personnel. The GIG includes all owned and leased communications and computing systems and services, software (including applications), data, security services, and other associated services necessary to achieve Information Superiority. It also include National Security Systems as defined in section 5142 of the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996. The GIG supports all Department of Defense, National Security, and related Intelligence Community missions and functions (strategic, operational, tactical, and business), in war and in peace. The GIG provides capabilities from all operating locations (bases, posts, camps, stations, facilities, mobile platforms, and deployed sites). The GIG provides interfaces to coalition, allied, and non-DoD users and systems.

Global Information Grid (GIG) Enterprise Services (ES), a suite of value-added information, web, and computing capabilities that will improve user access to mission-critical data. GIG ES will provide access—anytime, anywhere—to reliable decision-quality information through the use of cutting-edge, web-based, networked services. The GIG ES will improve the decision-making ability of warfighters and business people by transforming the way they receive information. Information producers will post information and advertise its availability. End users will pull mission-tailored information quickly and precisely from anywhere within the network. GIG ES will provide power to the edge, providing information from the command center to the warfighter, from the producer to the consumer, in record time. The main benefit is an improved speed and quality of information with which to make decisions.

Lean Enterprise Success: Delphi Facility Named One of Europe's Best Plants

From PR Newswire (press release) ... based customer focus. Lean enterprise tools have resulted in numerous process and product improvements," Andrews said. "In terms ...

Delphi created its Delphi Manufacturing System (DMS) in 1996 as its approach to lean implementation across all of its operations. DMS was modeled after the principles of the Toyota Production System and is a common, lean process containing six specific, but interdependent, elements aimed at the elimination of waste and a resulting improvement of product flow.

Delphi is a world leader in mobile electronics and transportation components and systems technology. Multi-national Delphi conducts its business operations through various subsidiaries and has headquarters in Troy, Mich., USA, Paris, Tokyo and São Paulo, Brazil. Delphi's two business sectors – Dynamics, Propulsion, Thermal & Interior Sector and Electrical, Electronic &, Safety Sector - provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has approximately 186,000 employees and operates 172 wholly owned manufacturing sites, 42 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 34 technical centers in 41 countries.

Lean Manufacturing: Trade, Terrorism discussed at candidates forum

From San Jose Mercury News, CA ... So anyone who is promising to bring back manufacturing jobs doesn't understand lean manufacturing continues quality improvement.". ...

...2004 Recipients of the 2004 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Dubbed the "Nobel prize of Manufacturing" by Business Week, the Shingo Prize is increasingly being recognized as the premier manufacturing award and recognition program in North America. Nine state-level awards and a public-sector category, primarily for Military Depots doing re-manufacturing, have been implemented in recent months.

Three notable achievements of the 2004 recipients include: one, 7 of the 12 achieved product quality of less than 10 "returned parts per million opportunities" from the customer; two, 7 of the 12 have inventory turns of more than 25 per year (compared to a U.S. average of 8); and three, premium freight as a percent of production costs averaged 0.12 percent. These data cover the full-year of 2003 and are all clear indicators of world-class manufacturing achievements.

"Once again the recipients of the Shingo Prize demonstrate that they are prepared to weather economic uncertainty by not wasting precious manufacturing and business resources, "said Ross Robson, Shingo Prize executive director. "Shingo Prize recipients and lean manufacturers clearly stand out among the manufacturers of North America in terms of quality, cost, delivery and business results."

This year's Shingo Prize Recipients are:

ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Systems Gladstone plant, Columbus, Ind. -- This facility proudly manufactures complete exhaust systems and components for today's leading car manufacturers. Through an engaged workforce of more than 700 people who are trained in lean principles, team building and employee involvement practices, substantial quality and productivity improvements have been made. Most notably, those improvements have included a decrease in customer PPMs of 72 percent since 2000, a decrease in supplier PPMs of 99 percent since 2000, a 54-percent decrease in the cost of non-quality since 2000, and an on-time delivery average of 99.9 percent since 1999.

Delphi Corporation, Delphi Electronics and Safety, Delnosa 5 & 6 Operations, Reynosa, Mexico -- Delnosa 5 & 6 manufactures over 24,000 vehicle electronics products daily for 72 customer locations in 11 countries for Delphi Corporation (NYSE: DPH - News). Delnosa's product line includes Audio, Mobile Multimedia, Telematics (interactive satellite technology), Navigation Radios, and Antenna Electronics. Delnosa also produces over 16 million molded and decorated plastic parts and assemblies each month that are used in Delphi facilities globally. In the last three years, Delnosa has increased productivity by 41%, increased inventory turns by 70%, improved first time quality by 76%, and increased asset utilization by 40%. Delnosa's 2,500 employees reached 200% participation in the employee suggestion program in 2003 and have currently worked over 22 million hours without a lost workday accident.

Delphi Electronics & Safety, Kokomo Operations, Plants 7 & 9, Kokomo, Indiana -- Kokomo Operations, Plants 7 & 9 is a vehicle electronics manufacturing facility employing over 1,100 people. These employees, represented by UAW Local 292, produce approximately 12 million units annually across four major product lines: audio components, power train controllers, inflatable restraint system electronics and electronic climate controllers. Applying the lean manufacturing concepts in the Delphi Manufacturing System, the facility has been able to achieve a third straight year of double-digit manufacturing performance, a 24% reduction in inventory, a 51% improvement in first time quality and has reached an annual shipping compliance rate approaching 100%.

Delphi Corporation, Energy & Chassis Systems, Empresas Ca-Le de Tlaxcala, Mexico -- Ca-Le is a battery manufacturing plant of 1,291,669 square feet, founded in February 1990 and located in Tetla, Tlaxcala, Mexico. Operating in a world-wide market, CALE produces two different automotive battery technologies: Hybrid (Antimony -- Calcium) and Maintenance-Free (Calcium-Calcium). Our productive headcount of 575 persons -- through the implementation of lean concepts and techniques -- work daily on EXCEEDING OUR CUSTOMERS' EXPECTATIONS. Our business results, customer satisfaction and quality of our products reflect our commitment with our employees, society and stakeholders.

Delphi Sistemas de Energia S.A. de C.V., Plt. 57; Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico -- Located in Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico since 1986 and serving 55 customers in 12 countries, Delphi Sistemas de Energia is a top of the line manufacturing organization. Here the combination of people who love their jobs, together with strong leadership, applying continuous learning and lean concepts, along with variation reduction, and defect prevention methods, have all contributed to superior satisfaction levels for customers, stakeholders and employees, creating a positive impact to the community and to the global environment.

Delphi Corporation, Packard Electric Systems. Plant 50, Del Parral Chihuahua, Mexico

Delphi's Packard Electric facility opened in February of 1998 in Hidalgo del Parral (more commonly referred to as Parral) in the southern part of Chihuahua, Mexico. The plant has 141,575 square feet of manufacturing floor space and 2,200 employees. These dedicated employees manufacture 13 families of products in 18 production lines, for 10 different General Motors assembly plants. The Parral plant produces power and signal distribution systems for the automotive industry, more commonly known as wiring harnesses. The motto at this facility is "Our people make the difference." Managers and supervisors say empowering employees and giving them opportunities make things happen. The success of this Delphi facility is attributed to its people.

Delphi Corporation, Packard Electric Systems. Plant 58, Meoqui, Chih. Mexico

The Meoqui Plant is located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico and has been a part of Delphi Packard Electric's manufacturing footprint since 1987. The 1,800 employees at the 151,000-square-foot facility produce more than three million of wiring systems annually for several General Motors assembly plants in the United States and Canada. Employee commitment and a comprehensive implementation of the Lean-driven concepts within the Delphi Manufacturing System (DMS) have been able to drive operational improvements in cost, quality, delivery and productivity. Some of those improvements include: 20% reduction in customer complaints in 2003; 17% improvement in total cost compared to 2002; scrap reduction of 50% since 2000; first-time quality improvement 72% since 2001; and productivity increase of 35% compared to 2000.

Delphi Packard, Plant 98

Delphi Corporation, Packard Electric Systems, Centro Tecnico Herramental S.A de C.V, Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila.

With a wide variety of products and processes, CENTEC employees are flexible and skillful in successfully delivering parts to nearly 40 customers around the world. The majority of customers are in the US and Mexico, but several are also located in Europe, South America and Asia. The Delphi Manufacturing system drives the 470 CENTEC employees to continuous lean improvements. Elimination of waste, a 75-percent reduction in scrap and the Industria Limpia certification from the Mexican government for being environmentally sound are all part of the accomplishments of which CENTEC employees are very proud. Employees assemble wiring harnesses and their components and electric and electronic connectors. CENTEC now has a 0 IPM (incidents per million) on-time shipping record and have seen FTQ improve 87 percent since 1999. Continuous training of employees at all levels in daily skills and in lean implementation has led to the high quality at CENTEC.

Delphi Packard, Plant 51, Nuevo Casas Grandes Chihuahua, Mexico

Located in the PAQUIME area in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, Nuevo Casas Grandes began operations in March 1985. With strong customer-focused strategies and lean-driven concepts, this 165,000-square-foot plant builds and ships approximately 10,000,000 wiring systems annually to several General Motors vehicle assembly plants in the United States and Canada. The Casas Grandes Plant, which carries the slogan "The Best Plant by its People," has utilized the lean principles within the Delphi Manufacturing System to become one of the most successful plants in Delphi Packard's Mexico West Operations, with zero lost work days, over 80% reduction in RPPM (Rejected Parts Per Million), more than 50% reduction in Customer Complains, and 20% reduction in cost per shipped hour.

Maytag Jackson Dishwashing Products, Jackson, Tenn. -- Maytag Corporation's dishwasher plant is the first appliance manufacturer to earn the Shingo Prize. Associates belong to empowered High Performance Work Teams producing more than 100 dishwasher models daily, with brands including Maytag®, Jenn-Air® and Amana®. The Maytag LeanSigma® philosophy, which combines lean manufacturing methods with Six Sigma tools, was the path for transformation that began in 1999 and achieved significant improvements in Safety, Quality, Cost and Delivery, including a 64% reduction in OSHA recordable injury rate and 84% improvement in first pass quality yield. A very flexible single assembly line with capability to produce "any model/any day" was transformed into 8 single-piece-flow assembly cells with ability to produce "any model/any hour."

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson Operations, Tucson, Ariz. -- The employees at Raytheon Missile Systems proudly equip U.S. and allied warfighters with the latest technology to protect world freedom, including the Tomahawk Cruise Missile and Paveway(TM) laser guided bomb. Many of the company's products saw extensive use in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Raytheon's lean efforts have resulted in significant value improvements in product performance, stronger relationships and robust solutions for customers. Raytheon is committed to continue this journey to become a lean enterprise -- with speed, reliability and affordability -- and receiving the Shingo Prize has validated the firm's progress along the path to improvement.

TI Automotive, Cartersville, GA -- The plant produces more than 7.4 million brake and fuel bundles for Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz plants in both the United States and Canada. Cartersville team members operate by TI Automotive's own lean system of Common Sense Manufacturing, which is a passionate belief that there is always a simpler, better way. The plant has achieved single-digit ppm, 100 percent on time delivery and a 30 percent reduction in inventory levels. As the world's leading supplier of fluid storage, transfer and delivery systems, TI Automotive's more than 20,000 employees at 130 facilities worldwide are all dedicated to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.

Finalists

In addition to the Recipients listed, other finalists included Aspect Medical Systems, Newton, MA.; Delphi Lansing Cockpit Plant, Lansing, Mich.; Delphi Energy & Chassis, Saginaw, MI; Delphi Steering Plant 7, Saginaw, Mich.; GDX Automotive, Vehicle Sealing Products, Batesville, AR; GDX Automotive, New Haven, MO; Maytag-Searcy Laundry Products, Searcy, AR; Nemak Corporation of Canada-Windsor Aluminum Plant, Windsor, Ontario, Canada; TI Automotive, Brake Tube Assemblies, Greenville, TN. "Each of these plants are also outstanding in their manufacturing processes," according to Robson.

The Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing, for manufacturers in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, is administered by the College of Business, Utah State University. Awards for the Recipients and Finalists will be presented at the 16th Annual Shingo Prize Conference and Awards Ceremony to be held May 20, 2004, at the Lexington Convention Center, Lexington, KY. Speakers will include Gary Convis, President, Toyota Motor, Georgetown, KY and Masaaki Imai, Founder and Chairman, Kaizen, Institute, Tokyo, Japan, among others. For more information, go to www.shingoprize.org.

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